Camborne Town Trail

Camborne Library & Trevithick Memorial Statue

This grand public building was designed by Sylvanus Trevail, a well-known Cornish architect and paid for byJ Passmore Edwards. The Library opened in 1895.

On the pavement outside is Richard Trevithick's statue. This was unveiled in 1932 by Prince George, in front of a crowd of thousands. Sculpted by LE Merrifield of Chelsea, it honours `The Cornish Giant' showing the inventor with a model of the Camborne locomotive under one arm and holding a pair of dividers in the other. Look at the panels on the plinth showing some of his other inventions.

With your back to the library door, you face an area called The Cross. The building to your left is the former Council Offices and Fire Station. Opposite are the Public Rooms, built in 1890 for entertainment, political events and religious meetings. Holman Brothers took over the building in 1930 and later converted it into a museum which closed in 1978.

Masonic Hall

From the library turn into Cross Street. A few yards down on the right you'll find the Masonic Hall. This attractive building was constructed in 1899 as new premises for the Masonic Lodge. P Colville Smith laid the foundation stone and presented two of the four stained-glass windows.

Continue past the shops to the end of Cross Street . At the junction with Basset Road notice the large houses to your left, dating from the 19th century. This street was originally known as `De Dunstanville Terrace'. Lord de Dunstanville and Basset had a town house along here. On the corner of Basset Road and Basset Street is the Lanyon Building. This twin-turreted building was built in 1888 for the Lanyon family of doctors and surgeons.