By the late 19" century there were three major breweries supplying ales and beers for public houses throughout the Three Towns' of Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport. The Octagon Brewery was one of the many smaller ones started about 1899. It later owned many taverns throughout the 'Three Towns'. These Pubs displayed the distinctive brewery logo of an OB within an octagon shape. Some of the bottled favourites included OB Stout Pale Ale and Indian Pale Ale No1.

The Works was built in the 1880s. It supplied sheet, pipe, white lead, putty, solder, oil, varnish, zinc, etc. mainly for the gas, water and roofing Industries in the Plymouth area. Working conditions in lead works were dangerous, involving the handling of corrosive substances and inhaling of poisonous fumes. As a result the life expectancy of a lead worker was far less than the average

When the imposing Town Hall was built in the 1850s it was the tallest in East Stonehouse and was the centre of the Town administration. Sited next door were two other important buildings, the Fire Station and the Police Station. The Town Hall boasted a ballroom, measuring 40ft by 80ft and 40ft high perched above the offices. Sadly the whole building was destroyed by incendiary bombs during World War II.