 
The Underground Map Added: 8 Mar 2021 15:05 GMT |
A plague on all your houses
Aldgate station is built directly on top of a vast plague pit, where thousands of bodies are apparently buried. No-one knows quite how many.
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Added: 21 Apr 2021 16:21 GMT |
Liverpool Street
the Bishopsgate station has existed since 1840 as a passenger station, but does not appear in the site’s cartography. Evidently, the 1860 map is in fact much earlier than that date.
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Tricia Added: 27 Apr 2021 12:05 GMT |
St George in the East Church
This Church was opened in 1729, designed by Hawksmore. Inside destroyed by incendrie bomb 16th April 1941. Rebuilt inside and finished in 1964. The building remained open most of the time in a temporary prefab.
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Graham O’Connell Added: 10 Apr 2021 10:24 GMT |
Lloyd & Sons, Tin Box Manufacturers (1859 - 1982)
A Lloyd & Sons occupied the wharf (now known as Lloyds Wharf, Mill Street) from the mid 19th Century to the late 20th Century. Best known for making tin boxes they also produced a range of things from petrol canisters to collecting tins. They won a notorious libel case in 1915 when a local councillor criticised the working conditions which, in fairness, weren’t great. There was a major fire here in 1929 but the company survived at least until 1982 and probably a year or two after that.
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The Underground Map Added: 20 Sep 2020 13:01 GMT |
Pepys starts diary
On 1 January 1659, Samuel Pepys started his famous daily diary and maintained it for ten years. The diary has become perhaps the most extensive source of information on this critical period of English history. Pepys never considered that his diary would be read by others. The original diary consisted of six volumes written in Shelton shorthand, which he had learned as an undergraduate on scholarship at Magdalene College, Cambridge. This shorthand was introduced in 1626, and was the same system Isaac Newton used when writing.
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Steven Shepherd Added: 4 Feb 2021 14:20 GMT |
Our House
I and my three brothers were born at 178 Pitfield Street. All of my Mothers Family (ADAMS) Lived in the area. There was an area behind the house where the Hoxton Stall holders would keep the barrows. The house was classed as a slum but was a large house with a basement. The basement had 2 rooms that must have been unchanged for many years it contained a ’copper’ used to boil and clean clothes and bedlinen and a large ’range’ a cast iron coal/log fired oven. Coal was delivered through a ’coal hole’ in the street which dropped through to the basement. The front of the house used to be a shop but unused while we lived there. I have many more happy memories of the house too many to put here.
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Added: 27 Jul 2021 14:31 GMT |
correction
Chaucer did not write Pilgrims Progress. His stories were called the Canterbury Tales
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Marion James Added: 12 Mar 2021 17:43 GMT |
26 Edith Street Haggerston
On Monday 11th October 1880 Charlotte Alice Haynes was born at 26 Edith Street Haggerston the home address of her parents her father Francis Haynes a Gilder by trade and her mother Charlotte Alice Haynes and her two older siblings Francis & George who all welcomed the new born baby girl into the world as they lived in part of the small Victorian terraced house which was shared by another family had an outlook view onto the world of the Imperial Gas Works site - a very grey drab reality of the life they were living as an East End working class family - 26 Edith Street no longer stands in 2021 - the small rundown polluted terrace houses of Edith Street are long since gone along with the Gas Companies buildings to be replaced with green open parkland that is popular in 21st century by the trendy residents of today - Charlotte Alice Haynes (1880-1973) is the wife of my Great Grand Uncle Henry Pickett (1878-1930) As I research my family history I slowly begin to understand the life my descendants had to live and the hardships that they went through to survive - London is my home and there are many areas of this great city I find many of my descendants living working and dying in - I am yet to find the golden chalice! But in all truthfulness my family history is so much more than hobby its an understanding of who I am as I gather their stories. Did Charlotte Alice Pickett nee Haynes go on to live a wonderful life - no I do not think so as she became a widow in 1930 worked in a canteen and never remarried living her life in and around Haggerston & Hackney until her death in 1973 with her final resting place at Manor Park Cemetery - I think Charlotte most likely excepted her lot in life like many women from her day, having been born in the Victorian era where the woman had less choice and standing in society, which is a sad state of affairs - So I will endeavour to write about Charlotte and the many other women in my family history to give them the voice of a life they so richly deserve to be recorded !
Edith Street was well situated for the new public transport of two railway stations in 1880 :- Haggerston Railway Station opened in 1867 & Cambridge Heath Railway Station opened in 1872
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Linda Added: 18 Feb 2021 22:03 GMT |
Pereira Street, E1
My grandfather Charles Suett lived in Periera Street & married a widowed neighbour there. They later moved to 33 Bullen House, Collingwood Street where my father was born.
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Added: 3 Jun 2021 15:50 GMT |
All Bar One
The capitalisation is wrong
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| LATEST LONDON-WIDE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROJECT |
Jude Allen Added: 29 Jul 2021 07:53 GMT |
Bra top
I jave a jewelled item of clothong worn by a revie girl.
It is red with diamante straps. Inside it jas a label Bermans Revue 16 Orange Street but I cannot find any info online about the revue only that 16 Orange Street used to be a theatre. Does any one know about the revue. I would be intesrested to imagine the wearer of the article and her London life.
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Kathleen Added: 28 Jul 2021 09:12 GMT |
Dunloe Avenue, N17
I was born in 1951,my grandparents lived at 5 Dunloe Avenue.I had photos of the coronation decorations in the area for 1953.The houses were rented out by Rowleys,their ’workers yard’ was at the top of Dunloe Avenue.The house was fairly big 3 bedroom with bath and toilet upstairs,and kitchenette downstairs -a fairly big garden.My Grandmother died 1980 and the house was taken back to be rented again
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Kathleen Added: 28 Jul 2021 08:59 GMT |
Spigurnell Road, N17
I was born and lived in Spigurnell Road no 32 from 1951.My father George lived in Spigurnell Road from 1930’s.When he died in’76 we moved to number 3 until I got married in 1982 and moved to Edmonton.Spigurnell Road was a great place to live.Number 32 was 2 up 2 down toilet out the back council house in those days
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Lewis Added: 27 Jul 2021 20:48 GMT |
Ploy
Allotment
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Added: 27 Jul 2021 14:31 GMT |
correction
Chaucer did not write Pilgrims Progress. His stories were called the Canterbury Tales
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old lady Added: 19 Jul 2021 11:58 GMT |
mis information
Cheltenham road was originally
Hall road not Hill rd
original street name printed on house still standing
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Patricia Bridges Added: 19 Jul 2021 10:57 GMT |
Lancefield Coachworks
My grandfather Tom Murray worked here
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Former Philbeach Gardens Resident Added: 14 Jul 2021 00:44 GMT |
Philbeach Gardens Resident (Al Stewart)
Al Stewart, who had huts in the 70s with the sings ’Year of the Cat’ and ’On The Borders’, lived in Philbeach Gdns for a while and referenced Earl’s Court in a couple of his songs.
I lived in Philbeach Gardens from a child until my late teens. For a few years, on one evening in the midst of Summer, you could hear Al Stewart songs ringing out across Philbeach Gardens, particularly from his album ’Time Passages". I don’t think Al was living there at the time but perhaps he came back to see some pals. Or perhaps the broadcasters were just his fans,like me.
Either way, it was a wonderful treat to hear!
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29 Aldgate High Street 29 Aldgate High Street is a demolished property, originally on the north side of Aldgate High Street.. 46 Aldgate High Street This Grade II Listed office building is one of the few timber-framed buildings in the City that predates the Great Fire of 1666. Aldgate Aldgate was one of the massive gates which defended the City from Roman times until 1760. Aldgate Holy Trinity Priory The Holy Trinity Priory, also known as Christchurch Aldgate, was a priory of Austin canons (Black Canons) founded around 1108 by Queen Matilda of England. Aldgate Pump Aldgate Pump is a historic water pump, located at the junction where Aldgate meets Fenchurch Street and Leadenhall Street. Altab Ali Park Altab Ali Park is a small park on Adler Street, White Church Lane and Whitechapel Road. Goodman’s Fields Theatre Two 18th century theatres bearing the name Goodman’s Fields Theatre were located on Alie Street, Whitechapel. Great Synagogue of London The Great Synagogue of London was, for centuries, the centre of Ashkenazi synagogue and Jewish life in London. It was destroyed during World War II, in the Blitz. London Metal Exchange The London Metal Exchange (LME) is the futures exchange with the world’s largest market in options and futures contracts on base and other metals. Portsoken Portsoken is one of 25 wards in the City of London, each electing an alderman to the Court of Aldermen and commoners (the City equivalent of a councillor) elected to the Court of Common Council of the City of London Corporation. St Augustine Papey St Augustine Papey was a mediaeval church in the City of London situated just south of London Wall. St Botolph’s St. Botolph’s without Aldgate, located on Aldgate High Street, has existed for over a thousand years. St James Duke’s Place St James Duke’s Place was an Anglican parish church in the Aldgate ward of the City of London. St Katharine Cree St Katharine Cree is a Church of England church on the north side of Leadenhall Street near Leadenhall Market.
St Mary Matfelon St Mary Matfelon church was popularly known as St Mary’s, Whitechapel. Toynbee Hall Toynbee Hall is a building which is the home of a charity of the same name. Adler Street, E1 Adler Street runs between the Whitechapel Road and the Commercial Road. Aldgate High Street, EC3N Once the route to one of the six original gates of the Wall of London, Aldgate High Street has an important place in medieval London’s history. Aldgate, EC3N Aldgate was the easternmost gateway through the London Wall leading from the City of London to Whitechapel and the East End. Alie Street, E1 Originally called Ayliff Street, Alie Street was named after a relative of William Leman, whose great-uncle, John Leman had bought Goodman’s Fields. Angel Alley, E1 Angel Alley was a narrow passage which ran north-south from Wentworth Street to Whitechapel High Street.. Arcadia Court, E1 Arcadia Court is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Artillery Lane, E1 The name Artillery Lane remembers the skills of the operators of the longbow. Assam Street, E1 Assam Street is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Batty Street, E1 Batty Street is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Bell Lane, E1 Bell Lane is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Bevis Marks, EC3A Bevis Marks is a short street in the ward of Aldgate in the City of London. Bishopsgate, EC2M Bishopsgate was originally the entry point for travellers coming from the north east into London. Black Lion Yard, E1 Black Lion Yard was a narrow thoroughfare running north-south from Old Montague Street (where it was accessible via a set of steps) to Whitechapel Road. Braham Street, E1 Braham Street is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Brick Lane, E1 Brick Lane runs north from the junction of Osborn Street, Old Montague Street and Wentworth Street, through Spitalfields to Bethnal Green Road. Brune Street, E1 Brune Street is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Brushfield Street, E1 Brushfield Street is a thoroughfare running east-west from Commercial Street to Bishopsgate. Buckle Street, E1 Buckle Street is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Bury Street, EC3A Bury Street is one of the streets of London in the EC3A postal area. Cobb Street, E1 Cobb Street is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. College East, E1 College East is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Commercial Street, E1 Commercial Street is a major thoroughfare running north-south from Shoreditch High Street to Whitechapel High Street. Corbet Place, E1 Corbet Place is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Crispin Place, E1 Crispin Place is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Cutler Street, E1 Cutler Street is one of the streets of London in the EC3A postal area. Dorset Street, E1 Dorset Street was a small thoroughfare running east-west from Crispin Street to Commercial Street. Fashion Street, E1 Fashion Street is a thoroughfare running east-west from Brick Lane to Commercial Street. Fournier Street, E1 Fournier Street is a street running east-west from Brick Lane to Commercial Street alongside Christ Church. Frostic Walk, E1 Frostic Walk leads from Chicksand Street to Old Montague Street. Frying Pan Alley, E1 Frying Pan Alley is situated close to Middlesex Street and its Petticoat Lane market. George Street, E1 George Street was a street running north-south from Flower and Dean Street to Wentworth Street, crossing Thrawl Street approx. half way along its length.. Goulston Street, E1 Goulston Street is a thoroughfare running north-south from Wentworth Street to Whitechapel High Street. Gravel Lane, E1 Gravel Lane is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Gun Street, E1 Gun Street was part of the Old Artillery Ground - land formerly designated one of the Liberties of the Tower of London. Hanbury Street, E1 Hanbury Street is a long road running west-east from Commercial Street to Vallance Road. Harrow Place, E1 Harrow Place is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Houndsditch, EC3A Houndsditch is one of the streets of London in the EC3A postal area. Kent and Essex Yard, E1 Kent and Essex Yard ran north of Whitechapel High Street, close to the west side of Commercial Street. Lamb Street, E1 Lamb Street is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Leyden Street, E1 Leyden Street is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Lolesworth Close, E1 Lolesworth Close is a short cul-de-sac on the east side of Commercial Street which was originally the western extremity of Flower and Dean Street. New Street, EC2M New Street is one of the streets of London in the EC2M postal area. Old Castle Street, E1 Old Castle Street runs north-south from Wentworth Street to Whitechapel High Street, the southern section of which incorporates the former Castle Alley, murder site of Ripper victim Alice McKenzie. Old Montague Street, E1 Old Montague Street is a thoroughfare running east-west from Baker’s Row (now Vallance Road) to Brick Lane. Osborn Street, E1 Osborn Street is a short road leading from Whitechapel Road to the crossroads with Brick Lane, Wentworth Street and Old Montague Street. Plumbers Row, E1 Plumbers Row is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Puma Court, E1 Puma Court is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Sandys Row, E1 Sandys Row is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Spital Square, E1 Spital Square was started in 1733 - Robert Seymour’s edition of Stow’s Survey of London re marked that "in place of this hospital (St. Mary Spital), ... are now built many handsome houses for merchants and others". St James’s Place, EC3A St James’s Place was an open square, formerly Broad Court, which held a daily market that sold fruits of various kinds. Staple Hall, EC3A Staple Hall is one of the streets of London in the EC3A postal area. Stothard Place, E1 Stothard Place is one of the streets of London in the EC2M postal area. Strype Street, E1 John Strype, who became an antiquary, historian and parson was the son of a Huguenot weaver and born here in 1643. The Arcade, EC2A The Arcade is one of the streets of London in the EC2M postal area. Thrawl Street, E1 Originally built by Henry Thrall (or Thrale) c.1656, Thrawl Street ran east-west from Brick Lane as far as George Street across a former tenter field owned by the Fossan brothers, Thomas and Lewis. Victoria Yard, E1 Victoria Yard is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Wentworth Street, E1 Wentworth Street runs east-west from the junction of Brick Lane, Osborn Street and Old Montague Street to Middlesex Street, forming part of the boundary between Spitalfields and St Mary’s Whitechapel. Whitechapel High Street, E1 Whitechapel High Street runs approximately west-east from Aldgate High Street to Whitechapel Road and is designated as part of the A11. Whites Row, E1 White’s Row is a narrow thoroughfare running east-west from Commercial Street to Crispin Street. Wilkes Street, E1 Wilkes Street is one of the streets of London in the E1 postal area. Astronomer This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Craft Beer Co This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Devonshire Terrace This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Dirty Dicks This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Duke of Somerset This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Enoteca This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Jamies This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Kings Stores This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Pause This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Still and Star The Still & Star was on Little Somerset Street near to Aldgate High Street. The Alice This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Breakfast Club This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Hoop & Grapes This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Magpie This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Woodins Shades This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Three Tuns This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. White Horse This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.
In a land east of Aldgate, lies the land of Aldgate East...
The name Commercial Road had been proposed for the original Aldgate East station, which opened on 6 October 1884 as part of an eastern extension to the Metropolitan District Railway (now the District Line), some 500 feet to the west of the current station, close to the Metropolitan Railway's Aldgate station. However, when the curve to join the Metropolitan Railway from Liverpool Street was built, the curve had to be particularly sharp due to the presence of Aldgate East station, at which it needed to be straight.
As part of London Transport's 1935-1940 New Works Programme, the triangular junction at Aldgate was enlarged, to allow for a much gentler curve and to ensure that trains held on any leg of the triangle did not foul the signals and points at other places. The new Aldgate East platforms were sited almost immediately to the east of their predecessors, with one exit facing west toward the original location, and another at the east end of the new platforms.
The new eastern exit was now close enough to the next station along the line, St Mary's (Whitechapel Road), that this station could also be closed, reducing operational overhead and journey times, as the new Aldgate East had effectively replaced two earlier stations.
The new station, opened on 31 October 1938 (the earlier station closing permanently the previous night), was designed to be completely subterranean, providing a much needed pedestrian underpass to the road above. However, in order to accommodate the space needed for this, and the platforms below, the existing track required lowering by more than seven feet. To achieve this task, whilst still keeping the track open during the day, the bed underneath the track was excavated, and the track held up by a timber trestle work. Then, once excavation was complete and the new station constructed around the site, an army of over 900 workmen lowered the whole track simultaneously in one night, utilising overhead hooks to suspend the track when necessary. The hooks still remain.
District and Hammersmith and City line trains running into Aldgate East along two sides of the triangle (from Liverpool Street and from Tower Hill) pass through the site of the earlier station, most of which has been obliterated by the current junction alignment, although the extensive width and height and irregular shape of the tunnel can be observed.
Since the station was built completely under a widened road, and was built after concrete had started to be used as a construction material, the platforms have a particularly high headroom. Combined with the late 1930s style of tiling typical of the stations of the then London Passenger Transport Board, the platform area of the station presents a particularly airy and welcoming appearance, unusual on the underground at the time of construction. The tiling contains relief tiles, showing devices pertinent to London Transport and the area it served, were designed by Harold Stabler and made by the Poole Pottery.
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Toynbee Hall is a building which is the home of a charity of the same name.
