I’ve got some new church posts to share soon but how about a new #signsofhistory item? I started doing these a few months back as a way of archiving interesting signs I come across that educate us on tales from the past. This one is awful!

![IMG_6015.jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/nicklewis/23xAc4PpSfGYvNL7n9enrwV6c2Fj8mLuZdBehQc7XX289vAFHcQGk9pg15JRV4iequU85.jpeg)

> The Cross Keys has history from the 16th century. It is one of the town's oldest buildings. This building was given a Grade Il listing in 1984.

> At the rear of the pub is the River Pang. This river is the supposed basis for Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows.
> This river is also the source of at least two ghosts haunting The Cross Keys. In the late 1800's, a number of people drowned when they tried to cross it when it was at full flood.
> Bystanders brought their bodies to this pub and The Swan on Shooters Hill. At least two ghosts have been witnessed on the ground floor of The Cross Keys. However, it was impossible to tell if they were men or women.

A tragic event indeed that belies the villages quiet feel these days. 

Does anyone know what “Cross Keys” means?

I believe it had something to do with the keys to heaven, kept by St Peter its gatekeeper. The connection with pubs may have something to do with pubs connections to churches. 

## Some other photos!
![IMG_6016.jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/nicklewis/23x1BFBWLpWBkNYszsR2Xi9cAaRZTT47Bqyrtu2dgrJYS1YdAoMfRZTXBs6oRjxATHM4s.jpeg)

![IMG_6013.jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/nicklewis/EpA31ZwojqqmQJFMQoHoxcXVMnw6opj2DcqPgwdF4JJSZZRHwtoataEKcG5NvgiM6kY.jpeg)