This photograph was taken looking west from Woodbury Hill. It was taken by J.W.Boswell; the village's first photographer, whose other occupations included being a decorator. The main road to Poole enters at the left of the picture, while the lane to its right is Blind Street. The church is very prominent at the left and in its pre-restoration state. Particularly noticeable in this early-Spring photo is the lack of bushes, trees and shrubs anywhere in the village. It is sobering to think that at this time the London Underground work began as the first underground railway in the world, while in America the Civil War was raging with the Confederates' best general Stonewall Jackson dying after being accidentally shot by one of his own sentries. Meanwhile in China General Gordon was battling the Tai Ping rebels!

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