The center of the village.
A Valentine's Series card of the village square not long after the turn of the 20th century. The Dartmoor Archive has a copy of this card sent in 1904.
A wonderful collection of charabancs are waiting in the square for their passengers to return. A Chapman card SN: 15850. Messrs Bowden are advertising cars for hire from their cafe. The previous serial numbered card to this one has been tentatively dated to 1923.
Although entitled Tavistock Road this postcard is much better placed in the Duchy Square section. Postally used in 1953 it shows a quite bucolic scene, in addition to the usual Dartmoor Ponies wandering around, cattle and even a rogue chicken are on the scene.
A Harvey Barton card of the 1950's. Judging by the stance of the gentleman on the left, I guess he hasn't had too comfortable a ride in that coach.
A mystery scene! The Duchy Hotel/Prison Officer's Mess is decorated in a patriotic fashion. A royal visit perhaps? On the other hand there are several gentlemen walking around with armbands tied to their left arms, also notice what seems to be an Army lorry at the centre of the picture. Could this be the scene when during WWII the LDV were first formed? The LDV were the Local Defence Volunteers, the predecessors of the Home Guard and they had their own platoon in Princetown. I have little information about their work during wartime in the village, but I would be delighted to hear from you if you have any information.