On this page are two photographs that are over 100 years old and are reproduced with permission of the Droitwich Heritage and Information Centre.
This photograph was taken before the station was rebuilt in 1899. This shows the original Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railways buildings built in 1852. A number of people are standing on the Worcester bound platform and there is a horse on the railway line. Beyond the footbridge is a road bridge that is still extant. The sidings beyond the bridge were in later times occupied by the N.C.B. (Underwoods) but at this time the wagons probably contained salt from the Covercroft salt works.
The 'Salt King', John Corbett, supplied finance and some of his land to enable the rebuilding of Droitwich station in 1899. This photograph appears to show the railway station staff, some civic dignitaries and a few onlookers awaiting the arrival of the officials who were to open the new station. In the ordinary course of events, John Corbett would certainly have been present to open the station but was unable to attend due to ill health and a death in the family. The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Weekly Messenger produced a special supplement to commemorate the opening of the new station and they described the scene shown above in glowing terms: 'A large ornamental arch crosses the drive. This was composed of evergreens the supporting poles extending above the top of the arch. The inside of the arch was lined with red, blue and white materials - the national colours. A number of shields of all descriptions were arranged on the outside and ornaments worked in rock salt also occupied prominent positions'
In the absence of John Corbett, the opening ceremony on Saturday 3rd June 1899, was performed by Sir A.F.Godson M.P.