The square and its gardens were the brainchild of William Cross - a local based solicitor. It was originally established and developed as a restricted development and exclusive residential area, overseen by William and his wife in 1801. He took the square's name from the former owner, Thomas Winckley, from whom the site was purchased. The square's gardens originally comprised of private plots owned by residents. Later it became a public park, which included the Sir Robert Peel statue being erected by public subscription in 1852. More recently Winckley Square underwent a £1.2m restoration and once again is a jewel in the crown of Preston. READ MORE: Look back at the streets of Preston. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: More old pictures of Preston streets. MORE MEMORIES: Weird and wonderful things you can expect to experience in Preston
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![If it weren't for the age of the cars you might think this was a modern-day scene of Preston's Winckley Square - but it was taken in the 1970s](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjFiYWU5ODhhLTJiMjQtNDlmMC1iNTNjLTQ5ZjU4MGJjN2Y4ZDowNWYwN2E0NC00MTMxLTQyNzctODNjZC01Y2U5OGEyMmNmZWM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Winckley Square through the years
If it weren't for the age of the cars you might think this was a modern-day scene of Preston's Winckley Square - but it was taken in the 1970s Photo: Archive
![This fantastic image shows Winckley Street in Preston in the 1930s](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY5MjViMWQ0LWUwNTYtNDFhYS04MGQ3LTJkNTM0YTY4OTkyODplYzI0MDVlZi0wYzE1LTRjMDQtYTNhYy02NmI2ODVhYmNhMGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Winckley Square through the years
This fantastic image shows Winckley Street in Preston in the 1930s Photo: Archive
![The final resting spot of Preston businessman Mr James Todd. When he died in 1931 his ashes were placed in container which was secreted in the outer wall of his office overlooking Winckley Square gardens](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmM5OWI1MDk5LTBmYTQtNDBjYy04MWU3LWU2N2FkOTg4MTZmODpjNDhjYmFhMy1kMTMwLTQ1OTctOTRlZC1lZDYyZGIwNzQ4YWU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Winckley Square through the years
The final resting spot of Preston businessman Mr James Todd. When he died in 1931 his ashes were placed in container which was secreted in the outer wall of his office overlooking Winckley Square gardens Photo: Kevin McGuinness
![Winckley House on Winckley Square, Preston in 1984](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJiY2JlNjZhLWE0ODctNDk0ZC1hOTI4LTQ0NTc4MWNmOTY4MDoyMDU3ZDRlMC01MTU5LTQ1NGItOTdmMS05MmM3YzgwZmIyODQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Winckley Square through the years
Winckley House on Winckley Square, Preston in 1984 Photo: Archive