‘Taxi!’ - A Victorian Taxi Rank

‘What on earth is this?’ I asked myself when walking in town earlier today. I was intrigued. 

A bit of research and I’ve discovered that it’s actually a bit of Victorian transport history. 

It’s a Taxi Rank sign - a Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Stance! 

This one is on the kerb towards the west end of Queen Street in Edinburgh. (CS1 apparently means that it was a stance for one carriage only) and there are quite a few of them (including at least one CS4!) still in existence on kerbs in the city.

Around 1900, there were around 70 such stances all around Edinburgh and neighbouring Leith. 

Their whereabouts, as well as fascinating information about regulations and fares, are to be found in ‘Post Office Edinburgh and Leith Directory 1903-4, Hackney Carriages in Edinburgh’  p979 & 980 (link below)

Great to see that at some of these lesser known pieces of Victorian street furniture still exist!

Got me wondering too, who else has spotted similar echos from the past?

https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/83742334?mode=transcription

https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/83742346?mode=transcription