I've come across references to Baptist Street in Caernarfon but can't find it anywhere today. Where was it and what happened to it?

The best way for me to answer your question about Baptist Street is to give you instructions as to the location of where it used to be.

Going up to the top of Pool Street and on the right hand side is New Street and further up, still on the same side, is Garnons Street. Now inbetween there is a narrow lane with Bob Jones, Butcher on one side and the Indian Resturant on the other side. That was the entrance to Baptist Street and the reason why it was so called was that it was at the back of the Baptist Chapel, CAERSALEM, the front entrance of which is in Garnons Street.

In the 19th century this was a slum area and many drunks lived there and there was much fighting going on amongst the residents, hence the street had the nickname locally of "Stryd Waterloo" for obvious reasons. You can walk down the narrow lane today and come out in Chapel Street by where the Council Flats for the elderly are situated.

I hope you have sufficient knowledge of the area to be able to follow the instructions.

Regards,

T Meirion Hughes