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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

ARMY BARRACKS AND DEPOTS

RACKET COURT BARRACKS, DEVONPORT

The Racket Court Barracks was located at the rear of Clowance Street, Devonport. They were private dwellings bought by the Government for use as barracks in an emergency but were not calculated for the purpose. 

It apparently derived its name from a court for playing tennis which existed on the site.  After the downfall of Napoleon the Barracks were sold to Messrs Harris, who converted it into an amphitheatre.  The main entrance remained in Clowance Street.  It became used more for circus performances because it had sufficient stabling for all the animals that a circus might require.  With the pit and gallery, it could accommodate an audience of around 600 people.  [1]

Sources:

[1]  "The Tourist's Companion Being a Guide to the Towns of Plymouth, Plymouth-Dock, Stonehouse, Morice-Town, Stoke and their Vicinities", Messrs Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1823.

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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