Some history of the Olive Tree on Ladypool Road at Sparkbrook in Birmingham in the County of Warwickshire

Birmingham | Ladypool Road | Olive Tree

The Olive Tree was a beer house located on the eastern side of Ladypool Lane, at the junction of Thomas Street. The latter was a continuation of Highgate Road and would eventually adopt that name.

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A lesser-known hostelry on Ladypool Lane, I found the Olive Tree through following a trade directory along Ladypool Road, coupled with the route of the census enumerator. Later directories tended to list the western side of Ladypool Lane first but this is not the pattern with earlier listings. The Olive Tree is placed near the junction of Thomas Street. As all of the buildings seen on the above map extract have gone, and I have not seen an early photograph of the road junction, I was not sure if the Olive Tree was the building on the corner or the larger property immediately south. However, I believe the latter was named Bardon House and the residence of the Woller family.

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It is likely that the Olive Branch was a beer house with a short lifespan. Here however, the premises can be seen next to Bardon House, the home of the Woller family of watchmakers. Born in Germany, Charles Woller had for many years traded in Edgbaston Street. The freehold of Bardon House was put on the market following his death in 1872. The residence between Bardon House and Oakfield Lodge was occupied by Catherine and Rebecca Caddick, sisters who were recorded as house proprietors.

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