From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Exeter Exchange
Exeter Exchange
Engraving of Exeter Exchange from 1829, viewed from the east,
looking west down the Strand.
The Exeter Exchange (popularly known as Exeter
Change)
Change was a building on the north side of the Strand
in London, with an arcade extending partway across the
carriageway. It is most famous for the menagerie that oc-
cupied its upper floors for over 50 years, from 1773 until
it was demolished in 1829.
Exeter Exchange was built in 1676, on the site of the
demolished Exeter House (formerly Burghley House and
Cecil House), London residence of the Earls of Exeter, Edward Cross, 1838
almost opposite the Savoy. Around the same time, the
nearby Burleigh Street and Exeter Street were laid out. man of the Guard. His bad-tempered elephant, Chunee,
The Exeter Exchange originally housed small shops was shot there in March 1826 by soldiers from Somerset
(milliners, drapers, hosiers) on the ground floor, and House. When the Exeter Exchange was demolished in
rooms above which were let to the Land Bank. Over time, 1829, as part of general improvements to the Strand, the
the traders on the ground floor were replaced by offices, animals were dispersed to the new London Zoo in Re-
and the upper rooms were used for storage. gent’s Park and Cross’s new enterprise at Surrey Zoologi-
From 1773, the upper rooms were let to a series of cal Gardens.
impresarios who operated a menagerie in competition Exeter Hall was built on the site, opening in 1831
with the Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London. The and surviving until 1907. The site is now occupied by the
menagerie at the Exeter Exchange included lions, tigers, Strand Palace Hotel.
monkeys, and other exotic species, all confined in iron
cages in small rooms. The roaring of the big cats could
be heard in the street below, occasionally scaring horses
that passed by. It was owned by the Pidcock family and
then Stephani Polito, both operators of travelling circus-
es, who used the Exeter Exchange as winter quarters for
their animals. The menagerie was a popular visitor at-
traction. It was visited by Wordsworth and Byron; artists
such as Edwin Landseer and Jacques-Laurent Agasse
painted the animals.
Polito died in 1814, and the menagerie was acquired
by one of his former employees, Edward Cross. Cross re-
named the collection the Royal Grand National Menagerie, The menagerie at Exeter ’Change, ca 1820
and employed a doorkeeper who was dressed as a Yeo-
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Exeter Exchange
References • Destruction of a Furious Elephant (Lithographic
print, 6 March 1826)
• Destruction of the Noble Elephant (Hand-coloured
External links print, c.1826)
• The Exeter Exchange, The Strand, London
• History of Covent Garden, In And Around Covent
Coordinates: 51°30′40″N 0°07′16″W / 51.511°N 0.121°W /
Garden, 2004.
51.511; -0.121
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Exeter_Exchange&oldid=448061544"
Categories:
• London building and structure stubs
• Entertainment in London
• Retail buildings in London
• Former buildings and structures of Westminster
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