Figure 1.--This turn of the 20th century magic lantern slide shows the children's goat ride at Margate beach. Note the headwear everyine has. We see boasrers, peaked school caps, wide-brimmed hats. The boys leading the goats have caps (we are not sure about the type) identifying them as attrction employeess. Note they are wearing long pants. Boys this age still in school and from more afflent families probably would have been wearing knee pants or knickers.

Margate like neighboring Ramsgate has been a popular holiday destination for Londoners because of the wide sandy beaches. Bathing machines were ised throughout the 19th century. They were described as, "... four-wheeled carriages, covered with canvas, and having at one end of them an umbrella of the same materials which is let down to the surface of the water, so that the bather descending from the machine by a few steps is concealed from the public view, whereby the most refined female is enabled to enjoy the advantages of the sea with the strictest delicacy." (1805) A popular pier was added during the Victorian pier. Eventually the Dreamland amusement park was added (1900). It was featured in "The Jolly Boys' Outing" extended episode of the television series 'Only Fools and Horses'. Dreamland is situated in the center of Margate. It closed (2006), but reopened following a lengthy campaign by the "Save Dreamland Campaign" group (2015). The Scenic Railway roller coaster at Dreamland is the second oldest in the world. It is is one of only two early-20th century scenic railways still remaining in Btitain. The Margate roller coaster is an ACE Coaster Classic. The Margate Caves (Vortigern Caves) are situated at the bottom of Northdown Road. The Shell Grotto, which has walls and roof covered in elaborate decorations of over four million shells covering 2,000 square feet (190 m2) in complex patterns, was rediscovered in 1835, but is of unknown age and origin. The Walpole Bay Tidal Pool was built (1937). The pool covers over four acres. The water in the pool is refreshed by the incoming tide twice a day and fresh water springs rise from the beach within the walls.

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Sailor suits] [Sailor hats] [Buster Brown suits]
[Eton suits] [Rompers] [Tunics] [Smocks] [Pinafores]

Created: 2:43 PM 3/28/2021
Last updated: 2:43 PM 3/28/2021