| The Cock sign | |||||||||
| Location: | Sutton High Street | ||||||||
| Location City: | London | ||||||||
| Location Country: | England | ||||||||
| Coordinates: | 51.3612°N -0.1921°W | ||||||||
| Start Date: | 1907 | ||||||||
| Relocated Date: | c. 1915 | ||||||||
| Height: | 3m (10feet) | ||||||||
| Architecture Firm: | Hart, Son, Peard and Co. | ||||||||
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The Cock sign is situated on the crossroads of Sutton High Street and Carshalton Road in the London Borough of Sutton. Built in 1907, it was originally a pub sign for The Cock hotel and pub, before being converted into a road sign and lamp post. Since 2018, The Cock sign has been a Grade II listed structure.
The Cock Hotel in Sutton was so named as London and Sutton were an historic centre for cockfighting.[1] It was on a main road from London to Brighton, and at one point in history, it was used as a post office.[1] The hotel was at one time owned by boxer John Johnson, also known as "Gentleman Jackson", who earned the boxing title Champion of England.[2] In 1898, the original Cock Hotel was partially demolished so that the street could be widened.
The Cock sign was built in 1907 by Hart, Son, Peard and Co.[3] [4] It originally stood on a timber frame outside The Cock Hotel and pub on Sutton High Street.[3] [5] [4] When the hotel was completely demolished in 1914, the sign was moved to its present location on the crossroads of Sutton High Street and Carshalton Road.[5] [6] In around 1915, The Cock sign was converted into a road sign.[7] [8] At that time, the name of the hotel was removed from the sign.[5]
The Cock sign is on a 3adj=midNaNadj=mid column,[4] made out of steel and wrought iron.[3] Originally the sign had a gas-lit light, and two lanterns.[3] The light was later converted to use electricity, and the lanterns were removed before the sign was moved in 1915.[3] [7] The fingerposts on The Cock sign point to Cheam, Worcester Park, Carshalton, Croydon, Banstead, Reigate, Mitcham, and London.[3] The road layout was changed in the late 20th century, but The Cock sign remained.[3] The crossroads where the sign stands is known as The Cock crossroads,[2] and is situated a few metres away from the location of The Cock hotel and pub.[3] In 2018, The Cock sign became a Grade II listed structure.[7] [8] It was one of three places in South London that Historic England listed in 2018.[8] In 2020, the sign was temporarily taken down for restoration work.[5]