From Jerripedia
Looking towards First Tower from the west, along the Inner Road
First Tower is a western suburb of the town of St Helier. Its name is derived from the location of the first defensive round tower on the coast beyond the town; although it was not the first to be built. At one time, as shown in the photographs on this page, the tower was surmounted by a windmill.
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St Aubin's Road at First Tower
Today this is a largely residential area, including First Tower School, which is one of the island's longest established elementary schools. In the heyday of the Jersey Western Railway First Tower was the first station after West Park, but today all the island's commuter traffic from the west speeds past on Victoria Avenue, the main coastal route out of St Helier to the west, and the inner road, St Aubin's Road, without stopping.
Picture gallery
1881 Battle of Jersey centenary arch. Even 100 years after the battle the island had not learned how to spell Major Peirson's name. Photograph by
Ernest Baudoux
Click on any image to see a larger version
The view along the inner road from the west
First Tower from Westmount
Another view from Westmount
Victoria Avenue at First Tower
First Tower viewed from Victoria Avenue
The urban sprawl of First Tower
Bathing machines on the beach at First Tower in 1900
First Tower viewed from Westmount
The shop behind the car in the foreground was a butcher's for many years, run by a Mr Syvret in the 1950s, and now sells fishing tackle
A major building development at First Tower in the 2000s
First Tower with the windmill seen from St Aubin's Road
The crossroads of St Aubin's Road and Mont Cochon
Open fields to the north of First Tower would not remain undeveloped for long
First Tower from the west
First Tower viewed from Westmount
Late 1950s, before the road became a dual carriageway
The slipway at First Tower disappeared in the Occupation when the Germans built a bunker over it
An aerial view in 1981 - Picture courtesy of Jersey Evening Post
1975: the former Le Huquet's hairdressers with First Tower Discount Store behind
Picture courtesy of Jersey Temps Passe
First Tower Institute snooker room
First Tower Institute snooker room
German casemate - a relic of the Second World War
Businesses
Le Brun the baker. Was this the forerunner of the island's major bakery in the latter part of the 20th century?
Language lessons with the Rev J Hanau
Alfred Gallichan, ironmonger at First Tower in 1874
First Tower Basket Works, now the site of Les Vanniers flats