Amelia Street predated most of the streets in the area being of eighteenth century origin.
James Pullen & Son, who advertised themselves as “lead burners and manufacturers of the patent cast lead D trap & plumbers’, tinmen’s and blow pipe solder”, had a builder’s yard in Amelia Street and traded from premises at 73 Penton Place, Kennington Park Road.
Pullen acquired property in the area and the first block was erected in 1886 at the Penton Place end of Amelia Street. This was surrounded by controversy, as by-law approval for the development had been refused by the Metropolitan Board of Works.
The first two blocks were condemned upon completion but that they were allowed to remain when Mr Pullen agreed to change the design.
During the 1980s the buildings between Manor Place and the south side of Amelia Street were demolished by the council using their housing improvement powers. The demolition of the rest of the Pullens Estate was prevented when squatters, intent on preserving the remainder of an individual late Victorian estate, occupied some of the blocks. 360 of the original 684 flats remain.
The south side of Amelia Street is now an enclosed open space, Pullens Gardens, has been created following the demolition of its tenement block.
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I lived in Amelia street from 1950 until 1959 and have fond memories of playing hide and seek, tin tan tommy, hop scotch, rounders, and skipping etc. in the road as there was only one or two cars parked down there then. Coal for your fire and milk were delivered by horse and cart many of which were, I believe, stabled in the railway arches accessed form this street. I was allowed to feed them occasionally with a raw carrot.
I went to St Johns Larcom street school and also sang in the choir in the church. I spent a lot of time in Manor place swimming baths and on leaving there would cross the road and buy a bag of chips for 4d (1 1/2 pence in todays money) As I got older I was allowed to make my way to Kennington park or buying a 1 penny ice lolly on route, sometimes I went to East street market and often bought an icecream cone at Rossy’s on the corner of the Walworth road. The market was busy then and it was good to hear the stallholders shouting out their wares. Other times I would go to the Imperial war museum or catch a bus to the Tower of London or Trafalgar square and feed the pigeons. Looking back it appears life for children then was better as they could be more adventurous while remaining safe.