George Soudon Bridgman was an architect and civil engineer, active in the late 19th century in Torquay, Devon and the local area.[2] He is best known for his work in the seaside resort of Paignton, designing Oldway Mansion and Paignton Pier within that town, as well as designing the sea wall and promenade at Paignton Beach. He was part of several other local projects and was considered as being so significant to the development of the town, that he became known as 'the Father of Paignton'.[3][4]
He was born in 1839.[5] His brothers were Albert Bridgman and Henry Hewitt Bridgman. He moved from Torquay to London, returning in 1864 to work at Harvey Brothers (Builders) in Torquay whilst he qualified for his architectural articles. Once qualified he set up his own architect's practice in Paignton, becoming a master mason.[6]
Frank Matcham joined his office at age fourteen, and returned to work for Bridgman as his chief assistant after being apprenticed to a quantity surveyor in London, before moving on to join the practice of Jethro Thomas Robinson.[7]
He was a freemason who gave a site for new lodge premises in Paignton and laid the foundation stone along with the secretary of the lodge on 15 April 1891.[8]
Notable works include Oldway Mansion, Paignton Pier and St Marychurch Town Hall.
In 1866, Bridgman received a prize of £25 for his design for St Marychurch Town Hall. The hall cost £2,718 to build and opened in November 1883. It was sold to a developer in 2005 and subsequently converted into flats.[13]
Bridgman married Miss E Norman (d. 28 March 1900) in 1863,setting up home at Courtland Road in Paignton. They had eight children, including Norman George Bridgman (b. 1869) who also became an architect.[6][14]
Following his first wife's death, Bridgman married Eliza (Lizzie) Black, and they moved back to Torquay in January 1902 where they lived until his death.[6]
George Soudon Bridgeman was an architect and civil engineer active, especially in Torquay, Devon, England, in the late-19th century.
Bridgeman is perhaps best known for his work at Oldway Mansion in Paignton, England. There, for the owner, Mr Isaac Merritt Singer (founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company Limited), he designed both the mansion and the 'Wigwam', a circular riding and exercising pavillion with a removable wooden floor in the grounds of the estate, in the early-1870s.
George Soudon Bridgman died age 86 on 3 April 1925.[5][6] He was buried in Paignton Municipal Cemetery.
Sources:
Dictionary of Scottish Architects, 'George Soudon Bridgeman', DSA Architect Biography Report <http://www.codexgeo.co.uk/dsa/...>[accessed 15 February 2008]
Elliot, John, 'Oldway Mansion', Homes and Gardens <; [accessed 15 February 2008]