HISTORY OF PORT EYNON
...... amongst the historic sites in Port Eynon is the Culver Hole, set into the cliffs to the east of Port Eynon and near the Salt House. The origins of Culver Hole are unknown, there being legends that is was an escape route from the nearby Salt House, the original building of which was owned by the Lucas family of Stouthall. It may also have had some connection with smuggling which was rife along the Gower coast. Most probably it was a very large pigeon house. This photograph was taken in 1856 by John Dillwyn Llewelyn of Penllergare and is no doubt the earliest photograph made here..
Port Eynon may also claim to be the source of the original ore for the brown paint of the old Great Western Railway. In the late 19th century, one of the directors of the railway was Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot of nearby Penrice. The Penrice estate then owned land in Port Eynon. When the question of a livery colour came up, Talbot immediately proposed brown, having a suitable site for the ore on his land.
For up to date information about the location of the paint mine, see the Gower Journal Volume 61 for 2010. Brian Taylor has written a very informative article and reproduced an Ordnance Survey map of 1878 showing it's location.
Famous residents have included the Welsh tenor Walter Glynne who lived in The Bungalow, now renamed Ty'r Gwynt. This is believed to be a photograph of him as a baby. The second photograph shows him with his women's choir in the 1950s. Anyone with any memories of Walter Glynne (Glynne Walters) please do let me know. Any other famous people lived here? Please email me - Richard Morris
BOOKS AND INFORMATION ON GOWER
Many books have been written about Gower over the years and some of these
include references to Port Eynon. Many of these may be out of print but might be
found in local books shop or on E-bay. Amongst those known about are:
A Stroll through the Village of Port Eynon. Moya Jones and Dawn Watton. A few copies still available at the village bookstall at Veronica's Markets or Flea Markets. See events page for opening dates.
The Gower Society. Publish various booklets on Gower and also have an
annual journal. Details from Mrs Margaret Gillett, 7 Cambridge Gardens, Langland
SA3 4PP.
Royal Institution of South Wales. Talks and an annual publication 'Minerva'
Details from RISW, Swansea Museum, Victoria Road, Swansea SA1 1SN.
A Gower Anthology. Edited by David Rees.
Yesterdays Gower. J Mansel Thomas. ISBN 0 85008 747 X.
The Gower Coast. Edited by George Edmunds. ISBN 0 906570 00 X (hardback)
0 906501 8 (paperback).
Geology Explained in South Wales. T R Owen. ISBN 0 7153 5860 X.
Letters from Swansea. J E Ross. ISBN 0 7154 0617 5.
Glamorgan. Its History and Topography. C J O Evans.
Wild Wales. George Borrow.
A Journey through Gower. Howard Middleton-Jones. ISBN 0 7154 0716 3.
Gower Shipwrecks. P H Rees. I0 7154 0445 8
The Gower Yarns of Cyril Gwynn. Gower Society publication.
Vernacular Gower. Gower Society publication. . ISBN 0 902767 31 3
(paperback) 0 902767 32 1 (hardback).
Gower Farm Trail. Roscoe Howells.
A Gower Family. Robert Lucas. ISBN 0 86332 126 7.
A Guide to Gower. Gower Society publication.
The Gower Churches. Geoffrey R Orrin.
The Hidden Places of Wales. Feature Press Ltd
The Penrice and Margam MSS. Collected by Emily Talbot. Ancient
manuscripts relating to properties owned by the Penrice Estate from the 12th
century..
We welcome the addition of any other titles.