Garages on this site on this site.
It should be noted that 54, 56 Castle Street used to connect to the larger workshop area that could be accessed via Dolphin Passage and Dolphin Lane.
1847 history, gazetteer of kent - Hills Edward 3 castle st (renumbered 54 in 1862)
c1855
1862 Kellys directory - Hills Edward coachbuilder 54 castle st
Date unknown Photo shows Hills Coach Builder
13 January 1888 Dover Express - The castle Street Fire
1887 Pikes listing
54 - Hills, E & Sons, coach builders (tele 253)
Cresswell & Newman architects, Cresswell Joseph
The Proprietary Library
Graham, Alfred
56 - Pepper, Joseph B, butcher
Here is Dolphin Passage
5 October 1888 Dover Express - BUILDING NOTICE. The Surveyor reported upon the notice of Messers, Creswell and Newman to erect a paint shop at 54 Castle Street. The Plans were approved.
1890 Pikes
54 - Hills, E & Sons, coach builders (tele 253)
Cresswell & Newman architects & civil engineers Cresswell J (Assoc M.I.C.E.)
Graham, Alfred
Y.W.C.A Institute
58 - Pepper, Joseph B, butcher
Here is Dolphin Passage
1907 Pikes - Creswell and Newman, architects and civil engineers Cresswell J (Assoc M.I.C.E.)
30 May 1913 Dover Express - NEW DOVER TAXI. The Dover Motor Company, who some months ago, commenced business in Castle Street, have added to their taxis a new up-to-date Metalurique of their own manufacture at their works, Castle Street. The chassis, which is fitted by Messers Palmer, and the work is a credit to both firms, the appearance being exceedingly handsome, and equal in every respect to a private car. On Wednesday it went for a trial trip to Ramsgate and back, and showed its fine hill-climbing power, its beautiful smooth running, and its speed. It is the first of this type of car, of which the Dover Motor Company intend to add a number, and which we are sure will prove exceedingly popular in Dover.
4 July 1913 Dover Express - Smart Telephone Boy wanted; a good chance to pick up a knowledge of motors etc. - Apply, Dover Motor Co Ltd, 54 Castle Street, Dover.
1914 Pikes Directory - Dover Motor Company (Ltd). automobile and general engineers (Tel 346)
10 July 1914 Dover Express - Explosion at Garage - Two Men Injured - Last Saturday morning after 9 o'clock and explosion occurred at the works of Dover Motor Company, Castle Street. Two men motor fitters, Frank Huggett, of the Clarendon Hotel, and Stanley Griggs, of 26 Military Hill, were seriously injured by the bursting of a 26 gallon petrol tank at the Dover Motor Company's garage in Castle Street. The tank, a leaking one, was empty, and the men were engaged in soldering it when the tank burst. Griggs was badly gashed across the forehead and his eyes slightly injured. Huggetts left ear was badly split, and his eyes injured. They were conveyed to hospital in the firm's motor car, where injuries were attended to by Dr Gibson, Locum tenens to the House Surgeon, and detained.
21 May 1915 Dover Express - Wanted at once, two smart Garage and Telephone Boys; with a chance of learning the trade; wages to start 5s. per week. - Apply, Dover Motor Co, 54 Castle Street, Dover
7 July 1916 Dover Express - Advert - Dover Motor Co, 54 Castle Street
8 October 1920 Dover Express - Serious Fire at the Dover Motor Company's Works
1923 Pikes - Dover Motor Co Ltd
20 April 1923 Dover Express - It is announced that Messers, Sheridan and Tyson have purchased the motor business carried out by Dover Motor Company (now in liquidation) at 54, Castle Street, and at the Antwerp Garage (next to Messers, Flashman and Co). They are trading under the name of "Dover Autocar Company".
1927 Pikes Directory - Dover Autocar Co (Tele 55)
1931-2 Pikes Dover Autocar Co Ltd. 54 and Antwerp Garage Castle Street, and Effingham Crescent.
9 Feb 1934 Dover Express - advert Dover Autocar Co Ltd, 54 Castle Street
27 April 1934 - Dover Express - Advert for Dover Autocar Co Ltd, 54 Castle Street.
1939-40 Pikes - Dover Autocar Ltd 54-56 castle St, and
Antwerp Garage, castle Street
Dolphin Passage
Car ferry garage, Dover commercial buildings limekiln st
19 Dec 1941 Dover Express - PUBLIC NOTICE. The Dover Autocar Co Ltd. - Owing to war conditions and very large percentage of the staff joining the Colours and National Service, the Directors have decided to close the repair shop and garage in Dolphin Lane for the duration of the war.
The Taxis Service has been taken over by a former Member of Staff for the duration of the war.
The Antwerp garage will continue to operate as before.
The Directors would like to take this opportunity to thank the many patrons for their support over a period of 20 years, and hope the day may not be long away when the Company may be able to resume its activities and welcome many members of their Staff back who are now serving at Home and Overseas.
1 Feb 1946 - Dover Express - Please note that Frentax have moved to a larger garage in castle street. - New address is 54 Castle Street. Phone: No. 275.
circa 1947 - Loaned image: B Hollingsbee Collection held at Dover Museum
28 Feb 1947 Dover Express - Advert - Frentax -
1948-9 Pikes - H.J. Sawyer
6 Feb 1948 - Dover Express - H.J Sawyer (Dover) Ltd, are pleased to announce the opening of premises at 54 Castle Street, almost adjoining the Granada Cinema; taxis available daily 8am to midnight; for all night service ring 777; weekly garaging also available
21 May 1948 Dover Express - Advert by Sawyer
1950 kellys - Sawyer H. J. (Dover) Ltd
Reference Dover Historian (a great website)
April 1951 - Folkestone motor Company redeveloped the site
1952 - Kennex Coachworks (part of Folkestone Motor Company) are established on new site
27 June 1955 - Fire broke out and the building was nearly gutted
1953 kellys -
Folkestone Motor Co Ltd (engineers, body builders; main Austin distributors), 54 & 56 Castle st & Dolphin passage telephone Dover 1780 (3 line) (listed in motor car agents and dealers)
Kenex Coach Works Ltd, 56 Castle Street. (listed in motor car body builders)
1956 kellys - has two entries for 54 - 56 Castle Street
54 & 56 - Folkestone Motor Co Ltd - automobile engineers, body builders, agents & dealers (main Austin distributors) Telephone, Dover 1780 (3 lines)
54 & 56 - Kenex Coach Works Ltd - motor car body builders. Tel 1780 (3 lines)
1959 Kellys - 54 & 56 - Kenex Coach Works Ltd - motor car body builders. Tel 1780 (3 lines)
1959 - Kenex Move out and establish a site at Barwick Road, Coombe Valley
23 Oct 1959 Dover Express - County Motors Castle St and Woolcomber St
1960 (BT) - County Motors - Henlys (Dover) Ltd, Wks & Stores. Tel Dover 2103
1961-2 Kent Trade Directory - FM Austin Dealers, 54 Castle Street
Glenn's note, I assume FM is Folkestone Motor Company as they are also at woolcomber st
1962 kellys - 54 & 56 - Henlys Dover Ltd, motor car accessories
1965 kellys - Henlys (Dover) Ltd, retail dealers for Austin, Riley & B.M.C service, Showrooms, Austin House, Castle street, used car display & sales, Gateway garage, Woolcomber st. Tel Dover2103/5
1967 kellys - Henlys (Dover) Ltd motor accessories
1969 kellys - Henlys (Dover) Ltd, retail dealers for Austin, Riley & B.M.C service, Showrooms, Austin House, Castle street, used car display & sales, Gateway garage, Woolcomber st. Tel Dover 2103/5
c1976 - Martin Walter move in to the old Henlys Site from their old site (where B&Q go).
1994 - the site is demolished