 The flint reef in the bed of the river at this point gave rise to a ford, which then provided the foundations for the celebrated bridge.During the 18th and 19th centuries, St Ives was a hub of trade and navigation, and the town had dozens of inns and many bawdy houses .Goods were brought into the town on barges, and livestock rested on the last fattening grounds before delivery to London's Smithfield Market.