Islington E-K

The introduction can be found here

First published 1986: Islington Local History Education Trust
Digital edition (revised) 2017: Islington Heritage Service


Islington A-D
Islington E-K (this page)
Islington L-R
Islington S-Z


EAGLE COURT, St. John’s Lane.
Was there in 1720,
Eagle Court Board School 1874-1918. Day Continuation School, 1923. Used later by the College for the Distributive
Trades.
EAGLE DWELLINGS, 212 City Road (1885)
EAGLE HOUSE, Hornsey Road (1975)
EARLOM HOUSE, Margery Street ( 1932)
Richard Earlom (1743-1822), mezzotint engraver, lived for some years in Rosoman Street and died in Exmouth
Street.
EARLSFERRY WAY, Bemerton Estate (1973)
EARLSTOKE STREET
Before 1935 Upper Smith Street, there in 1827.
Named after Maria Smith of Erie Stoke, Wiltshire, who in 1787 married Charles, 9th Earl of Northampton.
EARNSHAW HOUSE, Percival Street (1949)
Thomas Earnshaw (1749-1829), pioneer of chronometers, a watchmaker and the inventor of the cylindrical balance
spring.
EAST SIDE. Stroud Green (Duval’s Lane, east side)
Used in records, 1815-34.
EAST STREET (c. 1879-81) By 1938 part of Gifford Street.
EAST TERRACE. Dresden Road 1881 By 1887, nos. 67-87 Dresden Road.
EAST VILLA
Metropolitan Benefit Society’s Cottages. On Register of Electors as early as 1885.
EASTON STREET, WC1 (1819)
EATON PLACE, Shepperton Place
Used 1848-1851.
EBURNE ROAD
Up to 1938 Grafton Road (1855).
The name commemorates the charitable endowments of Mrs. Susanna Eburne, died 11 September 1812.
John Timbs FSA (1801-1875) antiquary and writer was at ‘Seymour Cottage’. Timbs home was on the site of the
Grafton Junior Mixed School opened 18th of Auqust 1879.
Taken over by the LCC 1904. Re-modelled 1915-16. A primary school with effect from 1947.
The GRAFTON MISSION HALL closed 12th August 1978.
For the Salterton Music Centre, Grafton School, see under SALTERTON ROAD.
ECCLESBOURNE ROAD
In 1878 were nos. 3-7, 13, 21-47a and 2-60. Before then and from 1825-1877 were the New Norfolk Street and St.
Matthew’s Schools (before 1854 St. Paul’s Infant Schools).
This road incorporates first Suffolk Street (1844), Marlborough Road (1855) and later includes Norfolk Street (or New
Norfolk Street).
Alterations are shown on an 1871 OS map but not in directories until 1878. Ecclesbourne Glen is north east of
Hastings.
Ecclesbourne Road Primary School (London School Board) opened 3 May 1886 as Ecclesbourne Road Board School.
BENTHAM COURT commenced in June 1946 (architect: H. C. H. Monson, MBE, FRIBA). Opened 17th of September
1949 by Mrs. C. R. Attlee. It was named after Dr. Ethel Bentham, MP for East Islington, 1929-1931.
ECKFORD STREET (c. 1855)
Before 1937 William Street (Wynford Road).
Named after the Rev. W. Eckford, a former Minister of the district, who on 12 August 1841 laid the foundation stone
of Charlotte Street, Caledonian Road Dissenting Meeting House. This was destroyed by enemy action, 20 April 1941
(known as Carne.g.ie Street Methodist Chapel).
EDDINGTON STREET, Tollington Park
Appeared from 1887 to 1974.
EDEN GROVE
Appears in rate books as early as 1815.
The Electric Lighting Station (Central Station), Eden Grove, was opened on March 4th, 1896 by the Lord Mayor, the
architect being A. Hessell Tiltman and the electric lighting engineer, Mr. Albert Gay, M. Inst. EE.
It was built by Messrs. MacFarlane of Holloway and was one of the most complete in England at the time with its 180
foot octagonal chimney shaft.
In April, 1948 fifty years of local municipal control of electricity came to an end. Eden Grove was a pioneer in the
London area.
MOUNT CARMEL RC SCHOOL. Opened 1967 as a voluntary aided Secondary School for Senior Girls, replacing Our
Lady of Sion School, By 1970 the Upper School was in Eden Grove, the Lower School in Westbourne Road.
CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF SION (Notre Dame de Sion). Architect: Frederick H. Pownall 1870. The Church of the
Sacred Heart dates from 1870, but was not consecrated until May 1928.
In 1972 work be.g.an on the building of the Eden Grove Community Centre, now an important parish and social
centre. WILLOW COURT 1968. The street was re-numbered by 1870 and various parts are of different periods, e.g.
49-65 (1867-9) but Cornwall Place 1815. See also RING CROSS.
EDEN PLACE, off Eden Grove (1825)
EDINBURGH COTTAGES, Popham Street (c. 1883-90)
Designed by a Mr. Worley.
EDISON SQUARE
Before 1937 BELL YARD (q.v.).
EDWARD CRESCENT, Charlotte Street (1846)
EDWARD PLACE, Copenhagen Street (1835)
EDWARD SQUARE, Caledonian Road (1853)
On 29 May 1888 the Earl of Meath, as Chairman of the Metropolitan Public Gardens and Boulevards Association
opened to the public as a garden the northern of two pieces of vacant ground. By 1969 the Square was closed.
EDWARD STREET, King’s Cross (1845)
After 1871 RAILWAY STREET.
EDWARD STREET, Barnsbury Road
After 1890 MAYGOOD STREET, see also VICTORIA STREET.
EDWARD TERRACE, Caledonian Road (1833)
By 1863 nos. 127 to 191 Caledonian Road and the ‘Sutton Arms’, Edward Terrace.
EDWARD TERRACE, Camden Road (1850)
By 1866 nos. 333 to 351 Camden Road.
EDWARDS COTTAGES, Canonbury Road
On the 1881 Census. Demolished 1956.
EDWARDS PLACE, St. Paul’s Road (1835).
EDWARDS STREET
On the 1855 rate book (6th Div.) p. 680.
In Blundell Street area.
ELAINE HOUSE
Re-name of the former Constable House, Thorpedale Road, October 1963.
ELCOM TERRACE, New North Road (1844)
No. 13 was occupied by Richard Elcom, the Clothworkers’ Company, since 1841 the ‘North Pole’ public house.
Nos. 180 to 190 New North Road, built by William Bear, 1846.
ELDER WALK, Popham Estate (1973)
ELDER WALK (1800) Originally in 1732 the ‘Alder Walk’.
In 1842 described thus ‘between the Lower Street and Frog Lane are a number of small houses and gardens, forming
the Elder Walk, Angler’s Gardens, Paradise Place etc.., which are principally inhabited by persons in the different
branches of the watchmaking and other mechanical trades.’ Formerly a court, paved with pebbles, gone by 1883/4.
On the site of Popham Street and Road. But still in 1939 under Essex Road in the Index to the Register of Electors.
ELFORT ROAD
On 1870 large scale map. In 1880 rate book, but not all houses built up by then.
ELIA MEWS (1972)
ELIA STREET (1838-9 and 1841)
Before 1938 Alfred Street, Colebrooke Row (River Terrace). A few houses completed 1838,22 by 1839, the rest by
1841,Named after Charles Lamb (1775-1834) essayist, author of the Essays of Elia, see DUNCAN TERRACE.
The street was laid out like Sudeley Street and Vincent Terrace by James Rhodes. Nos. 24-137, however, are from
1972.
ELIM HOUSE, Lennox Road (c. 1981)
Named after the former Elim Pentecostal Church which from 1952-1977 was in Lennox Road, when it moved to new
premises in Re.g.ina Road.
ELIZA PLACE, Lloyds Row (c. 1816)
Pulled down by 1892 to make way for the building of Rosebery Avenue.
ELIZABETH AVENUE
Before 1938 OXFORD ROAD (1852), OXFORD STREET (1844), WILLIAM STREET New North Road (1828). But built up,
1855-60.
Re-numbered 1874-8.
ELIZABETH PLACE, Upper Holloway (1842)
By 1886 nos. 533-541 Holloway Road.
ELIZABETH PLACE, Balls Pond Road (1826)
By 1866 nos.81 -119 Balls Pond Road.
ELIZABETH TERRACE, Liverpool Road (1821)
By 1882 nos 1-22 Cloudesley Place.
ELIZABETH TERRACE,
Queens Head Street (1864-5)
Later nos. 62-84 Queens Head Street.
ELLA ROAD
First in the 1887 directory.
Derived from the last half of the name of the applicant Louis Marino Casella of NW3, who in 1881 applied to the
Metropolitan Board of Works for the name Ella Road to be approved.
ELLENBOROUGH ROAD
First in the 1866 directory.
On a map of 1870 as Ellenboro Road, Denmark Terrace. Named after Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough (1750-
1818). former Lord Chief Justice, educated at Charterhouse. Disappeared by 1968-9.
ELLINGTON PLACE (1853)
After 1867 nos. 1-11 BRIDE STREET.
ELLINGTON STREET
Before 1860 Arundel Terrace (1846 and 1852), Ellington Terrace (1849) and Great Bride Street (1841).
By 1860-1 it was re-numbered and called Ellington Street throughout.
Was the scene of Angela Rodaway, A London Childhood (B. T. Batsford 1960). At no. 62 (before 1863 no. 26 Arundel
Terrace) lived from 1863-1871 Thomas Calvert Girtin, son of the celebrated artist Thomas Girtin (1775-1802).
AMBER COURT 1976, FOREST COURT 1976.
ELLIOTT’S PLACE, Lower Road (c. 1815)
Last appears in the 1852 directory, but in a rate book for 1855.
ELLIOTT’S ROW, Lower Road (1830)
By 1866 nos. 22-30 Essex Road.
ELM CLOSE
Name given from 1981 to part of the Hargrave Park development.
ELMORE STREET (1855-60)
Formerly James Street, 1813-55.
Victoria Road, Lower Road, appears in 1860-3 directories; in 1863 the name was changed to Elmore Street.
On June 14th 1970 His Supreme Holiness Swami Shree Jnanjeevandasji opened London’s first Hindu temple of Shree
Swaminarajam. Before then the building was the former Mission Hall of the demolished St. John the Baptist’s church,
Cleveland Road (architect: W. Wigginton, 1872).
ELPHINSTONE STREET (1881-2)
Named after James Elphinstone (1721-1809), uncle to the Rev. George Strahan, Vicar of Islington, 1773-1824. James
Elphinstone was an author and critic who lived in Islington c. 1788 and helped Dr. Johnson to circulate The Rambler
in 1750 m the Edinburgh area.
ELTHORNE PARK
Open space; the second phase was proposed 1981, open space between Beaumont Rise and Hazellville Road.
See HORNSEY RISE re the Philip Noel Baker Peace Garden.

Elthorne Road, N19 Originally Red Cap Lane

ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH (architect: Ewan Christian) 1880. The church contained an organ by W. Hedgeland of Gower
Street. Closed 1980 and demolished 1983. In 1952 the Harborough School moved to the road; opened 1913 as the
EIthorne Road School for delicate children, re-organised 1967 as a mixed school for autistic children.
The BIRKBECK TAVERN is named after the Birkbeck Freehold Land Society who in the 1880s owned the land of the
street.
On the south corner lived Robert William Sievier (died 1865), sculptor, inventor and patentee. His home, the ‘Old
Manor House’ was demolished 1897.
ELTON PLACE
Before 1910 Suffolk Place (1846).
ELTON STREET (1890/1)
Re-naming of Prince Edward Street, Triangle Place and Mills Buildings. Disappeared by 1968.
ELWOOD HOUSE, Hurlock Street (1938)
ELWOOD STREET
Part of the Cream Hall or Highbury Woods Estate, sold to William Bennett, a London silversmith in 1819. Street is c.
1879-81 as Elwood Street and on the 1881 Census. From 1827 till c. 1879.
COLLEGE PLACE, Highbury Vale.
ELY PLACE, Lower Road (1846)
By 1866, 378-408 Essex Road.
ELYSTAN WALK (1982)
EMBASSY LODGE, Green Lanes (1969/70)
EMBERTON COURT, St. John Street (1958) Joseph Emberton was the architect of the Brunswick Close Estate.
Messrs. Emberton, Franck & Tardrew were the architects of Galway House (Pleydell Estate).
EMERSON HOUSE, Matthias Road (1952)
EMILY PLACE, Queensland Road
On 1861 Census. Last in 1959 Register of Electors, nos. 2 and 3 only.
ENGINEERS’ COTTAGES, York Road (now Way)
First appear in the West Division Register of Electors, 1906 as ‘engineer’s cottage on railway siding’.
ENGLEFIELD ROAD
In the 1860 directory, built up and other names dropped by 1866. Englefield is in Berkshire.
There is a plaque, unveiled by Don Ross as president of the British Music Hall Society in 1970 to George Ley borne
(1842-1884) the ‘Champagne Charlie’ of the music-halls whose daughter, Florrie Leyborne married in 1895 Albert
Chevalier (Joe Saunders) (1861 -1923), the great coster comedian and singer of the music halls, notably of ‘My Old
Dutch’. Leyborne died at 136 Englefield Road.
ENID STACEY HOUSE, Hazellville Road
On the 1945 Register of Electors.
Named after Enid Stacey (Mrs. Widdrington) (1868-1903), a contemporary of Dr. and Mrs. Pankhurst, Katharine
Bruce Glasier, etc.. A fiery champion of women’s rights and an open air speaker.
ENKEL STREET (c. 1875/6)
In 1877 there were only nos. 1,3,7,1 and 13.
The sites of Enkel Street and of Hertslet Road were nursery grounds. Robert Enkel from 1830-49 owned property and
occupied the nursery until 1834 when Cornelius Crastin and his family took over and continued as nurserymen until
at least 1890. The street name disappears by 1975.
See also under SEVEN SISTERS ROAD re C. Crastin.
EPPING PLACE
Before 1907 Wellington Place, from 1853-1906 and Wellington Terrace, 1835-1852 and 1820-1834 Wellington Place.
Epping is a town in Essex and in 1907 the name was adopted because the principal occupiers were the Essex Flour &
Grain Co. Name disappeared by 1979-80.
EPWORTH STREET
Before 1937, Castle Street, there in 1799, Re-numbered, 1896.
ERIC FLETC.HER COURT, Essex Road (1958)
On the site of St. Matthew’s Church and nos. 231-255 Essex Road.
Named after Eric George Molyneux Fletc.her, created in 1970 a Life Peer, BARON FLETC.HER OF ISLINGTON. He was
MP for East Islington, 1945-1970 and the son of C.G. E.Fletc.her, former Town Clerk of Islington, 1914-1929.
ERROL STREET (1883) Re-numbered 1912.
Probably named after a trustee of the Peabody Donation Fund.
FARRIERS HOUSE 1982, PEABODY BUILDINGS 1882.
ESCUAN LODGE, Aberdeen Park (1963)
ESHER ROAD (c. 1874)
By 1886 incorporated in Fairbridge Road.
ESSEX HOUSE. Essex Road (1897)
ESSEX ROAD
See also QUEENS HEAD STREET and see also under LOWER ROAD.
May be named after the Earl of Essex, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, but more probably because part of a main
route in to Essex.
ESSEX ROAD has been from 1864 the name of the former Lower Street and Lower Road (although referred to as
Essex Road on page 466 of the Vestry Minutes for 1863). Known in Elizabethan times as the Lower Street or Lower
Road.
In August 1857 the Vestry resolved ‘that the Lower Street and the Lower Road be called LOWER ROAD, commencing
from Islington Green (corner of River Lane) and that the subsidiary streets and places be abolished and the houses
numbered consecutively. A lot of re-numbering took place after 1864, e.g.: the former nos. 1-10 Lower Terrace
became 83-103 Essex Road and ‘Barossa Lodge’ and nos. 1-3 Clarence Lodge became 294-300 Essex Road. Suffolk
Place (1822) became by 1866 218 to 244, Pickering Place (1846) 92-106. Scotts Place (1804-5) 198-216, Spencer
Terrace (1840) 279-325 and Spencer Villas (1848) 327-331.
Before 1864 there were a large number of rows and terraces such as Thatched House Row, Pickering Place, Brays
Buildings, etc..
On the site of Eric Fletc.her Court was 231-255 Essex Road.
ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH, Essex Road (architect: Alexander Dick Gough) 1850. Closed as a place of worship 1946
through War damage. Demolished by 1966.
In 1882-3 under the Artizans and Labourers’ Dwellings Act of 1875, the ‘Essex Road Improvement Scheme’-altered
the street, sites were finally closed and Elder Walk and other subsidiary outlets were all but abolished.
The ESSEX ROAD SWIMMING BATHS were opened 21st November 1893, the Tibberton Square (Greenman Street
Baths), 27 April 1895 by the Rt. Hon. Shaw-Lefevre, MP, President of the Local Government Board.
ESSEX ROAD Tube Station (Northern Line) dates from 14 February 1904.
On 13th of May 1915 Alderman George S. Elliott as Mayor of Islington laid the foundation stone of the South-East
Library designed by Mervyn McCartney, FRIBA. However, in November 1920, the Mayor, Cllr. E. H. King at a time of
severe hardship granted the use of the building to the unemployed. They were asked to move by the Council to a
room at one of the Baths but refused and had to be moved by police. They had established a ‘workers’ co-operative’
for a time on these premises. In 1921 the Library was re-opened for use as a public library.
The CARLTON CINEMA, 161 Essex Road, opened in 1930 and had a frontage with columns in the neo-E.g.yptian style,
seating 2,248. In 1962 it was called the ABC, but closed in 1972 to become a Mecca bingo theatre.
At 46 Essex Road, corner of Packington Street, as early as 1912 was a large cinema called c.1914 The Coronet, which
from 1931 till c. 1942/3 was the BLUE HALL CINEMA ANNEXE.
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, Essex Road (Balls Pond), 1826-8 (architect: Sir Charles Barry) seated 1800 in 1851. It had an
organ by Timothy Russell (1828). The church was restored in 1862 and substantially in 1902 by J. Douglas Mathews &
Sons as a memorial of the 1914-18 War. The Day School and Cottages were erected in 1829 and 1833, the Vestry Hall
c. 1856/7 and the Church Room in 1901. In 1982 the parish merged with St. Jude’s, Mildmay Grove; the records of
the church were deposited with the G LC. The church is now All Saints (Aladura) Church of Christ.
The London Borough of Islington Planning Department’s premises were in a building originally used as Samuel
Ridley’s Floorcloth Manufactory, near Annette’s Crescent and was in existence before 1835, probably built c. 1812
but used by Ridley in 1829. Later the building became used as beer bottling premises by Messrs. Probyns up to 1972.
At the back of nos. 100-102 Essex Road, between Pickering and Dibden streets was FISHER HOUSE.
About 1660 one Ezekiel Tongue, author of books on natural history and several anti-Papal tracts kept an Academy
for teaching Greek and Latin to young ladies. This was in a house ‘kept by Sir Thomas Fisher’ (died 1636). In the years
before 1840, after being a lodging house, this ‘substantial brick building covered with Roman cement’ was a private
lunatic asylum kept by a Dr. A. Sutherland whose name appears in rate books during the 1807-1836 period. He was a
pioneer in the treatment of the mentally sick. In 1845 Fisher House was demolished to make way for Pickering Place
and street improvements.
At no. 2 Essex Road is the ‘Swinging Sporran’ public house before 1972 known as the ‘Carved Red Lion’. This was
because there was a carved red lion on the building connected with the arms of Sir George Colebrooke before 1914.
The public house was owned since 1904 by Scottish Breweries Ltd.
The ‘Thatched House’ at 119 Essex Road is of some historic significance as being kept by the father of William Hawes,
MD, (1736-1808), founder of the Royal Humane Society; his Strand medical practice was well-known. The original
inn, nicknamed ‘Job’s House’ stood mid-way between the southern end of Astey’s Row and ‘Fowler House’, Cross
Street, but was destroyed by fire in 1829. Another was built on the site. This was severely damaged in World War 11
in May 1941. In 1966 the house was almost entirely rebuilt. The original ‘Job’s House’, known locally after Dr. Hawes
father, was for the reception of drowned persons, but the ‘Half Moon’ at 84 Essex Road later became a reception
centre.
Another well-known inn was ‘The Crown’, Essex Road, later to become named the ‘City Farm House’. This is wellknown
for a print by J. Pollard showing stage coaches passing.
‘The Three Brewers’ was there as early as 1832 when its address was 1 Norfolk Place. ‘The Green Man’ at no. 143
was there in 1870.
The Clothworkers’ Co. owned estates in Islington from 1560 to 1948. Between nos. 30 and 32 Essex Road were their
former almshouses, rebuilt, dating from 1872/3. These latter replaced the ones built in 1770. south of Frog Lane. The
18th century ones replaced those built c. 1538 at Whitefriars by Margaret, Countess of Kent.
Jonathan King (1836-1912) (King of Valentines), whose collection of Christmas cards and Valentines is mostly with
the Museum of London, with a few items at the Islington Central library, had his business as a stationer and
manufacturer of Xmas cards at no. 304 Essex Road (corner of Elmore Str.), 1872-1912. A fire in 1918 damaged much
of his immense collection by smoke, heat and water.
On the site of no. 50 Essex Rd. lived the poet and humourist and editor of Hood’s Own, the Comic Annual, etc..
Thomas Hood, from 1807 to 1827. He married Jane Reynolds May 5th 1825 at the parish church of St. Mary, Upper
St.
Another resident of this locality was Timothy Priestley (1734-1814), brother of Joseph Priestley the scientist; he
produced an annotated Bible.
On the side of the ‘Green Man’ public house was from 1744 until c. 1864/5 the LOWER ST. INDEPENDENT CHAPEL,
celebrated during the incumbency of the Rev. John Yockney, 1815-45.
From c. 1866 to 1936 Venables & Co., well-known piano dealers had their premises at 187-189 Essex Road.
In 1864 Jeffrey & Co. took over the works of Messrs. Holmes & Aubert at 64 Essex Road. WILLIAM MORRIS’S
wallpaper designs were printed there until 1930.
No. 8 Essex Rd. (originally no. 4) is a listed building.
ANSON HOUSE 1899 renovated 1979, ASHLEY HOUSE 1966, CEDAR COURT 1968, CLARENCE HOUSE 1908, ERIC
FLETC.HER COURT 1958, ESSEX HOUSE 1897, PARADISE COURT (this was there as early as 1890, SAFFRON COURT
1981, YORK HOUSE 1909, WALTERS HOUSE 1971 -2.
ESTHER PLACE, Upper Holloway (1843)
Not there after 1879-1881.
ETAL HOUSE, Upper Street (Sutton Estate) (1971)
Etal is in Northumberland, 8 miles north west of Wooler and has Etal Castle,
ETON HOUSE, Leigh Road Old Etonian Housing Assoc. (1938)
On the site of Highbury Manor House, last owned by the Church of England Zenana Missionary Society 1887-1937,
but originally the home of Alexander Aubert see AUBERT COURT.
ETON LODGE, Carleton Road (1972)
EUROPA HOUSE, 13/17 Ironmonger Row (1983)
EUROPA PLACE, Lever St. Part of the street before 1861.
EUSTON PLACE, 1845
By 1882 506a-526 Holloway Road.
EVE COURT, 127 Grosvenor Avenue 1957
EVERETT HOUSE, Harvist Estate 1971
EVERILDA STREET, 1847 Disappeared by c. 1972/3.
ST. THOMAS’S CHURCH, Everilda St architect: A,W, Billing 1860. Building works by Messrs. Dove Bros, Became
merged as a parish with St. Andrew’s in 1946 and the church was demolished after 1953. The parish schools opened
in Alma Grove in 1861 and Everilda St 1867. The foundation stone of the latter was laid 31 Oct 1866 by Sir Roundell
Palmer, later Earl of Selborne and the school opened in April. Now St. Thomas’s Primary Voluntary C. of E. School.
Bomb damaged 1945. Re-opened 1955, re-organised (ILEA) 1959 for Junior Mixed and Infants.
EVERLEIGH STREET, N.4 1872/3
EVERSHOT ROAD, N4 1872/3 In 1874 there were only nos. 1-9 and 13-19. Built up further from 1875 to 1884. SEAR
LE PLACE 1980
EWE CLOSE, Shearling Way 1979
Evocative of the sheep pens of the Metropolitan Cattle Market!
EWEN HOUSE, Carne.g.ie St 1956
EXCHANGE STREET, Lever Street 1828 Before 1936 Clarence Street.
EXCUAN LODGE, 1961 17 Aberdeen Park.
EXPERIMENTAL GARDENS
Later occupied by Blundell, Nailour and Frederica Streets.
Peter Henry Joseph Baume (1797-1875), born in Marseilles, came to England in 1825 and founded the Experimental
Gardens or French Colony which in 1842 had a population of 208 and was originally intended to be a colony on the
principles of Robert Owen, but fell into decay. The buildings had disappeared by c. 1853.
EXMOUTH MARKET, before 1939 Exmouth Street.
Re-numbered in 1877 and c. 1818 part of which was Braynes Row, dating from 1765 and Spa Place.
Exmouth Street was named after Admiral Lord Exmouth GCB (1757-1833). celebrated naval commander and victor of
the battle of Lake Champlain and also the bombarder of Algiers in 1816 when the Bey refused to abolish Christian
slavery! His name was Edward Pellew before he became 1st Viscount Exmouth.
CITY MANSIONS before 1915, City Arms Buildings (c.1855).
The Church of the Holy Redeemer with St. Philip, opened in 1888, occupied the site of the Spa Fields Chapel, pulled
down in 1886. The architect of the Romanesque church was John D, Sedding, FRIBA, (18381891 ),also the architect of
Holy Trinity, Sloane Square and of St. Peter’s, Mount Park Road, Ealing, among others. His pupil Henry Wilson
completed the church with the Lady Chapel, Campanile and Clergy House. The font in the Lady Chapel came from St.
Giles, Cripple.g.ate and the Organ from the Chapel Royal, Windsor. A pair of candlesticks and a picture were in
memory of Walter Pater.
The ‘Exmouth Arms’ was first so named c. 1951 -2, before then being a beer retailers.
The London Spa public house at the corner of Exmouth Market and Rosoman Street is on the site of an old inn, The
Fountain’, A spring was discovered here in 1685 and it was afterwards known as the LONDON SPA. People went
there to drink ale as well as water but after about 1754 it was frequented only as a tavern.
On this site and of Exmouth Market was SPA FIELDS, well-known in the 18th century for its chalybeate springs. In
1816a meeting was attended by no less than 30,000 protesting against the Corn Laws and voting a motion of protest
to the Prince Re.g.ent (afterwards George IV), A great riot took place and there was violence and arson of local
houses.
See WILMINGTON $QUARE.
At No. 8 (now 56) Exmouth Street / Market resided Joseph (Jo) Grimaldi from 1822-1829 when he was manager of
Sadler’s Wells theatre but in April 1829 he moved to nearby 23 Garnault Place. A commemorative plaque to Grimaldi
is located at 56 Exmouth Market.
Richard Earlom (1743-1822), mezzotint engraver, died in the street, aged 80.
The SPA FIELDS CHAPEL (Lady Huntingdon’s Connexion) was originally a tea house, the Pantheon. It was purchased
by the Countess of Huntingdon and the garden connected in to a cemetery. 1500 were interred here per annum. In
1845 people protested at the bones and bodies being burnt to make more room and this practice then ceased. The
chapel was pulled down in 1886, William Shrubsole (1760-1806),organist and composer was one of the original
organists and wrote the hymn, ‘All hail the power of Jesus name’.
John Caley, FRS, FSA (d.1834), keeper of the records in the Augmentation Office and the records of Westminster
Abbey lived in Exmouth Street and died 28th April, 1834.
Archibald Leighton, Jnr. died aged 57 in 1847. In 1822 he had produced the first bookbinders’ cloth and in 1817 had
his business in Coldbath Square where his father had commenced in 1764. In 1821 the business was at 55 Exmouth
Street, Spa Fields and by 1840 the firm was at Ashby Street, Northampton Square until 1883.
FACADE, The, Stroud Green Road 1913
FAG’S WELL, Cowcross Street
There in the 16th century. Covered over 1750
(also known as Fagge’s Well).
FAIRBRIDGE ROAD, Part of by Hornsey Road (1878)
Built up by 1882, incorporated with Esher Road by 1886.
BRETTON HOUSE 1975. Samuel Lazarby of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants lived 1904-8 at 150
Fairbridge Road.
FAIRDENE COURT, Camden Road 1962
FAIRMEAD ROAD
Name adopted c. 1877 Former Griffin Terrace. In the 1880 rate books, as also is Griffin Terrace
FULFORD MANSIONS 1969.
FAIRSTEAD WALK, Popham Estate 1973
FAIRWEATHER HOUSE, Parkhurst Road 1966
A City Corporation Holloway Estate redevelopment. Named after Charles Henry Fuller Fairweather, Chairman of the
1967/ 8 City Corporation Housing Committee.
FAITH FULL HOUSE, Aberdeen Park 1953 Emily Faithfull (1835-1895) was a printer, editor and a promoter of
women’s employment and opportunities for women.
FAKENHAM STREET VILLAS
On a large scale OS map, 1870,
Changed to Bardwell Street 1913.
FALCON COURT, City Garden Row (1976)
FALCON COURT, City Garden Row 1976
FALCONER WALK 1980
FALLOWFIELD, Six Acres Estate, Pooles Park 1969
FANN STREET, GoswelI Road.
Formerly Bridgewater Gardens, Extension of the former Fann’s Alley, off Aldersgate Street, there in 1677 and in
1746, Before 1863 City of London. Re-numbered, 1863. In 1936 included Sanders Buildings (Fann Court). Mentioned
1820.
From the latter in 1877 George and John Coates launched the sale of printing ink. Headquarters of the firm of Coates
built in 1938 in Easton Street. Now Coates Bros. Pic of Grosvenor Place.
FARADAY CLOSE, Barnsbury Estate 1972
Of origin of the name see under BRIDE STREET.
FARLEIGH, Halton Road (site of nos. 25-27) 1962
FARRIERS’ HOUSE, Errol Street 1982
FARRINGDON LANE, EC1
Clerkenwell Green to 56 Farringdon Road. See also RAY STREET. Before 1980 the Clerk’s Well, 22 and 24 Farringdon
Road and Peabody Terrace. 14-16 Farringdon Lane (formerly Ray Street) is the location of the ‘ancient’ Clerks’ Well,
founded in c1140, as part of the Nunnery of St Mary. The well is viewable by appointment by contacting staff at
Islington Local History Centre. A Finsbury Council commemorative plaque recording the location of the Clerks’ Well
can be seen at 14-16 Farringdon Lane.
FARRINGDON ROAD
Formerly Victoria Street (1863). Cut 1855/6, pt. of Ray Street, Coppice Row and Oldham Place (1883).
Name derived from William de Farnedon, a 13th century sheriff. Farringdon Street (City of London) was erected over
the Fleet Ditch on the removal 1826-30 of the 18th century Fleet Market (opened 1737) covering that part of the
course of the River Fleet, north of Ludgate Hill.
There is a plaque to the Clerk’s Well, 14/16 Farringdon Rd, See RAY STREET.
Peabody Buildings 1882, Peabody Terrace 1964.
Nos. 142 and 144 Farringdon Road are 1950. The ‘Father’ of the celebrated Farringdon Road bookstalls was James
Dabbs (18401919) who opened the first stall in 1869.
Farringdon Road was partially re-numbered in 1889.
The ‘Betsy Trotwood’ public house, 56 Farringdon Road was before 1984, the ‘Butchers Arm’ originally in Pear Tree
Court. There in 1686.
The ‘Penny Black’ 106 Farringdon Road was before 1984 the Clerkenwell Tavern, there in 1888.
Sir John Oldcastle (Lord Cobham) died in 1417, a Lollard, who lived in a mansion on the site of what is now the
corner of Farringdon Road, near the Post Office.
The ‘Sir John Oldcastle’ was on the same side of the road as the Cobham’s Head, on the west side of Coppice Row,
but nearer to Bagnigge Wells. Beginning life as a small wayside inn it became much frequented in the early 18th
century for its extensive rear gardens, often used for concerts and fireworks. By 1762 it had been pulled down.
FARRINGDON ROAD BUILDINGS 1873/4 Opened by the Metropolitan Association for the Improvement of the
Dwellings of the Industrial Classes. Demolished Spring, 1976.
FARTHING-PIE HOUSE
Farthing-Pie House and Turnpike were c. 1819 at the west end of the 18th century Exmouth Market.
FAULKNER’S ALLEY, Cowcross Street
Named after the Rev. William Elisha Faulkner, from 1814-1839 Vicar of St. John the Baptist, Clerkenwell (most
probably).
FAYETVILLE HOUSE, New Orleans Estate, New Orleans Walk 1972 Named after the various ‘Fayetvilles’ in the United
States.
FEATHERSTONE STREET (1742) FELIX COTTAGES after 1869 nos.178-190 Liverpool Road.
See FERGUS ROAD.
FELIX PLACE
East side of Liverpool Road, on the site of the Ducking Pond Field. Let by George Pocock, 1805. By 1870 nos, 136-178
Liverpool Road.
FELIX STREET, Liverpool Road 1811
Completed by 1817. In the 1883 Islington directory nos. 1 -8. By 1884 nos. 1-15 (odd), Upper Barnsbury Street.
FELIX TERRACE c.1810
After 1869 nos. 210 to 287 Liverpool Road.
FELL HOUSE, Poynings Road 1968
FERGUS ROAD 1889
Built on land owned in 1732 by Matthew Featherstone. Hence Featherstone Street.
FERNCROFT, Basire Street 1972
FERNSBURY STREET
Named as such 1912, A variant of Fernsbury or Finsbury.
FERNTOWER ROAD
Building be.g.an 1869 of 4% acres. By 1874 28 houses were completed, the rest by 1877/8.
A large house, with grounds, was on the site of the corner of Ferntower and Newington Green Roads, later called
Gloucester House, by 1882/3 nos. 56-61 Newington Green. This was the birthplace of Samuel Rogers (17631855) and
his home from 1763-1803. Rogers was poet, conversationalist, banker and friend of Hazlitt, Southey, Porson, Selwyn,
Fox and others, also a fine art collector.
Nos. 2-10 Ferntowner Road replaced, 1882/3.
FERRIBY CLOSE , Bewdley Street Estate 1981
Ferriby is in the East Riding of Yorkshire, 7 miles south west of Hull.
FIELD COURT, Hillmarton Road 1961
FIELDSWAY HOUSE, Fieldway Crescent 1907
FIELDVIEW COURT, Highbury Grove 1966
FIELDWAY CRESCENT
From 1849-1904, HIGHBURY CRESCENT WEST.
So named as it leads to Highbury Fields. DURHAM HOUSE 1905, WESTMORELAND HOUSE 1905, FIELDSWAY HOUSE
1907.
LILLIE HOUSE 1959. Named after the late Cllr. William Campbell Lillie, Elected a Councillor in 1953, represented
Tufnell Ward. Died 1958.
MANNING HOUSE 1959. Named after Dame Elizabeth Leah Manning, DBE, MP for East Islington Feb-October 1931,
Past President of the National Union of Teachers, who died in 1977.
FIFE TERRACE
Re-named, 1896 of former Regent Cottages and Regent Terrace (1828-9). From 1845 -1937 included Little Cumming
Street.
After the Duchess of Fife, see DAGMAR TERRACE.
FINDON LODGE, Popham Street 1963
Findon is in West Sussex *
FINNEMORE HOUSE, Windsor Street.
Sir Donald Leslie Finnemore (1889-1974) was President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, 1966-7,a High Court
Judge and a former Vice-President of the Boys Brigade.
FINSBURY BARRACKS
See under City Road,
FINSBURY
Derived from the family name Fiennes, whose manor house was in Finsbury Fields. Earlier known as Vinisbir or
Vynesbury.
FINSBURY CIRCUS
Planned by Dance, 1802. 1819-1912, home of the London Institution. (W. Brooks) School of Oriental Studies, 1916-
1936.
FINSBURY PARK
Opened as a Park, 1869, part was formerly Hornsey Wood and Tea Gardens.
See also under SEVEN SISTERS ROAD.
FINSBURY PARK STATION
From 1861-9, Seven Sisters Road. Finsbury Park Station, Northern Line. Opened 14th February 1904. See also
STATION PLACE
FINSBURY PAVEMENT
Part City of London. Before 1879 Finsbury Place.
Partially re-numbered in 1909. Originally a paved walk made in 1777 over marsh-like land north of the City.
‘The London General’ public house was before 1980 ‘The Ship’, there in 1833.
FINSBURY PLACE 1777
After 1879 Finsbury Pavement.
FINSBURY SQUARE
Planned by George Dance, covers about six acres.
Completed 1777-1791. Alleged to be the first public place lit by gas. Re-numbered in 1871. Like Finsbury Pavement,
Place and Circus, Broad Street and St. Helen’s Place, all of which were the same, the Harley Street of its day.
Once the home of the Temple of the Muses, in its day the largest book-shop in London, or one of the largest, on the
corner of Finsbury Pavement and Square. It was kept by a James Lackington (1746-1815).
John Renton (1799-1841), portrait painter, lived in the Square.
Dr. George Birkbeck (1776-1841) in 1823 founder of the London Mechanics Institution, afterwards Birkbeck College,
Univ. of London, died at a house in the north east corner of the Square in December 1841.
David Livingstone, missionary and explorer (1813-1873) lived at No. 15 for a short time in 1856.
Dr. Hermann Adler (1838-1911) Chief Rabbi from 1891-1911 lived at No. 22, the son of Dr. Nathan Marcus Adler
(1803-90) who lived at 16 and founded the Jews College.
CITY GATE HOUSE, Finsbury Square 1930.
ROYAL LONDON HOUSE 1901-35. By John Belcher, architect. Extension architect J.A. Joass, FRIBA. Opened 5th
February 1930 by the Lord Mayor of London. 220ft. high tower surmounted by the figure of Mercury.
Finsbury Square Underground Car Park is from 1961 and the Tea Garden and Open Space, 1964.
The Canadian Pacific Building, built 1966, later London & Manchester Assurance Co.
TRITON COURT (NEPTUNE, JUPITER and MERCURY HOUSE), architects: Sheppard Robson, 1982.
FINSBURY STREET
Partly in the City. Formerly Artillery Court and Buildings, 1887.
FINSBURY TERRACE, City Road c. 1795
Name abolished 1859
FIRCROFT, Halton Road 1961
FISHER HOUSE, Charlotte Terrace
Opened 4 June 1938 (GLC Vittoria St. Flats). For original name see under ESSEX ROAD.
FISHER HOUSE, Ward Road 1962
Named after Geoffrey Fisher of Lambeth, 1st Baron (1887-1972).
FITZWARREN GARDENS N19 1904
Alice Fitzwarren, daughter of Sir John Fitzwarren, married Sir Richard Whittington (‘Dick Whittington’d.1423). The
“Whittington Stone’ is nearby.
FLEECE WALK, Shearling Way 1979
FLETC.HER’S PLACE, Compton Terrace, Upper Street 1819
FLETC.HER’S ROW, Vineyard Gardens, EC1 (1807)
Closed 1935.
FLIGHT’S YARD
Near the ‘Angel & Crown’ public house, 235 Upper Street.
On an 1848 map, after 1914 Laycock Street.
Named after Thomas Flight, landowner.
FLITTON HOUSE, Upper Street 1970 Flitton is TA miles south east of Ampthill, Beds.
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE HOUSE
Marquess Road 1954 ‘Nightingale Nurses’ and Mabel Torrance, matron, were associated with the Whittington
Hospital. See DARTMOUTH PARK HILL.
FLORENCE STREET 1858
The former Vestry Hall (1858) architect: H.E. Cooper, built 1859-60, was sold in September 1927 and became the
Lido Cinema, by 1946 the Odeon, Upper Street closed in 1961 and demolished to make way for the Upper Street
Service Station. NORTHBURY HOUSE 1962. Freemasons’ Islington Lodge no.1471 was set up in 1874 in Florence
Street schoolrooms and later in that year met at the Cock Tavern, Highbury Corner moving in 1905 to Bishopsgate.
Wallace Bligh Cheeseman (1865-1947), founder of the Fawcett Association and its full -time Secretary 1892-1919,
founder of the Civil Service Federation and a champion of Post Office workers, lived at 27 Florence Street 1896-99
and at no. 28, 1901-2, c.1912 at Highbury Grange and up to about 1915 and 1926-7 at 27 Baalbec Road. Cheesman is
commemorated with a plaque located at 8 Highbury Grange.
FLORENCE TERRACE, Park Road 1851
After 1876 incorporated in Parkhurst Road
FLOWERS BUILDINGS, Morland Terrace,
Holloway Road 1841
By 1866 134-138 Holloway Road.
FOLIOT HOUSE, Priory Green Estate,
Collier Street 1951
Said to have been named from Thomas (or Gilbert) Foliot and/or Henry Foliot. Thomas gave land to the Priory .Henry
married Lecia, eldest daughter of Jordan Briset.
FONTHILL ROAD
Originally Nightingale Road. Built up 1866/70.
Built by George Atwell, a builder, of 4 Tufnell Park. Fonthill, Wiltshire, was the birthplace of William Beckford (1760-
1844), author, who erected the grotesque Fonthill Abbey.
From 1874-1893 there was a Fonthill Road Baptist Chapel.
In 1960 the MacFisheries opened a huge new distribution centre opened by A.D. Bonham Carter, co-ordinating
director of Unilever, at a cost of £500,000, with a railway siding that could accommodate 18 fish wagons.
FORDHAM’S GROVE
Near River Street, Canonbury. From 182844 Cambridge Terrace,
Named after Charles Fordham who lived at Fordham’s Cottage in 1844 and owned 10 other properties formerly
Cambridge Terrace.
FOREIGN MISSIONS CLUB, 20-26 Aberdeen Park
Was at 149-151 Highbury New Park as early as 1897.
FOREST WAY
Part of the Hargrave Park development 1981
FORMBY COURT, Madras Place, N7 1976
Formby is in the Sefton borough of Merseyside.
FORREST COURT, Ellington Street 1976
FORSTER’S BUILDINGS, Whitecross Street.
Were there in 1723.
FORTIOR COURT, Hornsey Lane 1970
FORTNAM ROAD 1869-70 Occupied 1870-1.
Oakdale Court 1963, Sylvan Court 1966. FORTUNE HOUSE, Fortune Street 1956-7.
FORTUNE STREET
Re-numbered 1895. Before 1937 Playhouse Yard, there in 1733.
The Fortune Theatre was built in 1599 for Edward Alleyn and Philip Henslowe between Whitecross Street and
Golden Lane. It was destroyed by fire in 1621, rebuilt and continued until 1647/8. Plays by Thomas Dekker and
Christopher Marlowe took place there.
A plaque on an LEB sub-station reads: ‘Good Master Edward Alleyn’s Fortune Theatre stood on a site near here in
1600′. ST. MARY’ S TOWER 1956/7.
FOWLER HOUSE, Halton Road 1905.
Re-habilitated 1978.
For origin, see CROSS STREET.
FOWLER ROAD
First in the 1878 director. Contains the St. Mary’s C. of E. Voluntary Primary School (ILEA), architect: K.C. White &
Partners. The foundation stone was laid 19 May 1966 by the Rt. Rev. Robert Stopford, Bishop of London and opened
by the Most Rev. F.D. Coggan. Eric Mallion, Headmaster since 1957 was awarded the MBE in 1984.
FOXCROFT, Weston Rise. 1968
FOXHAM GARDENS
Opened as a public open space in May 1985 by GLC Councillor Steve Bundred.
FOXHAM ROAD
First in the 1892 directory
See also under WHITTINGTON PARK. Foxham is in North Wilts. 5 miles north east of Chippenham.
Yerbury Primary School, Foxham Road, opened in 1884 as Yerbury Road Board School with an extension in 1895. It
was reorganised 1947 for Junior Mixed and Infants. Now there is a Nursery for children also.
FOXTON PLACE, Upper Barnsbury Street. 1834
By 1870, nos. 28-36 Thornhill Road.
FRAMFIELD ROAD
Framfield is in East Sussex
FRANCES PLACE also FRANCIS PLACE 1913
After 1863 nos. 140-170 Holloway Road.
FRANCIS STREET, Copenhagen Street 1822
In 1939 incorporated with Charlotte Terrace.
FRANCIS TERRACE, Junction Road
On an 1869 OS map but not in local directories until the 1875/6 period.
FREARSON HOUSE, Weston Rise 1969 Named after John Frearson, painter of ‘The Raising of Jairus’s daughter’ which
was over the altar of St. James, Pentonville Road. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1797-1831.
FREDERICA STREET
Before 1939 Frederic Street from c.1859/63 period. Featured in the Gaumont British 1955 film with Alec Guinness,
The Lady Killers.
At No. 80 Frederick Street from 18971903 lived Henry Thomas Gardner of the Postmen’s Federation, fighter for
postmen’s rights.
Disappeared by 1973. Nearby was the huge Caledonian Road Goods Depot.
FREDERICK PLACE, Goswell Road 1817
FREDERICK’S COURT, Goswell Road 1815
Name abolished 1861
FREDERICK PLACE, Brecknock Road 1831
FREDERICK ROW, Goswell Road
See Frederick Place and Frederick’s Court.
FREDERICK’S PLACE, Rotherfield Street 1845
FREDERICK’S PLACE, Seven Sisters Road
On 1841 Map and in 1845 rate book.
FREDERICK’S PLACE, Upper Street c.1832
Later nos. 93-100 Upper Street.
In 1884 behind nos. 90,91 and 92 Upper Street near Frederick’s Place was the old 18th century Vicarage of Islington,
sold by auction April 3rd 1883. Here resided the Rev. George Strahan (1772-1824) for part of the year. He also held
three rectories and a prebendal stall at Rochester. He was a friend of the great Sam Johnson and attended Dr.
Johnson on his death-bed. The Great Cham did stay with the Rev. Strahan on several occasions. The London Salvage
Corps Station was erected on the site of the old vicarage.
FREE.G.ROVE ROAD c. 1866
In Hartham Road in 1871 was a house called ‘Free Grove’ occupied by William Wiggett, a piano manufacturer. The
road was re-numbered in 1882.
FREEHOLD STREET, Seven Sisters Road 1853
by 1860 DURHAM ROAD.
FREELING STREET 1849
Named after Sir Francis Freeling (17641836), postal reformer and former Secretary to the GPO and improver of the
mail coach service.
FRENCH ALLEY
On J. Rocque’s Map. c. 1738.
After 1898 BASTERFIELD STREET.
FRENSHAM COURT, Highbury New Park 1964
Frensham, Surrey, is 3 1/2 miles south of Farnham.
FRIEND STREET
Before 1936 Brewer Street. North 1831. Re-numbered in 1937. Commemorates one George Friend, a dyer of scarlet
and a benefactor to Finsbury. In 1780 he was First Treasurer and founder of the free clinic called the Finsbury
Dispensary which was there from 1870-1936. See also PAGET STREET. Woodbridge House, St. James Walk, was a
large roomy plain brick mansion, the home of one of the lessees of the Sekforde Estate, George Friend, a dyer of
scarlet to the East India Co. and in 1807 he made over the estate to William Cook Vestry Clerk of Clerkenwell.
HERMITAGE BUILDINGS 1885.
FROG LANE
There 1729. Since 1872 POPHAM ROAD. References to this as early as 1735, In 1729 it had inns called the Flower Pot,
Fox & Cub and The Chequer; in 1765 the Rose, the Plough and the Barley Mow.
In 1775 a fire broke out at a little cottage public house called Frog Hall, near the Land of Nod. Its inn sign was a
plough drawn by frogs.
FROME STREET 1847
Before 1871 James Street, Included Hereford
Terrace (q.v.) which was 13-21 Frome Street
FRYE’S BUILDINGS. Islington High Street 1883
FRYING PAN ALLEY
Was there in 1720. Very poor in the 1860’s, used by gypsies, vegetable sellers, etc..
FULBECK HOUSE, Sutterton Street 1972
FULBROOK ROAD
On an 1869 OS map but in an 1882 directory. Disappeared by 1977.
FULFORD MANSIONS, Fairmead Road 1968
FURLONG ROAD
Before 1895 Albion Road (1839-40). No. 20 was originally 1 Landfear Villas. No,9 was before 1895 No. 14 (c.1843-9).
The present Conservative Party headquarters the LEESON HALL was from c.1891 a Sandemanian or Glasite Meeting
House and last appears as such in London directories in 1946. A Joseph Sandeman lived at No. 9 in 1901.
See also ALBION ROAD. Named after John Spencer Furlong of 16 Compton Terrace who died in 1895 and was a
vestry man for St. Mary’s Ward, an important member of the Board of Assessors Burial Board, Chairman of the
Words Committee and a Guardian. He had been a Vestryman since 1872.
FYFIELD, Pooles Park 1970
G
GAINFORD PLACE (1826)
Disappeared by c.1969/70.
GAINFORD STREET (1827)
Disappeared by c. 1969/70.
Became part of Richmond Road (now Avenue). E.g.: 1 Gainford Place became 76 Richmond Road and no.3,82. See
also KINGSTON COTTAGES.
GAINSBOROUGH HOUSE, Thorpedale Road (1963)
GALLIA ROAD (1890)
Named after Gaul, one of the Roman provinces, like Calabria and Liberia roads. A summer camp was, by tradition, at
Highbury.
GALWAY HOUSE, Radnor Street (1961)
Designed by Emberton, Franck & Tardrew, architects. 102 flats, part of the Pleydelll Estate, erected 1959-61.
GALWAY STREET
Before 1877 part was Little Galway Street.
Henri du Massue, Marquis de Ruvigny, created the Earl of Galway, 1691, was a Governor of the French Hospital. See
RADNOR STREET.
GAMBIER HOUSE, Mora Street (1970)
The family descends from the Norman Huguenots. James Gambler, barrister- at- law, was a Director of the French
Hospital, Pest House Row, 1727. Admiral Lord Gambier (1756-1833), G.C.B., was of this family.
GARD STREET.
Before 1904 Cross Street, 1837.
GARDNER COURT, Kelvin Road (1960)
Named after the late Cllr. George Albert Gardner, died 2 October 1958, who represented Lower Holloway Ward,
from May 1949.
GARNAULT PLACE (1825-6)
Named after Samuel Garnault, late Treasurer to the New River Co., died 11 March, 1827. Joe Grimaldi lived at No. 23
1829-32. William Chadwell Mylne (1781-1863) surveyor, architect and engineer. Surveyor to the New River Co. lived
in Garnault Place.
GARRETT STREET
Before 1898 Basket Alley and White’s Yard. Both there in 1732.
Henry Garrett (or Gerrard) of the Haberdasher’s Co. by his will dated 1675 made a bequest to Clerkenwell.
GARSTON HOUSE, Upper Street (1970)
GASKIN STREET
Before 1937 CHURCH STREET, Upper Street from the late 18th century.
Named after the Rev. George Gaskin, D.D. (1797-1829) Lecturer to St. Mary’s Islington from 1776 to 1822,
Prebendary of Ely. Also Sec. of the SPCK. Born at Newington Green.
GASTIGNY HOUSE, Radnor Street (1960)
Jacques de Gatigny, Master of the Buckhounds to William III died in 1708 and out of his £1000 bequest was founded
the French Hospital.
See PEST HOUSE ROW also RADNOR STREET for origin.
GATCOMBE ROAD 1887
GATEWAY HOUSE, Junction Road (1972)
GATWARD’S BUILDINGS, St. Luke’s (1799)
GAY HOUSE, Matthias Road (1956)
GEARY HOUSE, Ring Cross Estate (1927)
Modernised by G.L.C. 1972.
Named after Mrs. Ann Geary. A sum of 50 pounds stock in South Sea annuities was invested in 1728 ‘to be laid out in
bread and distributed to the poor on the 8th of August’. Known as ‘Geary’s Gift’.
GEARY STREET
Before 1938 HOPE PLACE, Hope Street, Holloway (1845).
Barnsbury Boys Central School 1931. re-named Barnsbury Sec. School for Boys, 1947-51. Closed 1967. Pupils go to
Highbury Grove School.
GEE STREET (1784)
Former Alfred Place, abolished 1888.
Built by Osgood Gee, a descendant of one of two families, the Gees and Osgoods, owning the land. Re-numbered
1889.
John Gee, a convert from the Jesuit communion, in 1624 published ‘The Foot out of the Snare’, a list of 263 priests
then dwelling or lodging in London, of whom 70 were Jesuits.
COTSWOLD COURT 1953, PARMOOR COURT 1953. Parmoor is in Bucks. SAPPERTON COURT 1953. Sapperton is in
Gloucestershire.
GEE STREET RECORDS was a British hip hop record label started by Jon Baker in 1985. The label’s name came from its
original location, a converted warehouse on Gee Street, Islington. Between 1980 and 1984, Jon Baker lived in New
York City. After returning to London in 1984, he became a hip hop promoter. In 1985, Baker opened Gee Street
Records and be.g.an releasing ground-breaking white-label dance and hip hop records. The label developed a stable
of prominent domestic UK acts, including DJ Richie Rich, Outlaw Posse, the Stereo MC’s, and US acts, including P.M.
Dawn, Doug E. Fresh, Gravediggaz, and New Kingdom. In 1990, Gee Street was acquired by Chris Blackwell’s Island
Records. After Blackwell left Island and the PolyGram group in 1998, Baker re-bought his label and sold it to Richard
Branson’s V2 Records. The label was closed in 2001.
GEORGE GILLETTE COURT, Banner Street (Whitecross Estate) (1968)
GEORGE PLACE
See St. John Street.
GEORGE STREET, Upper Southampton Street (1827)
Still in 1860 rate books, near the Canal bridge.
GEORGE STREET
Was there in 1899. After 1911 GRIMALDI STREET.
GEORGE STREET, King Street (1816)
Re-named Hartnoll Street In 1911,
GEORGE YARD, Islington High Street (1838)
GEORGES COTTAGES, St. George’s Court
Appeared 1846-53 only.
GEORGES COURT (St. George’s Court)
There 1720. After 1824 ALBION PLACE.
GEORGES GROVE (1853)
Later part of the Caledonian Road, end of Georges Road.
GEORGES PLACE, Holloway (1806-7)
Built by George Pocock.
GEORGES ROAD
Formerly Georges Place (1806-7) and The Grove, Holloway (1841).
Cornwall Cottages, Matilda Place, Georges Grove, Waterloo Place, Enfield Row, Upper Georges Place and Upper
Grove Cottages. See also WATKINSON ROAD. The St. James’s School, Georges Road (in connection with the former
Church of St. James, Chillingworth Road (closed 1946). These schools were built in 1854, replacing former ones
dating from 1838 built on part of the church grounds. Re-organised 1925, closed 1947-51.
For 20 years the Sunday School Superintendent was Arthur Stocks, R.I. (18461889), son of Lumb Stocks (1812-92),
line engraver. Arthur Stocks painting ‘Sermon Time’, in the possession of Islington Libraries, was exhibited at the
Royal Academy in 1879.
Islington’s VC, Driver Horace Harry Glascock, RHA, was presented by Islington Council with a gold watch, purse of
gold etc.., for his heroism for which he won the VC at Sanna’s Post in the Boer War. An oil painting of the
presentation is near to the Council Chamber at the Town Hall. He was only 21 when this took place. His family were
associated with the George’s Road area.
The Royal Victory public house, George’s Road nos.83-91, was there from about 1937 but located on the opposite
side of the road was formerly another public house from as early as 1832.
BRAMALL COURT 1973. Named after Sir E. Ashley Bramall, DL, Chairman of the GLC, 1982-3 and Leader of ILEA,
1970-81.
GEARY HOUSE 1927. Modernised in 1972 by the GLC. See GEARY HOUSE for origin.
HARTNOLL HOUSE 1927. Modernised in 1970 by the GLC. Named after Mary Ann Hartnoll and J. P. Hartnoll who in
the 1870-90 period owned Hartnoll Cottages, George Street, renamed Hartnoll Street in 1911.
MEAKIN HOUSE 1973. Named after George Healey Meakin, Borough Treasurer of Islington, 1910-43, died aged 73,
1st May 1947.
PRICHARD COURT 1973. The Rev. Alfred Prichard represented West Islington on the LCC from 1928-45. The Alfred
Prichard Primary School was named after him. Norman Prichard, Chairman of the LCC in 1955 visited the school
named after his father. This is sometimes erroneously spelt Pritchard.
RADFORD HOUSE 1927. Modernised in 1974 by the GLC. Sir George Heynes Radford (1851-1917) was MP for
Islington East from 1906 until the year of his death in 1917. He was succeeded by Edward Smallwood, a Liberal, who
only served between the by-election in 1917 and the 1918 General Election when Alfred Baldwin Raper, the timber
merchant and Royal Flying Corps pilot and a Unionist (Tory), was elected.
SOLDENE COURT 1973. Bulit by the GLC in 1973. Named after Emily Soldene, died 8th April 1912, aged 72, star of
light opera at the Philharmonic Hall, later Grand Theatre, who also wrote a novel, Young Mrs Staples (1896). I n her
hey-day she was a famous soprano. Her father had been a lawyer in Duncan Terrace and she was born in Islington.
TEALBY COURT 1974. Built by the GLC 1974. Named after Mrs, Mary Tealby who in 1860 started a home for Lost and
Starving Dogs in Hollingsworth Street. Mrs. Tealby died in 1865 and in 1871 it moved to Battersea and became the
famous Battersea Dogs’ Home. An Islington People’s Plaque to Mary Tealby was unveiled at Freightliners Farm,
Sheringham Road in October 2015.
WESTBROOK HOUSE 1932.
GEORGES ROW (1832)
After 1911, DINGLEY PLACE, Finsbury,
GEORGES TERRACE (1844)
After 1864, nos.32-56 Copenhagen Street.
GEORGES TERRACE (1844-7)
After 1966 renumbered 71-83 St. Peter’s Street.
GERRARD ROAD
Before 1937 GERRARD STREET 1843. Completed by 1848.
Gerard was one of the subsidiary names of the Earls of Gainsborough, also of the Barham family; in the 1843 rate
book it is spelt Gerard Street, not Gerrard. James Rhodes and Thomas Cubitt agreed to form this road in 1841.
CHARLES LAMB COURT 1957. Named after Charles Lamb [Elia), see DUNCAN TERRACE.
GIBSON HOUSE, Pentonville Road (over 233/235) (1890) Until c.1945.
GIBSON SQUARE (1831)
Until 1873 also included Charles Street.
In the 1832 rate book appears nos. 1 -13 only. The ground landlords were the Trustees of Thomas Milner Gibson
(1806-1884) of Theberton Hall, Suffolk, friend of Charles Dickens and Disraeli. Besides being MP for Ipswich and
President of the Board of Trade, he was a prominent yachtsman, the last to sail in the Mediterranean under a pass
from the Bey of Algiers. This is commemorated by a tablet in the English church at Algiers. He died on board his
yacht, the Resolute in that vicinity.
From 1843-9 Samuel Maunder (17851849), compiler, well-known in the early Victorian period, lived at no.67.
George Darnell (1798-1857) conducted a large day school in Islington. His copy books were famous from c.1840 and
he designed school books to make school easier for both pupils and teachers.
GIESBACH ROAD
First appeared in an 1878 Islington directory.
Named after the Giesbach Falls, Bernese Oberland. This name was applied for in 1873 for permission to name to the
Metropolitan Board of Works.
GIFFORD STREET (1855)
See also under THORNHILL SQUARE for
St. Andrew’s Mission Hall.
In 1959-60 an extensive area was cleared by the LCC and acquired by compulsory purchase.
As early as 1877 contained a ‘Public Elementary School’ of the London School Board, later Gifford County Secondary
School, by 1959 superseded by one in Risinghill Street. The Bishop Gifford Building has since 1968 been used as the
Upper School of the St. William of York RC School.
The Gifford Hall Mission was in existence in 1872 but does not appear in Islington directories until 1883. The Mission
Hall was opened in 1882, registered 1901 but closed after 1952and also fora time in 1918.
Francis Clarke, founder in 1887 of Christian Endeavour, with Benjamin Clarke, in the USA formed a Christian
Endeavour Society at the Mission, the second in England and the first in London.
The KESKIDEE ARTS CENTRE has since 1972 used the Mission Building.
GIFFORDS BUILDINGS, Elder Walk (1845)
GIFFORDS PLACE (1844)
GILLESPIE ROAD
The name was applied for by Mr. William Lee on behalf of the British Land Co. Ltd in 1871 to the Metropolitan Board
of Works. The British Land Company was also concerned in the development of Benwell Road, Park Place, Highbury
Hill, College Street and St. Thomas’s Road.
The road was ‘made up’ in 1879. After 1881-2 it incorporated Gillespie Terrace, Railway Terrace, Rose, Park, Raleigh,
Melrose, Alfred, Charles and Shearman Terraces and the whole was renamed Gillespie Road.
Gillespie Road Wesleyan Methodist Mission Hall was in use from 1878-1932.
The Gillespie Primary School commenced in September 1878 in this Hall, but was officially opened by the Rev. J
.Rodgers, 2nd August 1879 as a school and is still an I LEA School whose Diamond Jubilee was in 1929. I n 1957 it was
re-organised for Junior Mixed and Infants.
ARSENAL (Highbury Hill) Piccadilly Line station opened on the 15th December 1906, but was called Gillespie Road
until Herbert Chapman, then Arsenal manager, suggested the name Arsenal at a famous period in the Club’s history.
London Transport agreed to the name after the 31st October 1932.
In 1892 Michael Stephens opened a remarkably designed factory of the firm of Henry Stephens & Co, ink
manufacturers, established by his grandfather, Dr. Henry Stephens at Stamford Street, Blackfriars in 1832. Michael
designed it like a Venetian palazzo and it also had an illuminated chimney. By 1972 only one wall of the factory, later
demolished, remained and the Nelson Place housing department, built by J. and J.Dean (Contracts) Ltd of Ilford took
its place.
KENTON HOUSE 1971.0TLEY HOUSE 1971, LEISTON HOUSE 1971, TANNINGTON TERRACE 1971. All these places are
in Suffolk.
GIRDLESTONE ROAD (c.1881/2-1971)
GIRDLESTONE WALK (Girdlestone Estate) (1975/6)
GIRTON MEWS
See MOR LAND MEWS.
GISSING WALK.N1 (1975)
Named after George Gissing (1875-1903), novelist of Victorian working-class life who from 1879-80 lived at 5
Hanover Street (now 60 Noel Road).
GLADSMUIR ROAD (1891)
Gladsmuir is in East Lothian, Scotland.
GLADSTONE PLACE, Hornsey Road (1867) By 1886 nos.384-396 Hornsey Road.
GLADSTONE STREET (1903)
After 1937 CHRISTIE STREET.
Named after William Ewart Gladstone (1809-98), Liberal Prime Minister, 1868-74, 1886 and 1892-4, a leading
protagonist of Home Rule and a social reformer.
GLASSHOUSE CHAMBERS, Glasshouse Yard (1874-C.1945)
GLASSHOUSE YARD, Goswell Road
Was there in 1699. See also UNION PLACE: There was a Liberty of Glasshouse Yard.
GLEBE TERRACE, Lower Road (1824) By 1866 nos.412-432 Essex Road.
GLOSTER BUILDINGS
See GLOUCESTER PLACE.
GLOUCESTER COURT, Whitecross Street (c.1659)
GLOUCESTER CRESCENT, High Street (1843)
In 1913 altered to TETBURY PLACE.
GLOUCESTER PLACE (1817) From 1829 -1839 entered as York Buildings, 1840 Gloster Buildings, 1841-55 Gloucester
Place and by 1860 nos.59-66 Upper Street.
GLOUCESTER ROAD, Seven Sisters Road (1860)
Altered to Salterton Road 1913.
GLOUCESTER ROAD, Downham Road (c.1860)
After 1863 ALMORAH ROAD.
GLOUCESTER STREET (1826) Upper Gloucester Street c.1841. After 1936 Gloucester Way. Carriage way continued
through Spa Green, 1892.
GLOUCESTER WAY
Before 1936 Gloucester Street.
GOAT YARD. Whitecross Street
Was there from 1738 until the 19th century.
GODFREY HOUSE, Bath Street/Old Street (St. Luke’s Estate) (1969) Named after Michael Godfrey, a former Deputy
Governor of the Bank of England killed in July 1695 as a sightseer to the Battle of Namur.
GODSON STREET
Was there 1901.
GOLDEN LANE
Nos.1 -43 and 2-20 part in the City, Re-numbered in 1862. Originally Golding Lane and even Goldyng Lane and
Goldyngges Lane in the 14th century. Probably from a landowner or property landlord surnamed Golding.
Between Whitecross Street and Golden Lane was the Fortune Theatre built for Edward Alleyn and Philip Henslowe,
1599, opened in 1560, destroyed by fire in 1621, rebuilt and continuing until the 1647-8 Ordinance suppressing
playhouses. Plays enacted there included ones by Thomas Dekker and Christopher Marlowe.
The GOLDEN LANE ESTATE dates from the 1957-62 period.
GOLDIE HOUSE, Hazellville Road (Hornsey Rise Estate) (1979)
Commemorates the Rt. Hon. Sir George Dashwood T. Goldie, PC, KCMG, DCL, FRS, (1846-1925) a former LCC
Alderman.
GOODE STREET
Before 1912 COBURG STREET. Named after John Joseph Goode (1876-1902) a Finsbury Borough ward Councillor.
There was also a T.Goode of 8 St. James’ Walk and at 30 Aylesbury Street who was responsible for many juvenile
publications.
The SKINNER’S ARMS formerly in existence, was a favourite venue of Pierce E.g.an, Smirke and Cruikshank.
GOODINGE CLOSE, North Road (1974)
GOODINGE ROAD, (1885)
Re-numbered in 1900 (included the former Corinth Road). Disappeared by 1972.
GOODWIN STREET, Roman Road (1840- c. 1867)
GOODWIN STREET, Fonthill Road
In the 1866 directory are nos.1,2,4 and 5-7 Goodwin Street, Westbourne Road. Not in the 1870 directory or the
1869/70 OS map.
On the 1881 census as Goodwin or Goodman Street. Last in the 1971 register of Electors. In the 1874 directory as
Goodwin Street, Fonthill Road.
GOOSE YARD. St. John Street
In 1865 it was layerage for cattle. Named after Goose Farm and earlier still before 1828, a receptacle for geese.
GORDON CLOSE, Highgate Hill (1905)
Originally in 1905 Gordon Place and so until 1939 when altered to Gordon Close. See also GORDON PLACE.
GORDON HOUSE, Pentonville Road (1890)
There until 1959.
GORDON MANSIONS, Anson Road (1962)
GORDON PLACE, Upper Holloway (1830)
Near Whittington Place, Highgate Hill, in an 1844 rate book.
GORDON STREET, City Road (1840)
In 1864/6 Gordon Street, St. Peter’s Since 1937 QUICK STREET.
GORDON TERRACE, Wharf Road (1946)
By 1870 nos.1-33 Wharfdale Road.
GOSWELL ROAD
In existence in Elizabethan times. Takes its name from an ancient spring called Godewell (Goodwell) afterwards
Godeswell, Gosewell and Goswell.
Abandoned names include Ratcliffe Terrace (1861), Frederick Place (1861)
GOSWELL STREET (1864)
Before 1937, nos.193 and 195 were Spencer Place. Partly re-numbered 1861,1864,1894,1905, 1910 and 1926.
Here in Charles Dickens The Pickwick Papers, the benign Mr. Pickwick lodged with Mrs. Bardell
Messrs. Carter Paterson were here c.1860 and in 1946 were running a joint parcels service with Pickfords.
Nationalised in 1948.
Gordon’s Gin (Messrs. Tanqueray, Gordon & Co.) from 1748-1985 had premises at 132 Goswell Road.
GOSWELL STREET
Probably formed about the time that the ground was taken in for building the Charterhouse c.1371. On some old
maps as Pickaxe Street.
CHARLES GREEN, aeronaut (1785-1870) born Goswell Street. Made 521 ascents 1821-52. Invented the guide rope.
Balloonist.
In 1843 Thomas Hancock (1786-1865) discovered vulcanisation. In 1847 he introduced solid rubber tyres on road
vehicles and carts. His factory at 166 Goswell Road was burnt down in 1834.
GOTHIC VILLAS
Part of Canonbury Park West up to 1867.
GOUGH HOUSE, Windsor Street (1954)
Named after the late Cllr. William Bunyan Gough, Mayor of Islington, 1958-9. Died aged 70 in February 1976.
His brother Cllr. E. Gough, Mayor, 1971 -2, died in 1983.
GOUGH STREET, WC1
Before 1938, Clarence Street, c.1848-1853.
GOULDEN TERRACE (1823 and 1825) Named after James Goulden, a builder, of Penton Street.
By 1866 nos.16-36 and 40-62 Barnsbury Road.
GRACE STREET
By 1938 SHIRLEY STREET. Gone by 1975.
GRAFTON ROAD, Seven Sisters Road (1855)
By 1938 EBURNE ROAD.
GRAHAM ROBERTSON HOUSE, Aberdeen Park (1953)
GRAHAM STREET (1843-44)
Named after James Graham, owner of City Gardens in 1847.
The ‘Prince of Wales’ public house, Vincent Terrace, dates from 1861-2. At 16-24 are the headquarters of Islington
Boat Club (ILEA) situated on three acres of water of the City Road Basin, Regent’s Canal. A founder of this Club here
in 1970 is Mrs. Crystal Hale of Noel Road.
For many years BDH (British Drug Houses International Ltd) had their headquarter works here until taken over in
1967 by Glaxo Ltd who now have Winston House (Glaxo Holdings pic).
CANAL COTTAGES (363 Graham Street) 1983, JESSOP COURT (99 Graham Street) 1969.
In 1879-80 it incorporated Macclesfield Street North, Graham Street and Hanover Place.
GRAHAM TERRACE (1871)
By 1886 nos.2-26 Rocliffe Street.
GRANBY TERRACE (Hornsey Road-Albany Place junction)
In the rate books for 1850-55.
GRANGE GROVE
From 1867-1938 GRANGE ROAD.
Renumbered throughout and named Grange Road, 1866.
Grange Road and Canonbury Park West 1851-1867.
Canonbury Park 1847 (six houses only and in 1845 only one or two entered under ‘Canonbury’).
E.g. nos.7-9 Grange Grove were before 1867 1-2 Dover Villas, Canonbury Park West 1851. No.12 was Rollesby Villa,
Canonbury Park West 1851.
ELIZABETH KENNY HOUSE 1954. Named after Elizabeth Kenny (1886-1952), the Australian nurse who developed the
‘Kenny’ method of treating poliomyelitis.
TENSING HOUSE 1954. Named after Norgay Tensing, GM. Norgay was born 1914, celebrated Sherpa climber and
mountaineer. Died, aged 72, May 1986. WILLIAM LODGE 1954.
GRANGE HOUSE, Highbury Grange (1937)
GRANGE ROAD, Canonbury
See GRANGE GROVE.
GRANGE ROAD, Seven Sisters Road (c. 1872/3)
After 1878 ROCK STREET, N4. GRANT STREET
Before 1938 Warren Street. Parts formerly Warren Villas and Cottages (1892).
Named after Sir Robert Grant, MP for Finsbury 1832-4.
GRANTBRIDGE STREET
First so called in the 1909 register of electors. Before 1909 Oxford and Cambridge Terraces (St. Peter’s Street)
c.1854-63.
Named after Grantabreyg, the Anglo- Saxon name of Cambridge.
GRANVILLE PLACE, Kings Cross Road
After 1936 GWYNNE PLACE.
A grand archery fete took place here on the 12th August 1812.
GRANVILLE SQUARE (1841)
Built on the 19th century Lloyd Baker estate. Thomas Lloyd Baker married Mary Sharpe, niece of the campaigner
against slavery and abolitionist Granville Sharpe (1735-1813).
Formerly contained ST.PHILIP’S CHURCH (architect E.B.Lamb) erected 1832.
The parish is now part of that of the church of the Holy Redeemer, Exmouth Market.
William John Pinks (1829-60), historian of Clerkenwell, was born in Great Bath Street, died at no.30 Granville Square,
aged only 31, 12 November 1860. He had previously lived at 10 Guildford Place.
Joseph Grego (1843-1908), art critic and writer, lived at no.23.
Margaret Goldsmith, writer, lived at no.1.
GRAYSON HOUSE, Radnor Street (1961) Named after Frederick George Grayson, a superintendent of Radnor Street
Sunday Schools and Mission, formerly in Radnor Street.
GREAT ARTHUR HOUSE, Golden Lane (1963)
GREAT ARTHUR STREET, Goswell Road (1740)
Before 1896 part was New Court. There till c.1965.
GREAT BATH STREET (1725)
After 1937 TOPHAM STREET.
Henry Bone, RA (1755-1834) enamel painter to the Prince of Wales 1800 and to the King 1811 lived in 1784 in Great
Bath Street.
W.J.Pinks was born there. See under GRANVILLE SQUARE.
Emmanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) Swedish philosopher and scientist lived there in 1771 and wrote from there The
True Christian Religion.
Walter John Rendell had a birth control shop opened in 1885 in Great Bath Street, 1917 at 15 Chadwell Street. Well
known for ‘Rendells’, soluble quinine pessaries. In the early 1950s as W.J.Rendell Ltd, manufacturing chemists, 16
Rosebery Avenue.
GREAT BRIDE STREET (1840)
After 1863 14-28 Ellington Street.
GREAT MITCHELL STREET
See MITCHELL STREET.
GREAT PERCY STREET
Built c.1839-40.
Names Amwell Street and Soley Terrace, abandoned 1862. Also listed as Upper Percy Street and Lower Percy Street.
Partly renumbered in 1909.
On the site of Myddelton Gardens, ‘small enclosures belonging to private individuals resident in Clerkenwell who
cultivated these as allotment gardens’.
Wharton Street, Percy Circus, Lloyd Square, Holford Street and Square and Vernon Street and Square were built on
the site.
Built on land belonging to the New River Company, the directors of which were Robert Percy Smith (1770-1845),
lawyer, MP, elder brother of Sidney Smith Advocate-General (1803), known as ‘Bobus Smith’ and renowned for his
wit and Latin verses and from 1827-45 a Governor of the Company and Robert Vernon Smith (1800-73), Baron
Lyvedon.
Barry Cole (born 1936), poet and novelist, lived at 18 Great Percy Street.
SANDERS HOUSE 1951.
GREAT SUTTON STREET
Before 1777 Great Swan Alley. Little Sutton Street was Little Swan Alley.
Named after Thomas Sutton (1532-1611), English merchant and founder of the Charterhouse School and Hospital.
Between Allen Street and Great Sutton Street was a market formerly called Swan Alley Market. Most probably
Sutton Street (Swan Alley) was the home of Gabriel Varden, the locksmith in Charles Dickens’ novel Barnaby Rudge.
Swan Alley was there in 1666.
The family of John Benjamin Dancer (1812-1887) the inventor of micro- photography, lived from 1804-1818 at 52
Great Sutton Street.
GREAT SWORDBEARER’S ALLEY
There in 1738. By 1813 LAMBS PASSAGE, Chiswell Street.
GREAT WARNER STREET
Known as Great and Little Warner Street by 1775. In the 17th century and by 1727/8 Warner Street. After 1877
WARNER STREET.
For information re Henry Carey see under SALLY PLACE.
GREATFIELD CLOSE, Palmers Estate, N19 (1980)
GREAT WILLIAM STREET
After 1864, including ‘Alpha Cottages’ renumbered 155-221 Copenhagen Street.
GREEN LANES
So named in the rate books as early as 1831.
Fourteen large houses were built fronting Green Lanes, 1854-1864, in addition to the house at the corner of Paradise
Road (built between 1829 and 1841).
Before 1900 certain parts were in Stoke Newington and now part of the road is still in the Borough of Hackney.
An ancient road, originally a green or grass track.
By 1885 Green Lanes incorporated Green Lanes, The Terrace, Paradise Place, Newington Hall Villas, Bertram and
Finsbury Park Villas and Woodbury Vale,
The castellated engine house of the New River Company like a castle keep was designed by Chadwell Mylne whose
waterworks and reservoirs date from 1854-6.
Green Lanes were once used for trotting matches by farmers, butchers and other tradesfolk.
In 1874 a gentleman living in ‘Fort House’, Green Lanes, wrote to the Islington Vestry complaining of the noise made
by tram bells.
BEDFORD COURT c.1963, NEWINGTON GREEN MANSIONS 1910, rehabilitated 1979-81.
GREEN TERRACE, Rosebery Avenue
(facing the New River Head) (c.1828) There until 1974. Named in memory of John Grene, a former Clerk to the New
River Company.
GREENAWAY HOUSE, Margery Street (1931)
Kate Greenaway (1846-1901) lived at various addresses in Islington from c.1851-1885. Her mother kept a milliner’s
shop in Upper Street, now Allan’s shoe shop, no.147 from c.1851- 1878/9. A plaque unveiled there on 8th August
1985 commemorates the residence of this artist and book illustrator, whose delightful illustrations of Victorian
children are so well known. The Borough also has a Kate Greenaway Nursery.
Her father leased 11 Pemberton Gardens from c.1873-1885 and from 1877 she had a studio in College Place,
Liverpool Road.
GREENHILLS TERRACE, Mitchison/ Baxter Estate (1983-4)
Built 1980.
GREENMAN STREET
Before 1874 Greenmans Lane.
There was in 1739 an ale house with the sign of the Green Man. After June 1873 renamed and renumbered. In rate
books as Greenmans Lane as early as 1810 on R.Dent’s large scale map of 1806 and Baker’s map of 1805. Before
then, e.g. 1735 Currier’s Lane.
In 1829 a fur manufactory employed between 40 and 50 people. This was kept by Thomas Wontner & Sons, hatters,
of Minories. Thomas Wontner is alleged to have built Tibberton Square (q.v.).
The Peabody Trust buildings in Peabody Square (four blocks of buildings comprising 155 tenements with
accommodation for over 650 persons) date from 1866 and are named after George Peabody (1795-1869) who gave
half a million pounds to London, from which, among other things, were erected, ‘dwellings for the working-classes of
London’.
At no.8 Greenman Street from 1877-1887 were the premises of a beer retailer, the ‘Tibberton Arms’ being there in
1890.
GREENWOOD HOUSE, Rosebery Avenue (1954)
Designed by the Borough Engineer of Finsbury Council.
There were four Greenwoods connected with the Sadler’s Wells.
Thomas Longden Greenwood (1806-79) was the son of Thomas Greenwood, a well- known scenic artist. His father
was also a scenic artist and wrote songs for the Wells and his father was there in Rosoman’s day! Thomas Longden
Greenwood was a Clerkenwell druggist, part-manager with R. P. Honner of Sadler’s Wells 1839, acting manager
1841, lessee 1842-44, partner with Samuel Phelps 1844-60. He was also a writer of pantomimes and theatre scripts.
GREETINGS HOUSE, rear of 56b Highbury Grove (1981)
GRENDON HOUSE, Collier Street,
Priory Green Estate (1951)
Land originally belonging to the Priory of St. John of Jerusalem. Walter Grendon was Grand Prior 1408 and also in
1416.
GRENVILLE PLACE, Hornsey Rise (1860-1)
By 1886 500 Hornsey Road (Grenville House).
GRENVILLE ROAD
On an 1863 Directory Map and on 1869 large scale OS map. In a directory for 1866 map but only three houses listed
in the 1870 directory. In 1887/8 incorporated Grenville Road, Seymour Terrace, Oak Villas, Providence and Laburnum
Cottages, Syme Terrace, Granville and Platina Villas.
GRESLEY ROAD (1882)
An unpaved road in 1884, then consisting of 1-11 Windermere Villas, nos.15-18, 26, 28-30, 32, St. Edmund Villa,
Meerloo Villa, Clarendon Villa, Talbot House and 3 Chatsworth Villas.
Gresley is the name of the railway station serving Church Gresley, Derbyshire.
GRICE COURT, Alwyne Square (1953)
Named after William Stanley Grice, architect, who died in 1953,
GRIFFIN TERRACE
In the 1880 rate books, but by 1882 FAIRMEAD ROAD.
GRIMALDI HOUSE, Calshot Street (1927)
Joseph Grimaldi (1779-1837), clown, lived at various Clerkenwell addresses and was connected almost all his life with
Sadler’s Wells theatre. Buried in the churchyard of St. James’s, Pentonville, next to his friend Charles Dibdin. See also
Exmouth Market.
GRIMALDI STREET
Before 1911 George Street. Was there 1899. There until 1957/8.
GRIMTHORPE HOUSE, Percival Street, Percival Estate (1952)
Edmund Becket, KC, LL.D, JP (1816-1905), 1st Baron Grimthorpe, was well-known for his restoration of St. Alban’s
Cathedral and was an authority on clocks, architecture and astronomy. Clerkenwell is associated with horology and
jewellery, watch-making, etc..
GROSVENOR AVENUE
Before 1938 GROSVENOR ROAD 1860.
Built up 1870-1, see also under NORTHAMPTON PARK.
Contained Park Presbyterian Church 1863 (architect: E.Habershon). Bombed 1940. In 1952 only the facade
remained. Park Church House, 108a (1955) commemorated the former Church.
From c.1870-1915,’Stanmore’, 149 Grosvenor Road, was the home of Sir John Pound (1829-1915), Lord Mayor of
London 1904-5. His son Sir John Lulham Pound (1862-1937) lived at 118 Highbury New Park.
H. A. C. Saunders, Electrician in Chief to the Eastern & Associated Telegraph Co. and from 1855-1905 a pioneer in
submarine telegraphy and one of the pioneers of the first Atlantic Cable, lived at 111 Grosvenor Road.
CANONBURY STATION was opened 1st December 1870. Formerly Newington & Balls Pond (1858).
STATION HOUSE was originally Canonbury Railway Station House.
EVE COURT 1957, PARK CHURCH HOUSE 1955.
GROSVENOR STREET (1851)
By 1915 PROVENCE STREET. Ceased by 1964.
GROVE, The (Georges Place), Holloway (1826)
By 1853 GEORGES GROVE.
GROVE COTTAGES, Georges Place, Holloway (1823)
GROVE LANE, Upper Holloway (1844-9)
GROVE PLACE (c.1808)
By 1836 MASON PLACE since pre-1912
MASON’S PLACE, Central Street, Finsbury.
GROVE ROAD and GROVE PLACE (1850)
After 1940 TOLLINGTON WAY.
GROVE STREET, Little Cross Street (1853)
GROVE STREET, Holloway (Georges Road)
So named in 1924 but not in 1939.
GROVE VILLAS (1845)
By 1865 part of Highbury Grove (nos.1-33odd).
GROVE VILLAS, Hornsey Rise (c. 1873/4)
By 1887 nos.41-57 Hornsey Rise.
In 1878 and in the late ’70s John Harvey, the father of Sir John Martin-Harvey (18631944), famous actor and actormanager,
lived at 3 Grove Villas. Sir John was there as a child. Later became 53 Hornsey Rise.
GRUB STREET
Probably from Grube = a ditch or drain. 13th century. So named until 1830 when it became MILTON STREET (q.v.).
The famous Grub Street of literary hacks, starving poets and unsuccessful writers.
GUERNSEY HOUSE. Marquess Road (1959)
GUILDFORD COTTAGES, Little William Street
In 1841-5 rate books.
GUILDFORD PLACE (1817)
W. J. Pinks lived at no.10, the author of the History of Clerkenwell, born in Great Bath Street, who died in 1860 in
Granville Square.
GUILDFORD STREET (1820-1)
Guildford Street East changed to Attneave Street 1895.
GUINESS COURT, Lever Street 1976«>
On the site of Guinness Trust Buildings, 18901890-1975.
GULLAND WALK, Marquess Estate (1975-7) Gulland Rock is off the Cornish coast, 3 miles north east of Trevose Head,
GUN ALLEY, St. John’s Street
There in 1738. Later Gun Court until the 1860s.
GWYN JONES HOUSE, Sunnyside Road (1974)
A hostel for the mentally ill. Named after the late Alderman David Gwyn-Jones, former Headmaster of Ambler School
and of Stoke Newington School. Mayor in 1946, CBE (1966), and (except for a period in the late 1960s) Leader of the
Council until he retired in 1972. He died in 1982 aged 76.
GWYNNE’S BUILDINGS (1763)
Corner of Goswell Road and St. John Street.
Front gardens converted to shops in 1827. Still there in 1880.
GWYNNE HOUSE, Margery Street (1931)
London and Westminster by John Gwynne (died in 1786) was published in 1766; author’s name also written as
Gwyn. Mentions Clerkenwell.
Nell Gwynne is alleged to have had a summer rendezvous at Bagnigge House, near Bagnigge Wells Road (Kings Cross
Road). Later Bagnigge Wells Spa & Pleasure Gardens, closed by 1840.
GWYNNE PLACE, WC1
Before 1936 Granville Place. Was there in 1812.
GYPSEY LANE
Before 1870 the o Id name of Mountgrove Road.
H
HADEN COURT, Lennox Road (1955)
Named in memory of the Rt. Hon. Leslie Haden Haden-Guest, MC, 1st Baron Haden- Guest of Saling (1877-1960),
Labour MP for North Islington, 1937-1950, the second Islington MP to be elevated to the peerage. Founder of the
Labour Party Commonwealth Group.
HADLEIGH HOUSE, Mildmay Park (19761
Sheltered housing.
Hadleigh is in Essex, north east of Benfleet. Hadleigh House was the name of the farm colony in Essex belonging to
the Salvation Army.
HAGBUSH LANE
This lane was certainly there as early as 1735, It had a circuitous route and went by the present ‘Adam & Eve’ public
house, Liverpool Road site, crossed over the site of Copenhagen House (see COPENHAGEN STREET), over the site of
North Road, along Corporation Street, Middleton Road, over Camden and Carleton Roads, along Huddleston Road,
over the railway line, Junction Road, Brookside Road to Highgate Hill.
By 1854 Adam and Eve Lane, 1860 Westbourne Road East, after 1897 part of SHERINGHAM ROAD.
The name was derived from the Saxon for ‘hawthorn berry’. For a time it was known locally as Packhorse Lane. It
became famous for William Hone’s writing about it in both his Every Day Book and Table Book in the summer of
1825. It concerned a mud and thatch cottage inhabited by a poor Hertford-shire labouring man, William Corrall,
together with his wife and child. This self-erected mud edifice stood between the land of two rich property owners
and it was levelled to the ground by their agents. Hone gave publicity to this act of oppression in the 19th century
annals of the poor. Corrall Road keeps this story alive.
The Lane is also supposed to have been the occasional means of escape from the law of Richard Turpin (‘Dick
Turpin’), the celebrated highwayman, born 1706, hung 1739.
HALE STREET, Arlington Street (1850) After 1938 REES STREET.
William Hale, MA (1795-1870) was Master of the Charterhouse, 1842-1870 and a Prebendary of St. Paul’s, 1829-40.
He published accounts of Christ’s Hospital and of the Charterhouse.
HALES PRIOR, Calshot Street (Priors Estate) (1973)
Prior Robert Hales was elected Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in 1372 and was in 1380 Treasurer of the
Exchequer. In 1381 he was beheaded on Tower Hill by the insurgents under Wat Tyler.
HALF MOON ALLEY
Later Half Moon & Seven Stars Court, Old Street. Was there from 1723 until about 1850.
HALF MOON CRESCENT, Charlotte Street (1826)
Much rebuilding in 1981.
The Vittoria Primary School (ILEA) was opened by Lady Plowden in 1968, one of two schools in London then with
split-level classrooms, as an experiment. The architects were Hubert Bennett, Michael Powell and Ronald RobsonSmith,
on behalf of the Architects’ Development Group of the DES.
The original school dated from 1879, but was demolished 1965-6.
HALIDAY HOUSE, Mildmay Street (1970)
HALIDAY WALK
Before 1914 Prospect Row (1866), Prospect Cottages and Palm Terrace. Name disappeared 1972-4.
Named after Alderman William Haliday, Alderman and Mercer of London (died 1623), whose eldest daughter and
heiress Ann, married Sir Henry Mildmay. Ann died in 1656 and was the mother of two sons and three daughters.
HALL STREET, EC1
Built in 1822 by Joseph and James Hall. PERE.G.RINE HOUSE 1971.
HALLIFORD STREET (1845)
Lower and Upper Halliford are near Shepperton, Middlesex.
No.8 was the home from 1970-6 of Lord Britten (Benjamin Britten the composer) (1913-76) and Sir Peter Pears who
died in ApriI 1986. On the 9th of October 1985 Sir Peter had unveiled a plaque to Lord Britten.
HALSBURY HOUSE, Holloway Road (1936)
Named after Hardinge Stanley Gifford, 1st Earl of Halsbury (1823-1921), QC, English lawyer and statesman, four
times Lord Chancellor between 1885 and 1905 and from 1907 to 1917 editor of the celebrated 31 volume The Laws
of England.
HALTON COTTAGES, Halton Street (1848)
Not in local directories by 1866. Now 25 and 27 Halton Road.
HALTON HOUSE, Halton Road (Loraine Estate) (1934-5)
HALTON MANSIONS (1922)
On the site of Canonbury Villas.
Bombed in September 1940. Rehabilitated and modernised in 1981 and in January 1985 again, when the
modernisation was opened by Jeff Rooker, MP, Labour Party housing spokesman.
HALTON PLACE. Halton Street (1836)
HALTON PLACE. Pickering Street (1848)
HALTON ROAD (1812-17)
Before 1863/6 Halton Street, together with a number of other subsidiary names. On 17th July 1863 the Vestry
decreed that ‘the line of road from Cross Street to Canonbury Road commencing with Halton Street be called Halton
Road throughout and that the names of subsidiary places be abolished and that the houses be numbered
alternately.’
E.g. nos. 11-23 Halton Road were before 1866 7-12 Halton Street (1817-19). 72-84 (even) were before 1865 1-8
Sussex Place, no.8 being ‘Sinclair’s Cottage’ (1834-5).
In 1812 there were only four houses listed.
The street is named after Sir William Halton (died c.1662) of Little Samford Hall, Essex, created a baronet in 1642. His
second wife was Ursula, daughter of Sir Thomas Fisher of Islington. Sir Thomas Halton died at Newington Green in
1726. The baronetcy became extinct in 1823.
See under ESSEX ROAD re Fisher House.
Sir William was the subject of a fine full- length portrait by Van Dyck. The family were lords of the manor of
Barnsbury from 16561754, when the Manor passed into the possession of William Tufnell Joliffe.
In 1845 Thomas Edlyne Tomlins (18041872), author of the scholarly Yseldon: a perambulation of Islington (1858)
lived at 4 Halton Place, Cross Street but by 1852 had moved to 3 Park Street and by 1857 to 3 Charles Street, Gibson
Square.
Harry Bedford (1873-1939), famous for his song ‘A little bit off the top’ (a hit in 1898), music hall performer, singer
and comedian, lived from as early as 1882 and after 1909 at 99 Halton Road. His name is given as Henry Bedford.
ST. MARY ISLINGTON C. of E. Primary School had its origin in the original parish school, a Charity school of 1710 held
in a room over the porch of St. Mary’s parish church in Upper Street. The present building was opened in 1967 and
enlarged 1969-70.
The BELINDA CASTLE public house site, the original hostelry dating from c. 1900, was 1950-1 re-developed as a
housing project. See under CANONBURY ROAD for the one at 63 Canonbury Road.
ARUNDEL HOUSE 1901 (rehabilitated 1977), BROOKFIELD HOUSE 1901 (rehabilitated 1977), FIRCROFT 1961, HALTON
HOUSE 1934-5, BARTON HOUSE c. 1945, FARLEIGH 1962, FOWLER HOUSE 1905 (see under Cross Street for name
origin), HALTON MANSIONS 1922
HAMBLEDON CHASE, Crouch Hill (1964)
HAMILTON PARK
Before 1938 Hamilton Road.
Before 1878 part of Hamilton Road was Panmure Terrace, Raglan Terrace, Hamilton Place (1855), Hamilton Terrace
(1854) and Hamilton Road. Re-named Hamilton Road in 1875.
Richard H. Walthew (1872-1951), composer, lived from 1910-1914 at 44 Hamilton Road and from 1885-1905 at 38
Highbury Place.
HAMILTON PARK WEST
In 1968 was Hamilton Park, before 1938 Hamilton Road.
Named after George Hamilton Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen. See ABERDEEN PARK.
Newbury Lodge, Hamilton Park West, 1963.
HAMILTON PLACE and HAMILTON ROW,
Kings Cross Road.
There 1797. Name abolished 1863.
HAMMON HOUSE, Penn Road (1971)
HAMOR COTTAGES, Hornsey Road (1842)
HAMPDEN ROAD
In 1855 only two houses built.
Built up further, 1856-9. Named after John Hampden (1594-1643), stout defender of English liberty in Parliament.
Hampden Hall (Free Baptist. 1866. Disappeared by 1896).
Hampden Road gone 1969-70.
HANDA WALK, Marquess Estate (1975/6)
Handa Island is in West Sutherland, 3 miles north west of Scourie.
HANLEY COURT, Hanley Road (1934-5)
HANLEY ROAD (1830-7) See also SUTHERLAND VILLAS.
The road was only completely formed by 1885. Before 1855, ‘several semi-detached villas had existed along the
north side. From 1870-6 a terrace of houses was built at the eastern end on the north side and a sewer constructed.’
In 1877 the south side was laid out for building. From 1877-1885 83 houses were erected. Numbering was changed
between 1886 and 1888.
This road and the former SYLVANUS ROW (1831) was named after the father of Sylvanus Charles Thorp Hanley
(1819-1900), one a celebrated conchologist and naturalist. He was the son of William Hanley of Oxford whose name
appears in the rate books for Islington as early as Xmas, 1830 and also owned property at Newington Green. Of the
same family was Edgar Wilkins Hanley who formerly lived at No. 27 Hanley Road and exhibited at the Royal Academy
from 1878 to 1883.
Like Colebrooke Row, the Hanley Road academies were well-known. There was a ladies’ school at No. 1 and the
Hanley House Academy was another well-known one.
Adjoining Sutherland Villas, Hanley Road, was in the 1850’s a ladies’ school known as ‘Mansion House’, later to
become the North London Homes for Aged Christian Blind Women by 1885-6. In Sept. 1949 this building was
adapted as part of the City of London Maternity Hospital. A new building was opened in April 1950 by the Lord
Mayor and in 1965 the then Lord Mayor Alderman Sir James Miller, opened extensions and a new ward. Formerly
the City of London Lying-in Hospital on a corner site in City Road. Architect: Robert Mylne, 1773. Hospital obsolete by
1903 and a new building was opened in 1907, later the hospital moved to Holloway.
TRENT HALL, 61 Hanley Road (1938) closed by 1954.
At 63 Hanley Road died on 12th October 1889 Arthur Stocks, R.I, (1846-1889), see under GEORGES ROAD.
The Hanley Road Infants’ School is shown in Islington directories under Cottenham Road as early as 1878.
The ARTHUR SIMPSON LIBRARY, named after the late Councillor Arthur A. Simpson Chairman of the Public Libraries’
Committee, 1950-9, was opened on 2nd July 1960 by Mrs. Joan Fienburgh, widow of Wilfred Fienburgh, MP for
North Islington, 1951 – Feb., 1958. Architects: E.C.P. Monson.
ST. SAVIOURS with St. Paul, Hanley Road. Architect: J.P. Cutts 1887-1900. In 1953 the Parish of St. Paul’s, Kingsdown
Road was officially merged with it.
HANLEY ROAD WEST (1865-6)
In July 1876 incorporated in Marlborough Road.
COTMAN HOUSE, Hanley Road 1964.
John Sell Cotman (1782-1842) and his sons Joseph John Cotman (1814-78) and Miles Edmund Cotman (1810-58)
were well- known British artists, John Sell in particular being a master of water-colour painting.
CRAIGLAND MANSIONS. 1917-18 HANLEY COURT 1934-5, SHELLEY COURT 1958, VINCENT COURT 1936.
HANMER WALK, Andover Estate (1977)
Meredith Hanmer (1543-1604), MA, DD, was an historian and also the Vicar of Islington from 1583-1590 and also of
St. Leonard’s, Shoreditch, 1581 -92. He became a prebendary and vicar-choral of Christ Church, Dublin and published
translations of Eusebiusand Socrates and a Chronicle of Ireland (printed 1633). He was accused in England of
celebrating an ille.g.al marriage and was also alleged to have been called as a witness in a scandal involving Queen
Elizabeth I having a child by the then Earl of Shrewsbury. He was also alleged to have used the brass off funeral
monuments at Shoreditch as coin for his own use. J. Nelson in his history of Islington describes him as ‘a perverse
parson.’!
HANOVER STREET (1845-7) After 1938 NOEL ROAD (q.c.).
Hanover Street School was opened in 1877 (Architect: E.R. Robson, rebuilt, 1931, Edwin Paul Wheeler).
HAPPY MAN ROW
See KINGS ROW. See also NOEL ROAD.
HARBERTON ROAD (1892)
Harberton is in South Devon. In 1891 a Mr. N. Pratt lived in a house called ‘Harberton’ next to one called ‘Whitehall’,
St. Aloysius’s School, Hornsey Lane. The house was there in 1866. It is also interesting that ‘Yorke Harberton’ was at
the time, the 1890’s, the public school hero of a novel by G.A. Henty.
HARCOURT HOUSE, Canonbury Place (1967)
HARECOURT ROAD
Before 1938 ALMA ROAD from c. 1859.
The former Harecourt Congregational Church erected in 1854 opened in October 1857. Architects: E.&W.G.
Habersohn. Seated 1300 in 1884.
The first Chapel was founded in Soper Lane, City of London, in 1648and the Minister visited John Bunyan in Bedford
Gaol, In 1692 it opened at Hare Court, Aldersgate St., hence the name.
A former Minister from 1898-1903 was the Rev. Dr. H. Elvet Lewis (1860-1953), poet, preacher and former Arch
Druid of Wales.
The Minister until 1875 was Alexander Raleigh, DD (1817-1880), in 1868 and in 1879 Chairman of the Congregational
Union. His fifth child and only son, born at 4 Highbury Quadrant was Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh (1861-1922). The
Church was burnt down on 20 December 1982 and services held in an adjoining house. NORTON LODGE 1967.
HARCOURT PLACE (1876)
By 1881 York Road and by 1910 Dingley Road.
HARDINGE STREET, Wellington Street (1848)
Since 1938 BATTISHILL STREET.
Named after 1st Viscount Hardinge, Sir Henry Hardinge (1785-1856), field-marshal in 1855 and a great ally of the
Duke of Wellington. He watched Napoleon’s movements on his escape from Elba in 1815.
HARFORD PLACE
Name abolished 1872, re-named WYNFORD ROAD.
HARFORD PLACE, John Street, Upper Holloway (1870)
By 1874 nos. 42-50 WEDMORE STREET.
HARGRAVE MANSIONS, Hargrave Road (1905)
Re-habilitated 1980-1.
HARGRAVE PARK ROAD
After 1902 HARGRAVE PARK.
On a map of 1855 and mentioned in a Minute Book of the Vestry of October 1858. In 1860 there were only 20
houses.
In 1848 Mary Hargrave owned 8 acres of Maiden Lane fields and in 1866 a William Hargrave owned the counterpart
lease of 3 Oak Villas, Bickerton Road.
In 1875 the name CUBA TERRACE was discontinued and the houses re-numbered.
Hargrave Park J.M. School opened the 20 Sept. 1878. A primary school from 1947; Unit for those with partial hearing
from 1977.
With effect from 1981, the Development of Linden Walk, Elm Close, Birch Close, Hazel Close, Aspen, Pine and Laurel
Closes, Forest Way, Bredgar Rd. and Alder Mews, Larch Mews and Rowan Walk.
HARGRAVE ROAD
On O.S. Map 1869/70 as Hargrave Lane. In 1870/1 rate book as Hargrave Road.
HARLEY BUSH LANE (The Grove)
Between Georges Place and The Grove, Holloway. In rate books 1828-1833.
HARMATTAN ROAD (1885)
By 1886 LUCERNE ROAD.
HAROLD LASKI HOUSE, Percival Street (1952)
Opened by Morgan Phillips 6 December 1952.
Harold Joseph Laski (1893-1950) political scientist and writer was a member of the executive of the Fabian Society in
1922 and 1936 and of the Labour Party 1936^19 and Chairman 1945-6. He was a voluminous essayist and writer and
since 1926 Professor of Political Science, University of London.
HARRIETT PLACE, Holloway (1852)
by 1871 nos. 292-306 Holloway Road.
HARRIETT TERRACE, Holloway (1843) By 1871 nos. 294-310 Holloway Road.
HARRINGTON GROVE, Tollington Park (1848-9)
After 1894 nos. 47-67 and 52-70 CHARTERIS ROAD.
HARTHAM CLOSE, Hartham Road (1954)
HARTHAM ROAD
On an 1869/70 O.S. Map
Nos. 1-6 only in an 1871 Islington directory. Probably after Hartham Park, Wilts, as near to Beacon Hill and
Hillmarton.
Jonathan Richard Annison. a leading trade unionist of the London Coachmakers lived at No. 26 from 1898-1908.
HARTHAM CLOSE 1954, THORNTON COURT 1975.
HARTNOLL COTTAGES, George Street
Shown in the 1870 rate books as owned by J.P. Hartnoll and in 1890 by Mary Ann Hartnoll. Still there 1900-1.
HARTNOLL HOUSE, Georges Road (1927)
Modernised 1970.
HARTNOLL STREET
The re-name of George Street in 1911. Name last used, 1975.
HARVEST LODGE, Penton Street 1963
HARVIST ROAD (1864-5)
Including Tenby Villa, Harvist Road, as such, ceased to be so named 1969-70.
HARVIST ESTATE, Hornsey Road (22 Acres) Planned 1967. The first families moved in 1971.
Named after Edward Harvist, citizen and brewer of London who in 1610 bequeathed to the Brewer’s Company ‘two
closes or parcells of meadows called London Fields.’ The names Harvist Road and Citizen Road were approved in
1863. By 18 & 19 Vict. (1854-55) the Estate was transferred to the Commissioners of the Metropolis Roads.
ST. BARNABAS’S CHURCH (architect: Theodore Knowles Green) was consecrated 22 Feb 1866. It closed after October
1945, the parish being in 1946 divided between that of Emmanuel Church, Hornsey Road and St. Mary Magdalene,
Holloway Road.
The St. Barnabas Mutual Improvement Society had from 1870-1900 a Free School in Harvist Road, in 1901 taken over
by the School Board for London. In 1912 the LCC used it as a school for the partially-sighted and in 1921 -22’it was
the Holloway Day Continuation School for those discharged from employment in munitions factories. The LCC did
not renew the lease in 1922.
CITIZEN HOUSE 1970. HIND HOUSE 1970. Named after the Rev. W. Hind, MA, Vicar in 1892 of St. Barnabas’s Church.
LILLINGSTON HOUSE 1970. Named after the Rev. F.A.C. Lillingston, MA, Vicar, 1878-1887,
TALBOT HOUSE 1970. Rev. W. Talbot Hindley, MA, was Vicar 1887-1892 when the St. Barnabas’s Mission House,
Queensland Road, opened in 1888.
EVERETT HOUSE 1971. Named after Mrs. A.E. Everett, from 1912-21 Headmistress of the St. Barnabas’s School for
High Myopia (Partially-Sighted) which in 1921 moved to part of Upper Hornsey Road School.
SWAINSON HOUSE 1971. Vicar during the 1908-9 period was the Rev. Frank Swainson, when the parish was densely
populated. He was President of the St. Barnabas Temperance Society and a famous Vicar.
TENBY HOUSE 1971. Tenby Villa was in 1866 in Harvist Road.
HARWELL LODGE, 43 Lesly Street (1960)
HASLAM CLOSE, off Islington Park Street (1981)
HATCHARD ROAD
Formerly Abercorn Road. First in the 1884 Directory.
ST. GABRIEL’S, Hatchard Road. The original St. Gabriel’s was opened as early as August 1928 and became a parish in
July 1964.
A new Church was opened on 10 Dec. 1967 to the designs of Gerard Goalen. FRIBA, for many years a partner of Sir
Frederick Gibberd, designer of Liverpool Cathedral
In 1982 British Rail leased a small site, undisturbed for over 20 years as waste land, as a wild-life nature study area.
HATFIELD HOUSE, Golden Lane (1962) The former Hatfield St., Goswell Road was there c. 1727.
The Golden Lane Estate was in construction 1961-2.
HATFIELD STREET, Goswell Road
Was there in 1727 until 1969. Re-numbered in 1895.
HATHERSAGE COURT, Newington Green (1970-1)
On the site of the former nos. 2-11 Newington Green.
Hathersage is a parish in N. Derbyshire with a seat, Hathersage Hall.
HATLEY ROAD (1884)
East Hatley and Hatley St. George are in Cambridgeshire.
No. 30 was the boyhood home of Josef Holbrooke, see HOLBROOKE COURT.
HAVELOCK STREET (1856-9) Named after General Sir Henry Havelock (educated at Charterhouse) KCB, (1795-1857)
who won world-wide renowned for his conduct in the Indian Mutiny 1857/8 and the relief of Delhi and Cawnpore.
HAVERFORD TERRACE, Wharf Road 1849
After 1867 nos. 2-24 Wharfdale Road.
HAVERSTOCK STREET, City Road (1852)
Before the 1900 period in the Finsbury borough area.
HAWES STREET
From 1841-1937 named ALLEN STREET, Halton Road,
Named after Benjamin Hawes, former keeper of the Thatched House’ tavern and the father of William Hawes, MD
(1736-1808) founder of the Royal Humane Society. See ESSEX ROAD.
At no. 5 Allen Street was born on 27 Feb 1859 a man who claimed to have conversed with Charles Dickens, Henry
Walter Fincham (1859-1952) FSAnt, historian of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem of which he was a Knight of Grace
and who also wrote a history published in 1908 (2nd. edition 1926) of Canonbury House and Tower. He was a
pioneer of colour photography. About 100 of his photographs are of scenes and buildings in St. John parish,
Clerkenwell and are at the Finsbury Library,
In business in St. John Street, he devoted 62 years of his very active life to the Priory Church, to amateur
photography, to St. John’s Gate and its library and museum, to lecturing on local history and assisting Islington’s first
Chief Librarian, James Duff Brown (d. 1914) in the fight for open-access in public libraries.
HUME COURT 1960. After David Hume (1711-76) Scottish economist, philosopher and historian.
HAWKWELL WALK, Popham Estate (1978)
HAWTHORNE CLOSE, Kingsbury Road (1970)
Named after the former Hawthorne St.
HAWTHORNE STREET, Bails Pond Road (1860-3).
Ceased by 1969/70.
HAYES PLACE, Lower Road (1847)
The owner was a James Baldwin and it later became part of Dibden St. (q.v.). Here in 1860 was built St. Stephen’s
Infant School where in 1866 there was a complaint that the education of the scholars was being interrupted by the
manufacture of jam and pickles at the rear of the premises. The school closed in the 1880’s.
HAYHURST, Dibden Street (1962) HAYMAN STREET, N. 1 (1875-6)
HAYNE STREET
Partly City. Before 1871, Charterhouse St. The Hayne Family were connected with Clerkenwell.
HAYWARD HOUSE, Penton Street (1982)
HAYWARD’S PLACE (1834)
Part before 1908, Suffolk St. (1787-8).
After James Hayward (1701-1851) ironmonger of Aylesbury/ St. Owned 10 houses built in 1835. Destroyed in 1940.
Rebuilt, 1951, Hayward’s Place, Woodbridge St.
HAYWOOD LODGE, Hilldrop Crescent (1963)
HAZEL CLOSE,
Part of the Hargrave Park Development, with effect from Nov. 1981.
HAZELLVILLE ROAD (1864/5)
In 1866 there were only nos. 1 -6 and a house ‘Sunny Bank’.
Hornsey Rise Baptist Church dated from 1871 started in Duncombe Road in 1870. Permanent Church built, 1881;
War damaged, interior altered in 1948.
The former Aged Pilgrims’ Home (architect: F. Boreham), 2 Hazellville Road. Opened 1871, closed 1973. The building
was in the Tudor/ Gothic style.
The Alexandra Orphanage was instituted 27 Oct. 1864 ‘intended principally for the infant orphans of clerks,
warehousemen, shopmen, small tradesmen and respectable mechanics’. The Hon. Sec. was Joseph Soul and of the
Ladies’ Committee Elizabeth S. Soul of 11 Boxworth Grove. The Hornsey Rise Estate was in 1928 built on the site. The
Orphanage moved to Haverstock Hill, then to Gatton Park, Reigate, now becoming the Royal Alexandra and Albert
School.
In 1982 the former Bovis construction site was re-named Islington Boys’ Club. In Feb. 1984 Frankie Vaughan, the
popular entertainer, opened the new premises of the Islington Boys’ Club, formerly at Parkhurst Road.
ARTHUR HENDERSON HOUSE 1939 (q.v.), BRUCE GLASIER HOUSE (1939) (q.v.), CAROLINE MARTYN HOUSE 1939,
ENID STACEY HOUSE c. 1945.GOLDIE HOUSE 1979 (q.v.), JOHN WHEATLEY HOUSE c. 1945,
KEIR HARDIE HOUSE c. 1945 (rebuilding 1983/4),
LOUISE WHITE HOUSE 1977, MARGARET
MCMILLAN HOUSE c. 1945,
MARY McARTHUR HOUSE 1939, RITCHIE
HOUSE 1980, WELBY HOUSE 1979.
HAZLETON HOUSE, Cheverton Road (1974/5)
HEAME LANE
Also Hem Lane (so written 1827/34)
Joined Tallingdon Lane or Tollington Lane (later Hornsey Road and Stroud Green Road). Became the eastern part of
the Seven Sisters Road. Shown as Heame Lane on a map of 1735. Seven Sisters Road cut from 1830.
HEATHVILLE ROAD (1900)
HEDGE ROW
Known as the Hedge Row by 1668; on a map of 1735. In Islington directories and rate books as late as 1855.
‘On the west side of the high road leading from High St. to Islington Green and Upper St.’ Now approximately the site
of nos. 50-74 UPPER STREET.
Contained two former inns with the sign of the ‘Unicorn’ (there in 1611) and one called the ‘Blue Last’ (so called in
1668 and also in 1813). A parish officer of Islington was in 1795 alleged to have converted the pavement of the
Whittington Stone to pave the yard of the ‘Blue Last’ public house.
HEDINGHAM CLOSE, Melville Street Estate (1980)
Hedingham and Hedingham Castle are in east Essex.
HELMET ROW
Was there in 1732, Part before 1869 was Norman St. (c. 1779/80).
Built on land belonging to the Ironmonger’s Company their livery company arms feature a helmet.
In 1843 the Row had a baker, undertaken, manufacturers of heel ball, manufacturers of rope, a spring jack maker,
clock case maker and a maker of watch materials.
William Cason the Elder (1692-1766), typefounder, opened his first workshop in Helmet Row in 1725-6, later to
become no. 5.
St. Luke’s Rectory, 12 Helmet Row. Erected in 1774. Was by 1977 wholly converted for offices, but a ‘listed
building’.
HEMINGFORD COTTAGES, Hemingford Road (1844)
By 1863 nos. 43-91 Hemingford Road.
At no. 18 from 1854/5 lived Miss Hannah La Wrance (1790-1875), see A LB I ON G R O VE.
HEMINGFORD PLACE, Hemingford Road (1846)
By 1863 nos. 154-8 and 167-183.
HEMINGFORD ROAD (1845)
Before 1863 there were also Hemingford Place, Hemingford Terrace East and also West, Hemingford Villas,
Hemingford Cottages and Hemingford Road. Thornhill Terrace (1846) was by 1863 nos. 93-145 Hemingford Road.
Re-numbered after 1863,e.g.., 5 Hemingford Cottages became no. 51.
The HUNTINGDON ARMS public house dates from 1861/2. Named after Hemingford Grey, Huntingdonshire, home of
Matilda, the wife of George Thornhill, see THORNHILL.
In the 1970’s the Sisters of Loreto opened. a home at no. 149 Hemingford Road.
ST. THOMAS’S CHURCH, Hemingford Road. Architect: A.W. Billing. Built by Messrs Dove Bros, dated from 1860. The
church closed in 1946 and was demolished after 1953 and the parish merged with that of St. Andrews, Thornhill
Square.
For information on the Church schools see under EVERILDA STREET.
The Hemingford Arms public house was there as early as 1850/1.
HEMINGFORD TERRACE, Hemingford Road (1838)
Built by William Dennis and George Pike. In 1841 there were only nos. 1 -31. I n 1860 there were Hemingford Terrace
East by 1863 becoming nos. 2-102 Hemingford Road and Hemingford Terrace West (1843) becoming nos. 1 -39 and
St. Thomas’s former Church.
HEMINGFORD VILLAS, Hemingford Road (1846)
By 1863 nos. 104-152 Hemingford Road.
HEMINGFORD VILLAS WEST (1847)
Becoming nos. 147-165 Hemingford Road by 1863.
At Hemingford Villas died on 13 June 1851 Dr. Jonah Wilson in his 73rd year. His ‘Pharmacopoeia Chirurigica’ was
published in 1809 and a 2nd edition in 1811.
HENFIELD CLOSE, Miranda Estate (1977)
HENLEY PRIOR, Calshot Street (1973)
William de Henley was a Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in 1280, Departed ‘beyond the sea’ 1287, died
1288. Caused the cloister of Clerkenwell to be built in 1284,
HENRY PLACE, Copenhagen Street (1824)
In the 1855 rate books.
HENRY PLACE, Bride Street (1844)
Was on the site of what is now the rear of Fisher House, Barnsbury Estate.
HENRY STREET, Pentonville
There in 1778. By 1906 DONE.G.AL STREET.
The ‘Queen’s Arms’ PH was so-called by 1860, before then a beer retailer’s.
HENRY STREET, John Street, Lofting Road (1844)
By 1891 BELPER STREET. Closed 1969/70.
HENRY STREET, Old Street (1820)
From 1936 until about 1966,Steadman Street.
HENSHALL STREET (1891 -2)
Samuel Henshall.MA (1764-1807) was a noted philologist and the author of some topographical works and Rector of
Bow, 1802-7.
HENSON COURT, Addington Estate, Highbury Grange Rehabilitated 1979.
Leslie Henson (1891-1957), actor and musical comedy star, lived from 1898-1900 at 66 Aberdeen Road, 1901-5at
‘Belfiore Lodge’, 29 Leigh Road and 1908-1916 his family and relations lived at 1 2 Highbury New Park.
HERBAL HILL, Clerkenwell Road
Before 1937 Little Saffron Hill, EC1 (Holborn).
The name St. Peter’s Terrace was abandoned in 1911.
Originally part of a herb garden attached to the London palace of the Bishops of Ely. Ely Place, 1772, was built on the
site. John Gerard wrote his Herball (1597) and was then living in Holborn.
HERBERT CHAPMAN COURT, Avenell Road (1964)
Herbert Chapman (1875-1934), Association Football Club manager. Took over as manager of the Arsenal Football
Club in 1925 and in the eight years before his death Arsenal twice won the Football League championship, were
twice runners-up, won the FA Cup in 1930 and were twice the beaten finalists.
HERCULES PLACE (1866)
Originally nos.1-5 Hercules Road; continues to be so designated until 1968.
HERCULES ROAD (1866)
By 1939 part of Hercules Street.
HERCULES STREET (1866)
HERCULES TERRACE (c.1852)
Union Place, Upper Holloway, formerly ‘Holloway, East’.
By 1860, Hercules Terrace and by 1811-2 nos.498-506 Holloway Road.
HEREFORD TERRACE, James Street (1870)
By 1874 nos.13-21 Frome Street.
HERM HOUSE, Douglas Estate, Marquess Road (1958)
Herm is four miles north west of Sark, Channel Islands.
HERMES HILL
Here resided Dr. Francis P.de Valangin (1719-1805) on ground purchased c.1772. Named Hermes Hill after Hermes
Trismegistus, ‘the thrice great Hermes’. Then except for the White Conduit House, then the only house near the site.
Dr. Francis de Valangin was a physician and musician. In 1811 William Huntington, SS (‘Saved Sinners Huntington’)
(1744-1813) lived in the same house, Hermes Hill, Hermes Street. Hermes Street was later to be in 1938 only Hermes
Hill. Thomas Uwins, RA (1782-1857) water- colourist, genre painter and illustrator born in Hermes Hill.
HERMIT STREET, EC1 (1829/30)
Before 1937 BUXTON STREET.
HERMITAGE BUILDINGS, Friend Street (1885)
Owen Row and Owen Street covered a large field known as the Hermitage Field, see also OWEN STREET.
HERMITAGE HOUSE, Colebrooke Row (1959)
See COLEBROOKE ROW.
HERMITAGE PLACE, St. John Street Road Built c.1813.
Name abolished in the 1860s. Part of St. John Street.
HERONGATE HOUSE, Ridgwell Close (1978)
HERRICK ROAD
Robert Herrick (1591-1674) English poet, best-known for his ‘Hesperides’ and for his charming lyrics..
HERTSLET ROAD
On a large scale map of 1870. Occupied 1872/3.
No.1 was occupied 1877-1890 by Cornelius Crastin, nurseryman. The original Cornelius Crastin came from Holland in
1817, bringing with him his wife Catherine and his only son, also Cornelius, born in 1816. They had nursery grounds
on the site of Enkel Street and Hertslet Road.
The owner of the property was Robert Enkle or Enkel – until 1845.
Cornelius Crastin the Elder died 10th January 1849 aged 67. His tomb is still there in the churchyard gardens of the
church of St. Mary Magdalene, Holloway Road. From the 1833 period Cornelius Crastin worked as the nurserymanoccupier,
and, after his decease, his widow took over and the family were still there through the 1890s at no.1
Hertslet Road. Cornelius the Younger was from 1897-1905 at 16 Tollington Road. He was also the patentee of a lamp
advertised in the Holloway Press for 20th November 1886 and Crastin & Co, engineers were at 88 Blackstock Road,
1891-2.
In 1870 application was made for the name HERTSLET ROAD to be adopted. One of those suggesting this name was a
Mrs. Crastin.
Lewis Hertslet (1787-1870) was Librarian at the Foreign Office and also was the editor of eleven volumes of treaties
between Great Britain and foreign powers. His son also edited collections of treatises between GB and foreign
powers and Turkey and foreign powers; he was Sir Edward Hertslet, KCB (1824-1902).
The road was built up between 1877 and 1935.
HEXHAM LODGE. Mildmay Park (1966) Hexham is 20 miles west of Newcastle-upon- Tyne, Northumberland.
HEXTON HOUSE, Upper Street (1970) Hexton is 5’/2m north west of Hitchin, Herts.
HIDES STREET
In the 1887 Register of Electors.
Not in Islington street directories, even as late as 1905, apart from 1899 to date when Hides Terrace even had been
absorbed as part of Sheringham Road. The Hide was ‘a very old denomination of land among the Saxons’.
HIDES TERRACE, Westbourne Road East (c.1870)
By 1898 (see West. Register of Electors) absorbed in SHERINGHAM ROAD.
HIGH STREET
See ISLINGTON HIGH STREET. HIGHBURY
Appears as such on a map of 1735 and of 1806 and in rate books as early as 1 780. Must at one time have been part
of the Manor of Neweton Barwe, in neighbouring Stoke Newington. Thomas de Barwe held land in Islington and this
Manor stood on higher ground than either Canonbury or Barnsbury, hence the epithet ‘High’. Dame Alicia de Barwe
gave the lordship of Highbury and Neweton to the Priory of St. John of Jerusalem in England after 1271; the Manor
house of Highbury recorded as early as 1338 was the country house or refuge of the Lord Prior. Prior Sir Robert Hales
had almost completely rebuilt the manor house. However, in 1381 it was partly burnt and partly pulled down by
force by a mob of insurgents led by Jack Straw.
On 14th June Sir Robert was beheaded on Tower Hill and since at least the 18th century the site was known as ‘Jack
Straw’s Castle’. ‘Highbury Castle’ is a local nickname and London Transport have used the motif of a castle or moated
site for Highbury & Islington station. This moated house was on the north side of the site of Leigh Road, between
Highbury Park and Roseleigh Avenue. Not to be confused with the Hampstead ‘Jack Straw’s Castle’! John Dawes, a
wealthy stockbroker, filled in part of the moat and from 1778 until 1939 on the site of Eton House, Leigh Road was
the 18th century manor house of Highbury owned in its last period by the Church of England Zenana Missionary
Society.
See LEIGH ROAD, also under AUBERT.
HIGHBURY BARN
See under HIGHBURY PARK.
HIGHBURY COLLEGE
See under AVENELL ROAD.
HIGHBURY CORNER
See also COMPTON TERRACE and also DIXON-CLARKE COURT. Also ST. PAUL’S ROAD re Corner Theatre.
This has, of course, been there since early days.
However, on 27/28 June 1944 a German flying bomb V2 missile fell outside the Post Office and Compton Terrace
causing 24 deaths and 116 seriously injured.
In 1952 traffic lights were approved and in 1949, 1952, 1956 and 1958 major improvement schemes to deal with
traffic flow have altered the appearance of this celebrated corner.
At the corner with Highbury Fields is the South African War Memorial, unveiled 15th July 1905. Designed and
executed by the Australian sculptor, E. Bertram McKennal, RA, knighted in 1921 who also designed some of the
coinage of George V.
The original COCK TAVERN was there as early as 1780 with extensive rear premises, ‘a large yard stocked with trees’
as it was described in 1798; its original address was at 21 Wells Row. In 1850 it was sold to the East & West India
Docks and Birmingham Railway Co. and in 1872 became part of the building of Highbury Station.
The first wooden station was erected at Highbury corner in 1849; by 1853 the line had been renamed the North
London Railway. By 1865 the Broad Street terminus was available, by 1872 the new and palatial Victorian station had
been opened. On 28th June 1904 the station opened as HIGHBURY renamed HIGHBURY & ISLINGTON on 20th July
1922. Since 1948, of course, the Victoria tube has been built and this included the alteration of the old hotel cum
station of the North London railway, of which only a few pillars are still visible. This includes Mr. Horn’s ‘Cock
Tavern’, all bomb- damaged.
DIXON CLARK COURT, Canonbury Road 1966, SALISBURY HOUSE 1919.
HIGHBURY COTTAGES, Canonbury Road (1847)
By 1882 nos.118-122 Canonbury Road.
HIGHBURY COTTAGES, Holloway Road (1846)
Between Porter’s Row and Porter’s Place.
By 1866 nos.30-36 Holloway Road and livery stables.
HIGHBURY COURT, Highbury Crescent (1981-2)
HIGHBURY CRESCENT
See also HIGHBURY FIELDS.
Designed by James Wagstaffe, a local architect and builder. This contained only fourteen houses in 1846. Highbury
Gardens date from 1913. Highbury Crescent West became by 1905 Fieldway Crescent.
No.3 housed for a number of years the social work office of the Invalid Children’s Aid Association which in 1950
made a survey of chronically ill and disabled children in the area. It also housed since at least 1959 a Sandemanian
Chapel or Glasite Meeting house.
In 1884 Henry Charles Dove (1840-1895) moved in to no.22. See CLOUDESLEY PLACE re Messrs. Dove Bros.
James Goodby leased nos.19-25 in 1846 and helped James Wagstaffe, the local builder and architect in the
Crescent’s design.
Sydney T.C.Weekes, artist, an Islington resident for 42 years, studied art at ‘Hatherley’s’ and in 1936 lived at 7 York
House, Highbury Crescent. He designed and painted some of the first Underground posters and some early HMV
designs. He was one of the founders, with the late A.E.Hickman- Smith, of Islington Art Circle and its chairman for a
time, joint secretary of the London Sketch Club and a member of the Savage and Chelsea art clubs. He was also one
of the founders of the former Islington Pageant held in 1922. He possessed a notable collection of prints and
drawings, some of which he bequeathed to Islington Libraries. He died in April 1949.
‘Highbury House’ was originally erected for the building firm of J. Murphy and Sons, but since 1975 has been used as
Islington Council’s Social Service Dept. offices.
At 24 York House, lived up to 1940, when he retired after 26 years as Chief Librarian of Islington and nearly 50 years
in public library work, William J. Harris, FLA, also one-time President of Islington Antiquarian & Historical Society.
The daughter of Mrs. Jessie Helen Tandy of 21 York House was Jessica Tandy, actress, and the subject of a painting
by W. R. Sickert depicting her in Hamlet with Sir John Gielgud. Born 1907, she has been for many years a celebrated
actress of stage and screen with such as Lord Olivier, Fay Compton, Hume Cronyn, Cathleen Nesbitt, Sir John Gielgud,
etc., and she has a lengthy entry in Who’s Who.
At no. 11 Highbury Crescent lived Major Robert Holborn, a tea merchant who died 27 March 1892 and was a
benefactor, notably to Finsbury libraries. See SKINNER STREET.
HIGHBURY CRESCENT ROOMS, Ronalds Road (1929)
CUMBERLAND HOUSE 1905, HIGHBURY COURT 1981/2, NORTHUMBERLAND HOUSE 1901/2, WILMINGTON HOUSE
1966, YORK HOUSE 1905.
HIGHBURY CRESCENT WEST (1849-54) Extended after 1882. By 1905 FIELDWAY CRESCENT.
HIGHBURY FIELDS BUNGALOW,
Highbury Grove (1961)
HIGHBURY FIELDS
Highbury Fields were acquired in 1885 at a cost of £60,000, half of which sum was contributed by the Islington
Vestry, the rest the Metropolitan Board of Works.
A map of 1735 shows a footpath across the ‘Mother Field’, from Highbury Corner to the former Manor House site.
Now designated ‘Church Path’ it was a public footpath in the early 19th century.
The fields were until c. 1781 the freehold property of John Dawes, freeholder of Highbury Place and the builder of
the house which was there from 1781 -1938 (see Eton House, Leigh Road). This wealthy stock-broker died in 1788.
The Fields were purchased through solicitors from his descendants.
On 24 December 1885 the 24 1/2 to 25’/2 acres of the Fields were thrown open to the public by Sir John Edwin
Bradfield, a member of the Vestry as Chairman of the Parks and Open Spaces Committee of the Metropolitan Board
of Works. The workhouse boys band was there in attendance and the proceedings were followed by a luncheon at
the Cock Tavern.
By 1887 it was recorded that the fine turf and the larks that used to hover and sing had disappeared and ‘disorderly
characters frequented the fields’.
In 1891 a further 2 1/4 acres to the north of the fields were purchased. Open air band concerts used to be held in the
former bandstand and there were reviews in the Fields of Territorial Army corps. Since then the Fields have been
used for air raid shelters, circuses, bonfires, rallies and sporting events, horse riding exercise, religious crusades (e.g.:
Dr. Luis Palau in 1983).
From 1921-1979 there had been an open air swimming pool in the Fields, but on 23rd May 1984 Councillor Rosie
Dale, Mayor of Islington, opened the £1.5 million swimming pool. Councillor Alex Farrell, Chair of the Recreation
Committee and Jan Whelan, Vice-Chair, wearing striped bathing costumes, dived in. Girls from the Sadler’s Wells
production of ‘The Gondoliers’ were there.
On 15th July 1905 large crowds witnessed the unveiling by His Grace the Duke of Fife, KT, Lord Lieutenant of the
County of London, of a memorial to 110 Islingtonians who died for their country in the South African War, 1899-
1903. This beautiful memorial with its bronze figure of ‘Glory’, wreath held high, was designed and executed by Sir
Bertram McKennal, RA, KCVO (18631931), designer of George V’s coinage and of the Memorial tomb of Edward VII,
St. George’s Chapel, Windsor and the 1913 national memorial to Thomas Gainsborough, etc..
Queen Elizabeth’s Walk is named because of the notable visit of HM Queen Elizabeth 11 to Islington with the Duke of
Edinburgh, 6 July 1977,
HIGHBURY GARDENS, Highbury Crescent (1913)
Ceased to be so described, 1979/80.
HIGHBURY GRANGE (1826)
In 1826 there were only five houses, in 1852 only nos. 1 -7.
The name HIGHBURY GRANGE was chosen on the application of Henry Rydon, of Dell’s Farm, Beresford Road to the
former Metropolitan Board of Works in 1873. See HIGHBURY NEW PARK. It appears on a large scale OS map of 1870.
The name is most probably after a former grange of the Knights Hospitallers which is alleged to have been in use
from 1 271 until about 1549, A farm was there towards the latter part of the 18th century.
In 1848 Highbury Grange’s site was land owned by Louis Taverner, John Matthews, together with a field owned by a
Miss Horton and occupied by a George Weston.
Highbury Grange contains the Camden & Islington Area Health Authority’s Highbury Grange Health Centre which
opened in January 1973.
Felix Gardon (died 1946) had resided in Islington since 1904 and died in September 1946 at 13 The Grange, Highbury.
A pupil of Bellet and Lequien, he exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists in 1939 and the United Society of
Artists and since 1892 at the Salon of the Societaire des Artistes Francais,
Wallace Bligh Cheeseman (1865-1947) lived at no. 8 Highbury Grange, see FLORENCE STREET.
PECKETT SQUARE 1922, re-habilitated, 1980/1.
From 1854-66 at no, 10 Aberdeen Park lived George Peckett who represented the area on the Vestry and in
November 1858 was appointed a member of the Committee set up to establish Finsbury Park (opened in 1869).
From 1861 until he resigned in 1866 he represented the Parish on that Committee.
BOWEN COURT 1982/3.
CHESTNUTS, THE. 1946. Completed 1950. Designed by E. C. P. Monson. Completed in the autumn of 1945 until 1950
by his brother H. C. H. Monson.
GRANGE HOUSE 1937-8, HENSON COURT 1979/80 (q.v.)
MATTHEWS COURT 1980, After John Matthews, one of the site owners, 1848.
TAVERN SQUARE 1922. Re-habilitated, 1979, After Louis Taverner, 1848.
WOODSTOCK HOUSE 1973.
HIGHBURY GROVE
So described in rate books as early as 1 796. Before 1865 a number of subsidiary names, e.g. Grove Villas (1845/6)
became nos. 1-33 Highbury Grove. 26-38 Highbury Grove were before 1864 1-7 Aberdeen Park, Highbury Grove. 22
and 24 before 1865 were 4-5 Highbury Grove, dating from 1796-7,
I n 1864 the houses were re-numbered and after December 1874 the whole was re-named Highbury Grove and
subsidiary names abolished. In 1951 the LCC agreed to re-zone the east side of Highbury Grove for light industries.
From 1981 no. 56a has been called ‘Greetings House.’
Highbury County School for Boys during the period 1939-43 was evacuated to Huntingdonshire, then Somerset,
returning to London in 1943. In July 1944 it was bomb damaged. It had moved to Highbury Grove as Highbury County
School in 1922. On September 1, 1967 it opened as Highbury Grove School by an amalgamation of Highbury Boys’
Grammar, Barnsbury Boys Comprehensive and Laycock Boys schools. New buildings are on the site of the old
Grammar school. The letter’s Headmaster from 1966-7 and 1967-74 was Dr. Rhodes Boyson, MP, since 1983
becoming Minister for Social Security (DHSS).
Since 1975 the Headmaster has been L. J. C. Norcross, BA and the school has a roll of over 1370.
Before it was Highbury County School for Boys it was Highbury Truant School, officially opened in 1891 for the
reception of truants (Protestant boys only). From 1851-1891 it was a Church Missionary Children’s Home. A
swimming bath was built soon after the LCC took over in 1904 and it ceased to be a truant school in 1909, but until
31 March 1922 was Highbury Industrial School.
The licensees of the Highbury Barn were the Spencer Bros, see HIGHBURY PARK.
The balloon factory of C. G. Spencer & Sons was at 56a Highbury Grove and it is alleged that this converted garage
was visited by Count F. von Zeppelin, the German airship pioneer.
‘Ladbroke House’, used as a department of the Polytechnic of North London and by ILEA as a North London Science
centre, was where A. C. Cossor Ltd. are said to have pioneered cathode tube ray manufacture as early as 1902 and to
have done work for the Marchese G. Marconi. In 1918 they moved to ‘Aberdeen Works’ at the rear of 16-18
Highbury Grove. The ‘Melody Maker’ was a popular radio set before 1939 and this firm in 1962 was one of the first
to make X-ray tubes in the U K. The firm moved to Harlow and Messrs. Hilger and Watts, scientific instrument
makers, took over for a time.
At the top of Highbury Grove, near Christ Church, is the Jubilee Clock Tower, of cast iron presented to the Vestry by a
public-spirited local resident who lived at 62 Highbury Park, Alfred Hutchinson, to commemorate Queen Victoria’s
diamond jubilee, 1897, New dials were fitted in 1959. The plinth has been vandalised but the clock still survives and
is admired by lovers of Victoriana.
CHRIST CHURCH, Highbury Grove, was built 1847-8 on a site given by Henry Dawes and consecrated on 12 October
1848 by the Bishop of London. The architect was Thomas Allom (1804-1972) and the builders, G. J. Carter of Hornsey
Road. The Vicarage dates from c. 1875-6. The post-War windows of the church are by Francis Spear.
In 1980 a programme of renovation of the Church’s spire and structure be.g.an.
Miss Ellen Mary Cooper lived at 47 Sotheby Road. She died aged 103 in 1955 and was organist at various churches
for 50 years and had played at Christ Church in 1880!
The Canonbury Telephone Exchange since 1930 at no. 3 Highbury Grove was from 1846 the home of James Scott
Bowerbank, FRS (1797-1877), celebrated geologist and writer on fossils, the founder in 1836 of the London Clay Club
and in 1847 of the Palaeontological Society. When he moved in the house was the subject of a satirical lithograph
‘dedicated to the inhabitants of Highbury Grove’ and lampooning it as the ‘Dinotherium Dining Rooms.’!
A plaque bears witness to the fact that Charles Alfred Cruft (1852-1938) lived at 12 Highbury Grove, 1913-1938 and
his widow Emma Isobel was there until 1949. The house was demolished to make way for Highbury Grove School.
His annual dog show, still held, was from 1891 until 1939 at the Royal Agricultural Hall. It started in 1886 at the
Aquarium, Westminster.
Professor Leone Levi (1821-1888), FSA, FSS, jurist and statistician, died at 31 Highbury Grove. He was the author of A
plea for a public library in Islington (c. 1874).
Warwick Deeping (1877-1950), novelist, about 1893 boarded with the Rev. William Haines at no. 37. This clergyman
was one of the masters at the Merchant Taylors’ School, of which the author of Sorrell and Son was a pupil.
Deeping’s novel Paradise Place (1949) deals with Islington.
In January 1971 Dr. Sir Israel Brodie, former Chief Rabbi, dedicated the new Sarah Tankel House, the Jewish Welfare
Board’s home for the aged and infirm. It was opened by a daughter of Mrs. Sarah Tankel, Mrs. Bella Carole. Mr.
Alfred and Mr. Gerald Tankel gave the major part of the cost of the home. It replaced the former house on the site,
GROVE HOUSE, demolished in 1967. This was an extensive house with grounds. From 1804-36 it was owned by
Aeneas Barkly and called ‘Grove House’ until 1877. Aeneas was the father of Sir Henry Barkly, KCB, GCMG (1815-
1898).
Sir Francis Lycett, died at 18 Highbury Grove in 1880. He was knighted in 1867 and was a great benefactor and
sponsor of buildings for the nonconformist cause.
ASHURST LODGE 1964, FIELDVIEW COURT 1967, HUMEWOOD 1964, THE LIMES 1959, LYNTON LODGE 1963.
HIGHBURY HOTEL, nos. 48-50, known as the Paris Hotel or Hotel de Paris, before 1964, then the Highbury Hotel in
1964 and again later.
KATHARINE PRICE HUGHES HOSTEL (West London Mission) for girls on probation, c. 1962.
HIGHBURY GROVE COURT, Highbury New Park (1937/8.
HIGHBURY HILL (1788)
See also STOWLANGTOFT ROAD.
An entry appears in the 1788 rate book for ‘Highbury Hill’, later becoming ‘Highbury Hill House’. This imposing
mansion was built c. 1719 to the designs of Daniel Asher Alexander for Dr. William Saunders, FRS, FSA (1743-1817),
once famous for his work and publications on diseases of the liver. He was a physician at Guy’s Hospital and in 1807
for the Prince Regent. Joseph Wilson, Esq., lived there 1799-1851. His daughter Frances was the mother of Joseph
Lloyd Brereton (1822-1901), educational reformer.
The road, HIGHBURY HILL, was expanded and built up at various periods, e.g.: nos. 38-40 were built between 1841
and 1853, but other houses between 1871 and 1881.
Three new houses on a site at the rear of 40 Highbury Hill were in 1984 named, ‘nos. 1, 2 and 3 Coach House Lane.’
In December 1894 Dr. William Saunders former mansion, Highbury Hill House, was taken over by the Mayo School,
Kindergarten and non-Government Training College of the Home & Colonial School Society.
This fine Georgian house with its large garden at first proved ideal. By 1903 the school was generally known as
Highbury Hill High School but by 1912 it was taken
over as a Secondary School of the LCC. The old mansion was superseded by a new building in 1928. From December
1981 the school is called Highbury Fields School and it has merged with the former Shelburne School. It is an I LEA
County School for girls aged 11-19 and has a roll of over 830!
The former HIGHBURY HILL BAPTIST CHURCH, architect: Morton Glover, was consecrated 22 May 1878 and seated
over 1000. It closed 1953 and was demolished 1958. Tawney Court is on its site. In February 1959 workmen
discovered coins, a contemporary newspaper and other items beneath the 1869/70 foundation stone.
The Rt. Rev. William Boyd Carpenter, KCVO, DD, FRSL (1841-1918) was from 1870-9 Vicar of St. James, Holloway.
Later he became Canon of Windsor and honorary chaplain to the Queen and from 1884-1911 Bishop of Ripon. He
resided at 50 Highbury Hill and the libraries have a letter from him from that address.
DRAKELEY COURT 1968 (q.v. for origin of name).
HIGHBURY HILL PARK (1841-2) Built up from 1855-65, after 1878 DRAYTON PARK.
See also MORLAND TERRACE (1844) and FLOWERS BUILDINGS (1841).
HIGHBURY MANSIONS, Upper Street (1892)
Sydney Baynes, the composer of the famous ‘Destiny’ waltz who died 9th of March, 1938, lived from 1930-1 at no.
10.
HIGHBURY MEWS, St. Pauls Road On maps of 1828,1854 and 1871.
After 1892 included in CORSICA STREET.
HIGHBURY NEW PARK (1853)
The first entry in rate books for the property is for December 1853. As early as the autumn of 1850 Henry Rydon,
estate developer and brick maker of Dells Farm, Beresford Road and of ‘Pyrland House’ (no. 23 Highbury New Park)
acquired the land owned by Francis Maseres, later by Robert and William Fellowes. He employed as the architect of
these Italianate-styled villas Charles Hambridge.
In 1859 the estate included Paradise Road (since 1939 Collins Road) and, originally, before 1929, Paradise Row.
I n October 1863 the Vestry ordered that ‘the line of road from Highbury Grove to the Highbury New Park Tavern be
called HIGHBURY NEW PARK throughout and the houses numbered alternately.’ Before 1864 it was Highbury New
Park Road.
In 1875 the inhabitants were permitted to plant ‘at their own expense’ forest trees ‘from Highbury Grove to the
crossing near the Iron Church’ (Athenaeum Court is on the site) ‘provided that both sides of the Park be planted.’
ST. AUGUSTINE’S CHURCH, architects: W. G. Habershon & E. P. L. Brock, was originally a temporary building of wood
and iron but the present church was opened 20th of August 1870, the patronage until 1946 being vested in the
Rydon family. Henry died in 1885 but his son and grandson until 1946 continued to be the advowsons.
The organ was built in 1889 by Henry Willis and this was modernised in 1913 and 1936. However, bomb damage in
the Second World War resulted in a 1946 restoration by N. P. Mander and in September 1946 Sir Walter Alcock, Eric
Thiman, E. T. Cook and others gave recitals on this important Willis organ. A churchwarden was John Patterson of
the Carter, Patterson and Co. family.
ATHENAEUM COURT (1966-7) is on the site of the temporary ‘Iron Chapel’ which from 1864-70 was the predecessor
of St. Augustine’s, Highbury New Park. Then it became, by 1882, after the new church was opened the ‘Highbury
House of Commons Athenaeum’, its Secretary in 1915 being the late Alderman W. Mason Bradbear. Its postal
address was 96a Highbury New Park. HIGHBURY Fi LM STUDIOS, built in 1918, occupied the site, but closed for film
making in the late 1940s. The Rank Charm School also flourished there for young actresses and Rank in the late
1930s made second feature films to train young directors and actors. In the early 1950s High Definition Films were
there, in 1953 Norman Collins took over and it was Associated Television Ltd. studios, but closed in 1963.
‘Athenaeum Court’ opened in 1967 on the site. Preparation for careers in India were from 1855 until 1891 at 24
Highbury New Park, the Highbury New Park Collegiate School, also called Highbury New Park College>after 1903.
Taught classics, maths, languages. Although started in 1853, the road was not built up in parts until later, e.g. nos.
139-147 were in 1863 Tyrle Villa, Milton House, Sutton House. Nos 131-7 date from c. 1872/3.
Sir John Lulham Pound, JP, 2nd Baronet (cr. 1905) (1862-1937) was one of HM Lieutenants for the City of London
and represented the City of London on the LCC 1919-28 and was 1928-9, Master of the Leathersellers Co. He lived at
one time at 118 Highbury New Park and was the son of Sir John (see GROSVENOR ROAD).
The Rev. Joseph Parker, DD (1830-1902), Minister of the City Temple, 1869-1901, author, preacher and twice
Chairman of the Congregational Union lived in 1872 at a house called ‘Rosstrappe’, 16 Quadrant Road, Highbury New
Park. See also NORTHOLME ROAD.
Walter Dexter (1877-1944), Honorary editor of The Dickensian since 1925, writer on Charles Dickens and on other
London topics lived in the 1930s at 84 Highbury New Park. He took a leading part in obtaining 48 Doughty Street as a
Dickens House and Museum for the public.
Dr. David Livingstone (1813-73), world- famous missionary and explorer of Africa, was a frequent visitor to Hadleigh
House, 40 Highbury New Park, the home c. 1862 of Frederick Fitch, a millionaire butterman and also a deacon of
Harecourt Congregational Church.
Highbury Quadrant County Primary School was opened in February 1956 by Countess Attlee.
ASHFIELD HOUSE 1949, ATHENAEUM COURT 1967, BUSHFIELD HOUSE 1949, CROWFIELD HOUSE 1974, ELMFIELD
HOUSE 1949. FRENSHAM COURT 1964, HIGHBURY GROVE COURT 1937/8, HILLFIELD HOUSE 1960, LARCHFIELD
HOUSE 1953, LEXFIELD HOUSE 1974, PEARFIELD HOUSE 1948, PITFIELD HOUSE 1948, PONDFIELD HOUSE 1948, RAND
HOUSE (name first used, 1971), ST. PETER’S HOUSE 1972,SINCLAIR COURT 1953, SPRING GARDENS 1970.
HIGHBURY PARK (1812-15)
Park Terrace (1830) before 1877 was part of Highbury Park.
In 1874 the former Metropolitan Board of Works complained to Islington Vestry that the Postmaster General had
drawn attention to the fact of the inconvenience caused by ‘there being no less than seven places called Highbury
Park in the Parish.’
After 1875/6 there was considerable re-numbering, nos. 58,60 and 68-70 were nos. 1-7 Highbury Park dating from
1812; no. 43 was no. 11 Park Terrace (q.v.), nos. 54 and 56 Highbury Park are all that remain from ‘Thomas Cubitt’s
villas’ dating from 1821 by the celebrated architect Thomas Cubitt (1788-1855).
ST. JOHN’S, Highbury Park. Architect: William Bassett Smith (1831-1901). The Rev. Dr. Joseph Parker, DD c. 1866
lived at ‘North Holme’ Highbury Park. See also under NORTHOLME ROAD and under HIGHBURY NEW PARK.
Highbury Park shops date from c. 1872-3. Highbury Park, The Broadway, 1895.
HIGHBURY PARK SOUTH c. 1851. By 1870 LEIGH ROAD.
HIGHBURY PARK NORTH c. 1851. In 1852 only nos. 1 and 2, a Normal School and the Church of England Metropolitan
Training Institution. After 1874 AUBERT PARK.
HIGHBURY PARK TERRACE 1844. After 1877, part of HIGHBURY PARK.
HIGHBURY PARK WEST 1841-2. After
1874 HAMILTON ROAD, after 1938 Hamilton Park.
The HIGHBURY BARN took its name from a cake-and-ale house kept during the 1770 to 1785 period on a limited
scale by a Mr. William Willoughby in connection with Highbury Farm. Oliver Goldsmith who had rooms c. 1762-4 in
Canonbury Tower, used to go there. The place was extended by 1785 by Mr. Willoughby’s son, with a bowling green,
trap-ball ground and gardens. John and Archibald Hinton took over but from 1861-1871 under the proprietorship of
Edward Giovanelli (1824-1881) it reached its zenith and also its decline. But it had a huge open-air dancing platform,
‘The Leviathan’, an open-air theatre, ‘The Alexandra’ (opened in 1865 on a site near Kelvin Road). Here Eliza
Hamilton, the actress, played equestrienne in Byron’s ‘Mazeppa’. There were fireworks and gymnastic displays,
military bands, shady arbours, extensive grounds and open air refreshment facilities.
However, riotous assemblies took place and fashionable prostitutes like Cora Pearl frequented the Barn, then later
as it went gradually down the scale, thieves and pickpockets, etc.. and finally in June 1870 a Colonna Troupe of
dancers’ (allegedly risque) plus riots and vandalism made the respectable inhabitants of Highbury petition the Vicar
of Christ Church. Not before ‘street lanthorns’ had been broken and Highbury door knockers tied together and the
inhabitants roused late at night with resounding double-knocks! An application to the licensing justices resulted in
Giovanelli losing his licence in 1871. The gardens had been built over by 1883.
The modern tavern in Highbury Park had as its licensees until 1957 the ‘Spencer Bros.’, pioneer aviators. The firm
had balloon works (see under HIGHBURY GROVE). Herbert Spencer who died in 1949 aged 65 made 1250 balloon
descents and 250 parachute descents. He was born in Ringcroft Street and claimed in 1899 to have made the first
parachute descent from a balloon which was flown solo by his wife Rose (later to be Mrs. Rose Spencer-Pearson).
Stanley took his niece Marie Louise Spencer (Mrs. Townend) up in an airship which he piloted when she was aged
only 9 in 1902.
A plaque commemorating the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 unveiled in 2012 is located on Highbury Barn Tavern.
Benjamin Hopkinson lived from 1812-822 at the second house in Highbury Park. From 1792 to 1814 he was a coach
maker, with a business at 77 High Holborn.
In 1869 Thomas Bowman Stephenson, a young Methodist minister, founded the NATIONAL CHILDREN’S HOME in a
house in Church Street (later Exton Street), off the Waterloo Road. In 1925 the Home had its first chief offices at 85
Highbury Park. They took over the detached ‘Loxford House”, built in the 1850s, and extended it. Before 1925 they
were at the Leysian Mission, City Road. In 1951 the former Sisters’ Training School (opened 1935) was re-named
‘Stephenson Hall’ after the Home’s founder and in 1960 it was re-named the N. C. H. Staff Training College. Staff
training, however, had been in existence as early as 1873!
The Sisters’ Training School for Child Care Workers was established by the Rev. John Litten.CBE, Principal from 1933-
50 who came to the Home in 1917. He died in 1954.
HIGHBURY PARK BUILDINGS (shops) date from 1883.
Dr. Maxwell’s the HIGHBURY MEDICAL MISSION was in 1895 at 47 and 49 Highbury Park. Annie R. Butler wrote of it
in Nearly a Hundred Years Ago. of how the mission students used to encourage about 120 children of all
denominations to go to their house to which they moved in 1894 and in 1906 Sunday school classes were held at 54
Highbury Grove. Thomas Ernest Butler was until 1878 Assistant Secretary at the British Museum and died over 90
years of age in January 1907.
Edwin F. Teschemacher (1876-1940) lived at 1 Highbury Park North from 1860 to 1877. After 1874 this house
became no. 1 Aubert Park. In 1878 Mrs. Teschemacher is shown as the occupant. He wrote lyrics for over 1000 songs
including ‘Until’, ‘Because’, ‘Tommy Lad’, ‘O Lovely Night’ and ‘I know a lovely garden,’ He died 1 5th of May 1940.
BEAVER HOUSE, Highbury Park 1972. PARK HOUSE 1910,
See also KELROSS ROAD.
HIGHBURY PLACE
On building leases, 1774-9. Freehold estate of John Dawes. Commenced by John Spiller, who lived at no. 39. A print
of 1787 (about) shows haymaking in progress in the fields. John Spiller’s son was James Spiller who died in 1829 and
designed St. John’s Church. Hackney (1 792-7), additional buildings for the London Hospital, Whitechapel Road
(1781-3) and the Great Synagogue, Aldgate (destroyed 1940/1).
PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHAPEL (Strict Baptist) opened in March 1888. It is of red brick in the Nonconformist style.
Before then the congregation met at Providence Baptist Chapel, Providence Place, Islington Green, from 1853 to
1888, This chapel was then re-named Providence Hall and was used by the British Legion, the London Theatre Studio
Ltd. and various commercial enterprises. See also under NORTHAMPTON PARK.
A plaque is on the wall of no. 1 Highbury Place, from 1927-1931 a studio and school of painting kept by Walter
Richard Sickert, RA (1860-1942), a collection of some of whose drawings and etchings and a few paintings with a
large collection of ‘Sickertiana’ is at the Central Library. Here he painted ‘The Raising of Lazarus’ and also such
subjects as ‘George the Fifth and his trainer at Aintree’ or ‘Edward the Eighth in the uniform of the Guards’, the two
latter being based on press photographs.
A plaque on no. 25 records that from 1845 to c. 1854 this was the home of the Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain (1836-
1914), statesman, famous Colonial Secretary and the father of Sir Austen Chamberlain and, by his second wife, of
Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister from 1937-1939. He called his house, now demolished, in Birmingham,
‘Highbury’ after his childhood memories of Islington.
John Wesley is said to have frequently stayed at no. 25 towards the end of his life, when it was the home of John
Horton, one of his executors. This was prior to 1778.
JOHN NICHOLS (1744-1826), a very prolific writer, author of a history of Canonbury (1788) and for many years, with
Edward Cave, editor of the Gentleman’s Magazine lived for nearly 50 years until his death at no. 14 Highbury Place.
His ‘Literary Anecdotes of the 18th Century’ and his account of the Royal progresses of Queen Elizabeth I are two of
his celebrated works.
Samuel Lewis, Junior, author of his 1842 published history of Islington and of Islington as it was and as it is (1854)
lived at no. 28.
Samuel Sharpe (1799-1881), Egyptologist and translator of the Bible, lived at no. 32 from c. 1850 until his death. His
daughter Matilda and the Rev. Robert Spears founded Channing House School, Highgate.
At no. 38 lived Abraham Newland (17301807) whose signature reproduced on banknotes (he was appointed Chief
Cashier to the Bank of England in 1782) made them nicknamed ‘Abrahams’. He lived and slept in rooms over the
Bank doing work outside duty hours so rigidly was he devoted to nearly 60 years work at the Bank. He was in charge
when Robert Aslett, a clerk at the Bank, embezzled sums of money and Newland is alleged to have ‘died of a broken
heart’.
William Ward (1787-1843), financier, was born in Highbury Place, July 1787 and was a Director of the Bank of
England and an expert in foreign exchange.
Thomas Wilson (1746-1843), treasurer to Highbury College (see AVENELL ROAD), who had the Claremont Chapel and
other nonconformist churches built at his sole expense, was one of the first directors of the London Missionary
Society and an originator of London University. His son was Joshua Wilson (1795-1874), barrister and author.
Thomas died, 17 June, 1843 at no. 12, his son Joshua then living at no. 35.
Joseph Vincent (1802-90) of 24 Highbury Place was of Huguenot descent, 20 years a Vestryman and for many years a
Trustee of the parish. A bosom friend of Dr. William Harvey and a great campaigner to secure the purchase of
Finsbury Park and to improve Islington Green. See also HIGHBURY FIELDS.
HIGHBURY QUADRANT (c. 1872/3)
Extensively re-numbered after 1953; road built up between 1874 and 1881. Until 1875 the Minister of Harecourt
Congregational Chapel and in 1868 and 1979 Chairman of the Congregational Union was Alexander Raleigh, DD
(1817-1880). His fifth child and only son, born at no. 4 Highbury Quadrant was Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh (1861-
1922), writer, literary critic and Professor of English Literature at Oxford.
Highbury Quadrant County Primary School was opened in 1956 by Countess Attlee; re-organised for Junior Mixed
and Infants, c.1973.
The original HIGHBURY QUADRANT CONGRE.G.ATIONAL CHURCH was built in 1881 in place of an iron chapel erected
on the hill in 1878, between Blackstock Road and Highbury New Park. Designed by John Sulman, it seated 1370 in
1884. The Church was restored in 1933. Vibration and war- blast had damaged the building and in 1957 a new
church was re-opened and re-dedicated, seating only 250,
The BIRCHMORE HALL and Birchmore Walk are named after Edward Birchmore, citizen and coachmaker and a
churchwarden in 1750 of St. Mary Islington, buried 24 August 1761. He was the grandfather of the wife of Richard
Collins (1755-1831), miniature painter,
Arthur Ernest Hickman-Smith, FRSA, died, aged 80 in September 1956, artist, poet and writer. His daughter Eileen,
also an artist, lived at one time in Baalbec Road. He founded, with others, Islington Art Circle, in February 1942 and
was in 1956 living in Northolme Road. During the 1950s he lived at 8 Highbury Quadrant.
BIRCHMORE WALK, QUADRANT ESTATE 1954, RIVERSDENE 1968, TWELVE ACRES 1969.
HIGHBURY SQUARE
The Highbury Square housing complex cost Arsenal £130 million to build, replacing the former home of Arsenal
Football Club, Highbury Stadium, which the club vacated in May 2006 when it moved into the new Emirates Stadium
in Ashburton Grove (see Ashburton Grove). It was officially opened in 2009 by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. That
year, Arsenal sold 150 apartments in Highbury Square to London & Stamford Property at a 20 per cent discount to
market value because several buyers failed to complete apartment purchases. Arsenal cleared their debt on
Highbury Square by 2010. Highbury Square has 650 flats. Designed by Allies and Morrison, the Square’s design has
been commended by critics for creating “a feeling of openness and nature” while also providing “protection and
privacy”. Upon opening, Highbury Square’s design won the MIPIM Special Jury Award.
HIGHBURY STATION
See HIGHBURY CORNER. Highbury & Islington (Northern Line). Opened 28 June 1904 (Great Northern and City Line).
Named Highbury & Islington 20 July 1922.
On 1st September 1967, the 07.32am from Walthamstow Central ran to Highbury & Islington on the new Victoria
Line (northern section).
HIGHBURY STATION ROAD
On 1870/1 OS large scale maps. Designated in 1876 ‘a new thoroughfare’ in 1883. Entered in 1883 Islington
directories as Station Road. Highbury. For Station see HIGHBURY STATION and also under HIGHBURY CORNER. The
Laycock Junior Mixed School, started in 1916, now Laycock Primary School; since 1982 used as the Isledon Teachers’
Centre. The former Board School, opened 5 January 1865 (later an LCC school), closed in October 1967 and then
became an ILEA Learning Resources Centre.
During the Second World War the radio broadcasts of Dr. Charles Hill, the ‘Radio Doctor’ were celebrated. He was
born in York Road, January 1904, son of Charles Hill, and c. 1906 the family moved to Liverpool Buildings, Highbury
Station Road (Model Dwellings, c. 1883), now demolished after closing orders 1971-4, Dr. Hill was from 1907-10 a
scholar at Laycock Secondary School.
Dr. Hill, created Lord Hill of Luton 1963 was in 1955 a Privy Councillor. He was National Liberal and Conservative MP
for Luton 1950-63, Minister of Housing & Local Government and Welsh Affairs, 1961-2, Chairman of the BBC, 1967-
72 and of ITA, 1963-7, among other important offices which he held.
HIGHBURY TERRACE (1789)
Nos. 1-16 were built by 1794; by 1829 22 houses of different size by several builders. The Terrace is described as
‘built by several individuals’. By 1841 its population was 171 persons.
Between 1812 and 1834 it had its own Residents’ Association whose Minute Book is at the Central Library.
Charles Apthorp Wheelwright (1759-1816) lived at Highbury Terrace and Wheelwright Street is named after him. He
was the former Commanding Officer, 1803-6 of the Loyal Islington Volunteers, dissolved in October 1806.
James Bischoff (1776-1845), author of works on the wool trade died at 20 Highbury Terrace. Mount Bischoff,
Tasmania, is said to have been named after his surname.
Captain Joseph Huddart, FRS (1741 -1816) geographer and marine hydrographer and one of the elder brethren of
Trinity House in 1791, was also an expert compiler of Oceanic charts and a cable and rope manufacturer. He fixed
beacons to the Wolf Rock and on 4 March 1805 laid the first stone of the East India Docks, London, in whose
planning he had played a great part. He was an official of the East India Company until 1788 and from 1792-1816
lived at 12 Highbury Terrace. His son, Sir Joseph Huddart, died in 1841. Captain Joseph’s work in charting the St.
George’s Channel, the Indian Ocean and the waters around Sumatra and Java, etc., is immeasurable, as pioneer
work.
Sir Francis Ronalds (1788-1873) after whom Ronalds Road is named, with Wheatstone, was one of the pioneers of
the electric telegraph. His father, Francis Ronalds, took over no. 1, Highbury Terrace in 1796 and died in 1806. His
son’s experimental electric wires are said to have run from a coach-house in the garden of no. 1 to a cottage in the
immediate neighbourhood.
At 19, c. 1804-14 lived Edward Wigan, for 24 years representative of the Ward of Cheap, Court of Common Council
and a Lt. Col. of the West London Militia. He died 22 March 1814 at Highbury Terrace.
At 18 Highbury Terrace was for many years the Elizabeth Fry Home. A much- loved former Superintendent from 1913
until her death in November 1938, was Miss Annie Louise Daly who devoted herself to the girls in this hostel
particularly during the 1914-18 period.
The former HIGHBURY HOME, nos. 1-2 Highbury Terrace was founded at Stamford Hill in 1842 by Mrs. James Foster
as the ‘Home for Confirmed Invalids’. In 1853 it was at nos. 2 and 3 Albion Terrace, by 1866 was at nos. 1-2 Highbury
Terrace; also from 1886 to 1905 at 36 Aubert Park. In the 1909/10 directory at 36 Aubert Park and also at nos . 1-3
Highbury Terrace. Re-named Highbury Home in 1965.
THE PRECINCT 1965, HIGHBURY TERRACE MEWS 1969.
HIGHBURY VALE (c. 1823) Re-numbered c. 1881-2 (later part of Blackstock Road) e.g. nos. 27-32 Highbury Vale (c.
1823).
Becoming after 1882 nos. 218-224 Blackstock Road.
Highbury Vale Goods and Coal Depot, closed 1971. Highbury Vale Police Station, 209 Blackstock Road, 1910-11.
For the school and the church hall see under CONEWOOD STREET.
For Cream Hall see under LE.G.ARD ROAD and RIVERSDALE ROAD.
HIGHBURY VILLAS (1845)
By 1863 ‘Northampton House’ plus nos. 89-109 (‘Hen & Chickens’ Public House) St. Pauls Road.
HIGHCROFT ROAD
First in the 1888 directory, three houses, ‘Alverstoke’, ‘Fairholm’ and ‘Marlboro’ Villa’.
LEYDEN MANSIONS (WarltersviIle Road) 1931, BLYTHE MANSIONS 1937 re-building, 1984 (q.v.), LEES COURT 1981-2.
HIGHGATE HILL
Situated in Haringey, Camden and Islington.
See also WHITTINGTON PLACE.
The old road to High Barnet was through a lane east of ‘Pancras Church’ called Longwich Lane, then Tallingdone
Lane, Crouch End, Hornsey Great Park, Muswell Hill, Colney Hatch, Friern Barnet to Whetstone.
About 1300 a new road was erected with a toll gate. The ‘high gate’ was erected on the hill, hence the name
HIGHGATE.
In 1890 Robert Vazie.an engineer, attempted a subterranean tunnel through the body of the hill. This however,
collapsed in April 1812. Then on 31st October 1812 the foundation stone of an archway designed by John Nash (the
architect of Regent Street) was laid by E. Smith, one of the directors of the Archway Company and it opened 21st
August 1813. Road, carriage and foot tolls ceased by April 1876. The archway was of red brick with stone facings and
was demolished after 17th January 1898.
The present steel Archway is from the designs of Sir Alexander Binnie (1839-1917), from 1890-1901 the Chief
Engineer of the LCC. It opened on 28th July 1900, the builder being Charles Wall. Subsidiary names were abolished
and it was called HIGHGATE HILL 1885-6.
The HIGHGATE HILL CABLE TRAMWAY on the ‘Hallidie system’ about a mile in length with 3’6″ rails proceeded from
the Archway Tavern to the south end of Southwood Lane. It opened 28th May 1884. On 5 December 1892 a cable
accident caused 5 years suspension of the service which ran from July 1897 until 1909 and was electrified 26th
March 1910.
WHITTINGTON HOSPITAL (St. Mary’s Wing), architect: J.W.Daukes. The former Smallpox and Vaccination Hospital
moved to the Hill from King’s Cross in 1848. F Block still has the date 1848 visible on it. The Small Pox Hospital
c.1895/9 moved to Clare Hall, South Mimms. By 1896 the administration was taken over by the Islington Board of
Guardians and by 1899 it was called the Islington Infirmary, opening in July 1900. Architect: William Smith. It was
opened on 16th July 1900 by the Duke and Duchess of York later to become George V and Queen Mary. In 1930 the
LCC took over as the St. Mary Islington Hospital and then in 1948 it became the St. Mary’s Wing of the Archway
Group (now Whittington) of hospitals.
The WHITTINGTON STONE: Between Salisbury and Macdonald roads, off Highgate Hill, was on their site, in the 15th
century a ‘Lazarette or Lepers’ Field’ of the Chapel of St. Anthony. The original stone was pyramidal shaped being
surmounted by a wayside cross and on this food or alms were placed for the poor lepers. In 1795 a parish officer of
Islington broke up the stone (see under QUEEN’S HEAD STREET). In 1821 the stone put in place of the original was
superseded by the present one. It was removed and replaced in 1854 and repaired in 1935 by W. Hillier and in 1950
re-set with new railings by Morris, Singer & Co. Ltd. pp. The Wenlock Brewery. The ‘Whittington Stone’ public house
at the corner of Salisbury Walk dates from c.1860,
In 1964 Donald Bissett, actor and children’s writer, commissioned Jonathan Kenworthy and Tony Southwell of the RA
Schools of Sculpture to sculpt the figure of a cat to remind onlookers of the legend of story and pantomime. Owing
to vandalism and road alterations the stone had to be moved from its original spot and is now near the corner of
Magdala Avenue.
A mural on the wall of the ARCHWAY LIBRARY is scenes of Dick Whittington and his Cat by Magnus Irvine and was on
3rd October 1984 unveiled by Rosie Dale, Mayor of Islington.
The former WHITTINGTON ALMSHOUSES, Archway Road (1824) were designed by George Smith, Surveyor to the
Mercers’ Co., who died in 1869. They removed from College Hill there in 1824 and had fine grounds and a statue in
them of Whittington and his cat. The Almshouses were demolished in 1967; the inmates had been moved to
bungalows at Felbridge Place, Surrey in 1966.
HIGHGATE STATION. Opened 1872 by the.g.NR. Used by the Underground 19th January 1941.
ARCHWAY STATION (Northern line), formerly ‘Highgate’ Station, opened 22nd June 1907. Re-named Archway 11th
June 1939, Highgate (Archway) 19th January 1941 and ARCHWAY December, 1947.
The ARCHWAY TAVERN was rebuilt in 1886 and was from 1872 in a key position near the terminus of tram lines from
Euston, King’s Cross and Moorgate. The original Archway Tavern was there in the 1820’s.
The ARCHWAY TOWER (70,400 square feet), a 17 storey office block was built over the Tube station and plans were
announced in 1960, but it was not completed until 1974/5.
HIGHGATE HILL UNITARIAN CHURCH and the Spears Memorial Hall were on the site of Calvert Court, Despard Road
from 1890 and closed in 1961 as a place of worship. The Minister from 1885-1899 was the Rev. Robert Spears (1825-
1899) who, with Matilda, daughter of Samuel Sharpe (see HIGHBURY PLACE) founded the Channing House School,
and presented 16,000 books to the Highgate Hill church reading room. In August 1906 no less than 40,000 volumes
were presented to the North branch library, Manor Gardens.
ST. JOSEPH’S RETREAT: On the site of the ‘Black Dog’ public house, built 300 years earlier, was in 1858 founded St.
Joseph’s Retreat, its founder being Fr. Ignatius Paoli (1818-1885). In the year 1888 the cornerstone of a new St.
Joseph’s was laid as a memorial of the sacerdotal Jubilee of Pope Leo VIII. Architect: A. Vicars, with a 107 foot high
dome. It was in 1908 visited by Cardinal Vannutelli, Papal legate.
The adjoining monastery of the Anglo- Hibernian province of the Passionist Fathers was opened in 1876 by Cardinal
Manning. Architect: Tasker, be.g.an in 1875. The altar, 1904, by Sharp & Ryan of Dublin.
The ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH was consecrated 28th April 1932. The St. Joseph’s Junior School building was opened in
1867, the Upper School being built in 1907 and the parish hall after 1945. The schools were modernised 1954-8, reorganised
1961 for Junior Mixed and Infants.
Bill Sikes in Dicken’s Oliver Twist strode up Highgate Hill and Archway Road,
SUTTON PLACE, Holloway , by 1887 had become nos. 1-9 HIGHGATE HILL.
See also under JUNCTION ROAD about the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries.
BLUE STAR HOU E (The Penthouse) 1963, GORDON CLOSE, before 1939 Gordon Place (1830). MONTDORE HOUSE
1981/2.
HIGHLANDS, The, Crouch Hill
Opened 5th July 1934 by Alderman Bert Holden, JP, Mayor. Designed by E.C.P. Monson, FRIBA, FSI. Rebuilding,
1984.
On the site was a large house called ‘The Highlands’ owned in 1866 by a Mr. John Cragg and from 1870-1897 by
William Grinling, accountant to the Great Northern Railway 1868-1890 and in office before then.
HIGHVIEW, Crouch Hill (1967)
HIGHWOOD ROAD (c.1881-2)
HILLARY HOUSE, Marquess Road (1954)
Like Tensing House (see GRANGE GROVE) named after a mountaineer, Sir Edmund Hillary, born 1919 in New
Zealand. On 29th May 1953 climbed to the summit of Mount Everest and led a New Zealand party to the South Pole
in January 1958 and has made further explorations since.
HILL LODGE, 8 Dickerson Road (1976)
HILL STREET (1790)
After 1937 BONHILL STREET , Samuel Elms was the owner in 1790.
HILLDROP CRESCENT
Consisted of only 6 properties in June 1855, 57 in 1860 and 62 by 1866.
No.39 was most famous as the former residence of Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen from September 1905 until his arrest
in 1910. He murdered his wife ‘Belle Elmore’ (Mrs. Cora Crippen) who used to appear at Collin’s Music Hall, and fled
to Antwerp with Miss Ethel le Neve. They were apprehended by the use of Marconi wireless on board the SS
Montrose. Crippen was executed at Pentonville, 23rd November 1910, In 1911 probate was granted to Miss le Neve
of 313 Hornsey Road.
A Scottish comedian Sandy McNabb bought the house for £100 and opened it as a museum of Crippen relics and
mementos. Londoners found this distasteful so he converted it into a boarding-house for music-hall and theatrical
performers.
The house was demolished to make way for MARGARET BONDFIELD HOUSE, on the site since 1954. Ernest
Raymond’s novel, We, the Accused is based on the crime.
Sir A. Eugene Goossens (1893-1962), conductor and composer, resided at one time in Hilldrop Crescent.
Robert Burton Seeley (1798-1886), author and publisher, died at no.59 on 31st May 1886, well-known for his
biographies of Hannah More, John Wesley etc.. His son Leonard Benton Seeley (1831-93) was also an author.
MARGARET BONDFIELD HOUSE 1954, named after Margaret Grace Bondfield (18731953), Chairman of the TUC in
1923 and Minister of Labour 1929-31, the first woman to hold Cabinet rank.
HAYWOOD LODGE 1963.
HILLDROP LANE (1939)
See also BELMORE LANE.
MOELWYN HUGHES COURT 1958. Named after R. Moelwyn Hughes, QC (1897-1955), MP for North Islington 1950-1.
HILLDROP ROAD (1859-60) HOLLOWAY SCHOOL dates from 1907 as Camden Secondary School for Boys, its first
headmaster being Augustus Kahn and from 1912-46 F.R.Hurlstone-Jones. It was renamed Holloway School by 1927.
The school was considerably extended in Carleton Road, 1951 -57 and is now an ILEA County school for boys with
over 940 pupils on its roll.
Robert M.Walmsley lived at no.23, see WALMSLEY.
BETC.HWORTH HOUSE 1954.COLLEY HOUSE 1951, DUGDALE HOUSE 1951, HOLMBURY HOUSE 1952, HORSENDEN
HOUSE 1951, HOWELL HOUSE 1953, IVINGHOE HOUSE 1948, LEITH HOUSE 1952, RUSHMOOR HOUSE 1953,
WILLBURY HOUSE 1955.
HILLFIELD HOUSE, Highbury New Park (1960)
HILLMARTON ROAD (1861) Owned in 1870 by H.Bunkell, property developer, of Penn Road. Named after
Hillmarton, Wilts.
No.61 is a new development on part of the site of St. Mary’s Liberal Catholic Church.
ST.LUKE’S CHURCH (architect: Chas. Lee). Built 1857. Consecrated 1860, designed to accommodate 1,400 people!
Built on ‘High Tree Fields’ donated as a site by Thos. Poynder.
The former vicar. Prebendary W.A.F.Lee died in 1969 he was Rural Dean of Islington from 1961.
HILLMARTON VILLAS (1854) ST.MARY’S LIBERAL CATHOLIC CHURCH (pro-Cathedral Church of St. Mary), 471a
Caledonian Road. Sir Francis Lycett secured the site.
Was originally opened 25th May 1866 as Caledonian Road Wesleyan Methodist Chapel to seat 1000, but closed as
such in 1916. From 1916-26 J.Hibbard & Sons Ltd used the building as a furniture repository for removals and
constructed an extra floor on gallery level, but left the steeple standing. The semi-circular apse was designed by Sir
E.L. Lutyens (1869-1944) whose wife, Lady Emily, had been a worshipper there. The last services were held in the
winter of 1976.
Samuel John Hodson, RWS (1836-1908), architect, artist, lithographer and illustrator, exhibitor from 1858-1906,
worked for The Graphic and was a member of the RBA. Lived in the 1890s at no.7 Hillmarton Road.
FIELD COURT 1961, JACOBIN LODGE 1970.
HILLRISE MANSIONS. Warltersville Road (1938)
HILLRISE ROAD
First entry, as such, in the register of electors, 1936. Before then, Upper Hornsey Rise (1853-1936).
HILLSIDE
See St. John’s Way.
HILLSIDE PARK
Opened 24th June 1978, on land, part of the Elthorne Estate, St. John’s Way. See ST. JOHN’S WAY.
HILTON HOUSE, Parkhurst Road
City Corporation Housing, Holloway estate.
First in the 1964 register of electors under Chambers Road.
HILTON ROAD (1878)
Ceased by 1964.
HIND HOUSE, Hornsey Road (1970)
HINDLEY HOUSE, Hornsey Road (1971)
Named after William Talbot Hindley, MA, Vicar of St.Barnabas, Harvist Road, 18871892) as also is Talbot House. He
was vicar of St. John’s, Upper Holloway 1918-23).
HOCKLEY-IN-THE-HOLE
See RAY STREET.
HOLBROOK CLOSE (1983/4)
HOLBROOKE COURT, Parkhurst Road (1974)
Named after Josef Holbrooke 11878-1958), composer. As a boy lived at 30 Hatley Road. A former choirboy at St.
Anne’s, Pooles Park. His father was a pianist at Collins’ Music Hall and at the old Bedford Music Hall. Camden Town
and Josef, aged 14, was a pianist at the Finsbury Park Empire and when aged 15 gave piano lessons from Station
Road, Highbury. From 1922-6 he lived at Vale House, Tufnell Park Road (between nos.21 and 23).
HOLFORD COTTAGES
See HOLFORD PLACE.
HOLFORD HOUSE. Cruikshank Street (1954)
HOLFORD PLACE, Holford Square (1848-9)
Entered as Holford Cottages in 1848. Six properties.
HOLFORD SQUARE (1844/5)
The public bowling green was formally opened 12th July 1934 by Cllr. George Tripp, JP, Mayor of Finsbury.
In 1847 Herbert Spencer (1820-1903), philosopher and writer, lived in Holford Square. The Square was heavily
bombed during the Second World War. The former bowling green site was used as a barrage balloon site and was
destroyed by a land mine.
V.I.Lenin (1870-1924), leader of the Russian Communist regime lived at no.30 from 1902-3. The house was
demolished after a bombing raid. On 22nd of April 1942, M. Maisky, then Soviet ambassador in London, unveiled a
Lenin memorial bust, the work of Berthold Lubetkin as the centrepiece of a Lenin memorial. The Memorial was
removed in 1951 to make way for Bevin Court. A copy of the bust is at Islington Town Hall and an LCC plaque
formerly on the house, no.30, was presented to the Mayor of Moscow by the Leader of the GLC.
The HOLFORD SQUARE ESTATE (Skinner. Bailey & Lubetkin. architects) was opened 24th of April 1954 by Dame
Florence Bevin DBE, recorded by a plaque and a bust of Ernest Bevin.
HOLFORD STREET (1845)
Peter Holford was in 1770 a Governor of the New River Co. and laid the first stone of their then new offices
(architect: Robert Mylne). on the site of Dorset Garden. Charles Holford was a Governor, 1815-27.
HOLLAND WALK (1981-2)
HOLLINS HOUSE, Tufnell Park Road (1948)
Named after William Tyndall Hollins MA, an incumbent of St. George’s, Tufnell Park.
HOLLINGSWORTH STREET (c.1855)
Also Hollingsworth Street North. Disappeared by 1973.
Said to be named after a Mr. Hollingsworth. Here Mrs. Mary Tealby founded a Home for Lost and Starving Dogs on 2
October 1860. It was located in stables behind 15 and 16 Hollingsworth Street (now occupied by Freightliners Farm
and Paradise Park)
Mrs. Tealby died in 1865, the home was then carried on by the Revd Ed. Bates and a Committee. The Superintendent
from 1863-71 was James Pavitt. 851 dogs were taken in in 1869. In June 1971 the home moved to Battersea,
becoming the famous Battersea Dogs Home. An Islington People’s Plaque to Mary Tealby was unveiled at
Freightliners Farm, Sheringham Road in October 2015.
George Cole was a councillor for Lower Holloway ward. 1903-4. He lived at no.28 from 1897-1912 and was District
Secretary of the National Association of Operative Plasterers.
HOLLOWAY
So called from its situation in the hollow or valley at the foot of Highgate Hill. From the Anglo-Saxon, holl-weg = the
way in the hollow. This road name later became a district name. The hamlets of Upper and Lower Holloway were so
designated in the 18th century and a Deed refers to Upper Holloway as early as 1697.
I n 1364 William Phelippe wrote of the muddy state of the ‘Hollow Way’. The Gentleman’s Magazine referred to a
tradition that a ‘St. Michael’s hermit’ raised the road, making a causeway, from Highgate, supplying water, as he
raised the road.’
‘The wide part of the highway where the Back Road (now Liverpool Road and Holloway Road join) terminates, has
been timeout of mind called RING CROSS [hence the Ring Cross Estate), probably from a cross standing here
antecedent to the Reformation.’ (Nelson, 1811 ed., p.84) Certainly in this area a gibbet is alleged to have been and
malefactors were hung in chains such as William Johnson, for shooting the turnkey of Newgate Gaol in open court in
1 712 at the Old Bailey, whilst the Judge was in session and John Price (Jack Ketch) who had himself been public
executioner, in 1718, for murdering Elizabeth White, a poor woman who sold gingerbread in Moorfields. A new
gallows was put up in 1 759.
HOLLOWAY appears prior to 1811 in rate books and from 1811-41, Holloway West 1841-54 and Holloway East 1842-
55.
HOLLOWAY PLACE
In the rate book for 1811.
The name was abolished in February 1870. Situated ‘between Loraine Place and Holloway Railway Station’.
ISLINGTON SCOUT CENTRE, 319-321 Holloway Road is on the site of what was originally Holloway Independent
Chapel, built 1804, destroyed by arson 1807, rebuilt 1808 and enlarged in 1821. In 1846 the congregation moved to
Holloway Congregational Church (junction of Camden and Caledonian Roads), which building was destroyed by a
land mine 26th September 1940, but a new church opened on the site in September 1960.
The Independents’ Chapel then was taken over as the Caledonian Church (Church of Scotland) in 1847, largely to
serve the orphans and other children attending the Royal Caledonian Asylum (see CALEDONIAN ROAD). The last
service was held there on the 7th May 1950.
In Holloway Place was the print-making and print-selling business of James Pollard (1792-1867) and of his father
Robert Pollard (1755-1838) from 1810 until 1831.
Some of the best-known of English sporting pictures and coaching scenes were produced by ‘the Pollards’. Robert
Pollard was from 1782-1810 at 1 5 Braynes Row, Spa Fields, now Exmouth Street, where his son was born.
See also PINE HOUSE. HOLLOWAY POLICE STATION see under HORNSEY ROAD.
HOLLOWAY ROAD
Two references from Vestry Minutes of 1863 and 1868 confirm that Holloway Road was to be so called. Before then
it was the main road serving Upper and Lower Holloway and consisting of a number of subsidiary places and
terraces. These were absorbed and the whole renumbered, again in 1884/6, Some examples will suffice to show the
number and variety of these:
The present 72 Holloway Road was before 1884 no.68, and this was originally in 1814 no.2 Aston Place, built by John
Atkinson, mason and sculptor.
No.4 was 6 Porter’s Row, 42-50 Porters Place c.1812, 11-49 Steyman’s Row (18051, no.32 was 8 Highbury Cottages
(1846), 525531 before 1886 5-8 Oxford Terrace, 254 and 256 before 1871 Phoebe Place (1830), 286-290 2-4 Dorset
Place (1852), 292-4, in the time before 1871 Victoria Cottages (1853) and 292-306 Harriett Place (1852).
373-393 before 1871 Warlters Buildings (1830), 443 was 8 Tufnell Park Terrace (1843), 498-506 before 1882 nos. 1 -5
Telegraph Office and Union Cottage, Hercules Terrace (c.1852). 648, 650 and 652 Alfred Villas, c.1870, but before
1860 Union Place and Hercules Brewery. 632,634 Alfred Terrace, 1841 688-706, part of Marlborough Terrace 1870.
430-456 before 1871 Holloway Terrace, there c,1808/9. Renumbered 1884/5 and subsidiary names incorporated.
557-561 and North Islington Dispensary, 1860-1886 Shakespeare Terrace. 543-555 before 1886 and from 1827
Prospect Terrace. 258-278 before 1871 Railway Place (1852) 131-145 before 1866Skinners Place(c.1804).
The ‘Mother Red Cap’, 655 Holloway Road, was there in the 17th century and was mentioned in a poem by one
‘Drunken Barnaby, of that time. It was a resort of prostitutes c.1630 and in 1780 was the ‘halfway house between
London and Highgate’. It was rebuilt about 1829. Samuel Pepys mentioned it as the sign of the woman with cakes in
one hand and a pot of ale in the other. See also RED CAP LANE.
The ‘Half Moon’ at 471 Holloway Road perpetuates the memory of an inn that in the 18th century was famous for its
cheesecakes which used to be sold around the streets on horseback.
The ‘Crown’ at 622 Holloway Road was there in the 17th century and is featured in a Pollard print showing stagecoaches
‘passing the Crown at Upper Holloway’.
The NORTHERN POLYTECHNIC, Holloway Road, designed by Charles Bell was in 1896 built on the site of Osnaburgh
Cottages. Large additions were made, designed by A.W.Cooksey, in 1902.
The Great Hall (now the Theatre) was on 15th July 1897 opened by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the Corporation of
the City of London.
In 1948 the National College of Rubber Technology was founded and in 1952 moved in to its own buildings in
Benwell Road, with annexes in Prince of Wales Road and in Ladbroke House, Highbury Grove and 2-16 Eden Grove.
Since 1976, Polytechnic of North London.
In the autumn of 1966 the Tower Block, with a concrete mural by William Mitchell, was built in the Holloway Road.
There is a sports ground, entrance in Dalmeny Avenue, Tufnell Park. This was there as early as 1892 as ‘Tufnell Park
Recreation Ground’, then owned by a syndicate.
On the site of the Marlborough Building of the Polytechnic of North London was the former MARLBOROUGH
THEATRE, designed by Frank Matcham to hold 2,612 people and which opened in 1903. The Carl Rosa Opera Co.,
Fred Terry, Charles Wyndham, Julia Nielson, Sir John Martin- Harvey, Oscar Asche, Florence Smithson, are only a few
of the names of its former performers. By 1916 Variety took its place and it was a cinema from 1919 until the 31st
August 1957. Demolished in 1962. The AA (Automobile Association) took over a new building on the site and then
from 1973 it has been the ‘Marlborough Building’ housing certain of the departments of the Polytechnic of North
London,
Nearby used to be the PARKHURST GRAND HALL AND THEATRE with a capacity for 400 (1890) 401 Holloway Road,
rebuilt in 1898 which was a cinema c.1909. Free fights broke out over whist drive prizes which caused its closure in
the period before 1930. See also PARKHURST ROAD.
At the corner which is now the North Star House, 556/564 Holloway Road, the Careers and Divisional Offices of ILEA
stood from 1899 until the late 1950s the HOLLOWAY EMPIRE (capacity 1,210) designed by W.G.R.Sprague. This was
when Oswald Stoll (later Sir Oswald) was the Managing Director to its owners The London District Empire Palaces.
Stars who had appeared there included Harry Tate, Mark Sheridan, Paul Cinquevalli, the Griffiths Brothers, George
Langford, Eugene Stratton and Harry Bedford. By 1912 it was a theatre and by 1924 a cinema. It closed in 1938 and
remained derelict for years until 1853. But a firm of chair manufacturers took over in a new building and it is now I
LEA and housing association offices.
The CORONET CINEMA, 338 Holloway Road, opened in February 1940 and was called the SAVOY in 1947, was
renamed the ABC in 1962 and the Coronet in 1983. It closed in July 1983 to open in 1984 as a snooker club.
The Gresham Ballroom was before February 1957 a cinema, the EMPIRE, but opened 25th November 1910 as the
Electric Pavilion Cinema, Upper Holloway.
The Imperial Picture Theatre was built at no.2 Holloway Road 1913 and renamed the Highbury Imperial Picture
Theatre by 1924 and Highbury Picture Theatre by 1936. Closed in 1959, petrol station on the site.
The Odeon opened as the GAUMONT, Holloway 5th September 1938, then re-opened with a Gala re-opening on a
July day, 1958.
The ROYAL NORTHERN HOSPITAL was from 1864 to 1888 the Great Northern Central Hospital, Caledonian Road, on a
site later occupied by Caledonian Road Baths. The Hospital was originally founded in 1856 at York Road by Sherard
Freeman Statham. It was in Pembroke Villa, formerly occupied by George Price, a builder in 1844 and took over also
Twyford Villa etc..
A physician from 1876 to 1885 was Robert Bridges, OM, BM, FRCP, Poet Laureate from 1913-1930.
Then a new building was designed for Holloway Road by Keith D.Young, ARIBA, and Henry Hall, ARIBA. It was opened
17th July 1888 by Edward, Prince of Wales (later to become Edward VII) with the Princess (afterwards Queen
Alexandra) and their daughters, Louise, Victoria and Maud in attendance.
In 1921 the Hospital was incorporated by Royal Charter and from June 1924 was known as the ROYAL NORTHERN
HOSPITAL. In 1923 HRH Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) opened the new Casualty Department which was
also the Borough War Memorial’as it contained an archway with the names of 1,337 Islingtonians who lost their lives
in the First World War. There was also a Nurses’ Home (1922), designed by H.Percy Adams. Since then much
extension and rebuilding has taken place. See also MANOR GARDENS.
The ‘Flounder & Firkin’ public house, 54 Holloway Road, as it has been called since 1985, is one of a chain of houses
owned by David Bruce. Before then it was the BREWERY TAP, originally built in 1815 by William Willoughby, who
kept the Highbury Barn Tavern. The Central Library has original watercolour plans by John Grayson dated c. 1814/15.
These show plans of this HIGHBURY BREWERY and a section of the brew-house and its utensils. About 1840 Messrs.
Ufford & Oldershaw kept this business and its grounds and in the latter was a 104ft. well shaft yielding nearly 1,000
gallons of water an hour. In 1887 another well and boring was made. The water level had then fallen and was
standing at 150ft. down. The brewery closed in 1914 and the ‘Brewery Tap’ took over (W.A.AIdhouse, licensee) and
in the adjoining grounds, Messrs.Hopkins, . mechanical engineers and then the Goodyear Tyre Co, took over. Then in
1971 Messrs. W.H.Hayden & Co, commercial stationers since 1829 built ‘Digby House’ on the site of the old Highbury
Brewery and Brew-House.
The CENTRAL LIBRARY (architect: Henry T.Hare, FRIBA and the builder C.P.Roberts of St. Pauls Road, was opened on
25th October 1907 by Sir Arthur W.Rucker, FRS, then Principal of the University of London. The architect was also
that of the town halls at Oxford and Henley on Thames. The whole ceremony was presided over by Alderman Sir
George S.Elliott, JP (who up to his death in 1925 had been Mayor of Islington no less than 13 times). The Band of the
Coldstream Guards played amidst palms, flowers and elaborate refreshments.
From December 1973 until June 1976 the extension to the 1906/7 building was made. Design architect: LP Wong.
Contractors: Messrs. Scott, Hale. The original facade in Holloway Road, formerly 68 Holloway Road, has been
retained, with its statues of Bacon and Spenser and Edwardian ‘Art Deco’ motifs, but the main readers’ and goods’
entrances are in Fieldway Crescent.
Opposite is the church of ST.MARY MAGDALENE, Holloway Road. Architect: William Wickings, originally a Chapel of
Ease, 1814, seating 1,324 people. In 1894 it became a separate parish.
The church has a particularly fine organ by George Pike England, reconstructed by Henry Willis in 1867 and in 1959
cleaned and repaired.
The church was restored in 1910 and in 1983 its interior greatly changed.
ST.MARY MAGDALENE’S CHURCH SCHOOLS, Liverpool Road, dated from 1815, were re-modelled in 1908, but almost
destroyed in October 1940. The Rt.Hon, Florence Horsbrugh, CBE, MP, laid the foundation stone of the new school
building in 1953 and the official re-opening by the Rev. Joost de Blank, MA, Hon.CF (later Archbishop of Cape Town)
was in December 1954.
From 1948-55 the incumbent was the Rev.A,W.Goodwin Hudson, who later became the Dean of Sydney, Australia.
During his period of office, the church of St. James, Chillingworth Road was merged into the parish and its hall
became used as a community and youth centre.
In 1890 the wall enclosing the burial ground was replaced by iron railings and in 1894 the churchyard was taken over
as an open space and is now public gardens.
A former Coroner’s Court and Public Mortuary opened in a building in the Church grounds 27th March 1874 but was
disused as a mortuary by 1936 and since 1955 has been used by the Council’s Works Dept.
The GNR was extended to Kings Cross. The Holloway GNR station closed 30th September 1915.
HOLLOWAY ROAD STATION (Piccadilly Line! opened the 15th December 1906 and was remarkable for its ‘moving
spiral staircase’; on its site used to be the Church Army Marriott Homes.
There was a Coal Yard, coal depot and ticket station of the GNR, for which expenditure at Holloway was sanctioned
in 1854,
The HOLLOWAY STATION HOTEL (now Holloway Tavern) was there as early as 1863, The facade of the former Coal
Yard receiving office was within recent years used by a firm selling brie a brae and second hand goods.
Messrs. BEALE’S RESTAURANT in the neo-Gothic style (architect: F.Wallen) with its large banqueting rooms and
stained glass art deco windows was well-known and had been on the site of Sainsbury’s supermarket at the corner of
Holloway and Tollington Roads, as a local landmark until its demolition in 1970.
Beale’s Bakery opened in South Place, Tibberton Square in 1829 and was there until 1855.
Alderman William Beale (1838-1904) was a Vestryman in 1897, an Alderman in 1900. In 1866 the firm’s
headquarters moved in to Holloway Road on the site and the new premises were built in 1889, Next door were the
premises of Messrs. George Jones & Sons, jewellers at 368 Holloway Road, which had a flag pole about four foot high
and a golden ball about two feet in diameter which used to act as a time-keeping device and as an advertisement.
In 1889 Alderman Beale installed a steam- driven plant which supplied electricity to this area of Holloway before the
Vestry took over.
Another Holloway landmark were the premises of D.Harper and Co, founded 1875, stationers and diary makers,
whose ‘Harpers of Holloway’ building near Railway Crosses was a great feature on postcards of the pre-1914 and
1920-30 era. Alderman Sydney C.Harper was Mayor of Islington 1922-5 and 1928-9, as well as a leading member and
one time President of Islington Chamber of Commerce. Also connected with the firm was the Harper Electric Piano
Co. Ltd, formerly of Holloway Road and New Oxford Street, an example of whose work was placed in the Musical
Museum which acquired it at Brentford and visited by Cllr. Rosie Dale, Mayor, in 1985, The son of the firm’s director,
Mr.S,Harper, was also present.
The HOLLOWAY HALL (architect: George Truefitt) opened in October 1872, 445 Holloway Road and is now ‘Holloway
House’, used by furniture manufacturers.
The HOLLOWAY ARCADE was erected c. 1930.
Messrs. JONES BROS, linen drapers, started in 1870 at nos.2 and 3 Peartree Terrace, Holloway Road and by 1905
were described as Jones Bros, Universal Providers, 338-366 Holloway Road, 1-27 Tollington Road and 4 Loraine Road
and Lister Mews.
Messrs. Selfridge acquired the by now large department store in 1926 and in 1940 the John Lewis Partnership. From
1893-1905 the buyer and manager of various departments was Henry Buckland, created Sir Henry Buckland in 1931.
He died in December 1957. From 1914-52 he took on the general management of the Crystal Palace.
Charles Sims, RA (1873-1928) in 1888 entered the counting house of Jones Bros, the eldest son of Stephen Sims,
costume manufacturer of 133 Balls Pond Road, The Central Library local collection has his ‘Portrait of Alfred Frewin’
1900.
UPPER HOLLOWAY BAPTIST CHURCH dates from 1868, the first Minister being the Rev. Samuel Harris Booth, then
from 18731911 the Rev. J. R. Wood who became not only President of the Baptist Union, but Moderator of the Free
Church Federal Council. From 1911-32 the Rev. Sydney G. Morris took over and he became Baptist Union President.
The church in 1928 seated 1,300. Up to 1951 it had its own Dorcas Fellowship which ministered to the sick poor of
the district. About 1977 the ceiling collapsed and the hall at the rear was used for services. See also TOLLINGTON
WAY. For St. John’s Church, see under PEMBERTON GARDENS.
ST.JOHN’S GYMNASIUM & INSTITUTE, 623-629 Holloway Road later became used by toy manufacturers and is now
used for other commercial purposes.
At that part of Holloway Road near Mercer’s Road was an attractive pedimented building with topiary called WACE
COTTAGE and then after 1863 a Friends’ Meeting House; then up to a few years ago Messrs. Finlay & Co. had
premises on the site.
James Selby Ltd, milliners and general drapers were founded in 1896 as James Selby, linen draper, 394 Holloway
Road. Mr. Selby died, aged 88, in 1951. In 1932 it had become a private company.
‘The Castle’ public house was there from 1874 as a public house and from 1843 until about 1872/3 as The Castle,
wine merchants.
The ‘Nags Head’ public house is shown on a map and a directory for 1853 and was for many years run by the
Wheeler family. The ‘Prince of Wales’, ‘Lord Nelson’ and ‘Victoria’ public houses are all Victorian.
Sir Richard Phillips (1767-1840) lived with his family at ‘The Pavilion’, 4 Holloway Road, opposite Loraine Place. In
1817 the preface to his ‘A morning walk from London to Kew’, originally appearing 1813-16 in the Morning Chronicle,
is dated from that address.
HOLLOWAY TERRACE
Was there 1808/9.
By 1871 nos.430-456 (Nag’s Head), Holloway Road.
ALBEMARLE MANSIONS c.1898, BATHURST MANSIONS c.1899, BUCKMASTER HOUSE 1936, CAIRNS HOUSE 1937
(rebuilding), CHELMSFORD HOUSE 1937, CRANWORTH HOUSE 1937 (rehabilitated 1976), HALSBURY HOUSE 1936,
LOREBURN HOUSE 1936, MANOR MANSIONS 1907, TUFNELL PAR K MANSIONS 1935/6,VICTORIA MANSIONS 1897,
WAVERLEY COURT 1977.
Holly Park, N4

LYNGHAM COURT 1963.
HOLMBURY HOUSE. Hilldrop Road (1952)
‘Holmbury’ is a seat, one mile south west of Holmbury St. Mary, Surrey.
HOLMCOTE GARDENS (1926)
Holmcote is four miles west of Minehead, Somerset.
The gardens are on the site of the grounds of Pyrland House, Highbury New Park. See under HIGHBURY NEW PARK.
HOMESTEAD, Sussex Way (1971)
HONDURAS STREET (1832)
Renumbered 1888, After Honduras, a source of mahogany. Associated, like Baltic Street, Timber Street etc., with the
timber trade.
HONEYCOAT YARD, Aylesbury Street
Name abolished 1760.
HONEYFIELD, Pooles Park (Durham Road) (1969)
HOOD COURT, Mayton Street (1964)
HOOPER STREET, Hornsey Road (1815-54)
HOPE COTTAGES (1845)
See HOPE PLACE.
HOPE PLACE (1845)
Rename in 1899 of former Hope Cottages, 1845,
HOPE STREET, Eden Grove, Holloway (1820)
By 1938 GEARY STREET. See also EDEN GROVE.
HOPE TERRACE, Coleman Street, New North Road (1851)
Coleman Street since 1938 has been Coleman Fields.
HOPEDENE, Aubert Park (1975)
HOPKINS BUILDINGS. Upper Street
On Dent’s map of 1806.
After 1857, approximately 221-226 Upper Street.
HOPPING LANE
Before 1840 the name of St. Paul’s Road.
Hopping Lane extended ‘from the entrance to Highbury Place to the Balls Pond turnpike’. Originally for its entire length there was no footway on either side. Named after a freehold plot belonging to the Marquess of Northampton in the 19th century called as early as 1611 the ‘Hoppinge’ or Hop-Ground. It was later Barr’s & Brook’s Nurseries.
HOPPING LANE (1960)
“A new service road being constructed on the west side of St. Mary’s Grove.”
HORNSEY
The name Hornsey was a 16th century corruption of Haringie (early 13th century).
HORNSEY GROVE
In the rate books 1826-1835.
HORNSEY LANE
Odd nos. are in Haringey.
Was there probably as early as 1300; in the rate books as early as 1729, the date of the earliest one in the rate book
collection at the Central Library.
The numbering changed in 1916. No.20, formerly no.6 Hornsey Lane, contains some 18th century structural work.
No.12 has, since about 1924, been a Convent, see under BETHANIE.
ST. ALOYSIUS’S COLLEGE. Founded in 1879 by the Brothers of Mercy. A voluntary aided grammar school, 1950.
Largely rebuilt 1969-71 as a comprehensive for over 1000 Senior boys.
Alderman Sir William John Crump (1850-1923), DL, JP, Islington’s first Mayor, 1900-1 and a solicitor, lived in
‘Treverbyn’, later Thirsk Lodge, Hornsey Lane, for some years.
HORNSEY LANE ESTATE
On 11th March 1939, opened by Mr.A.E. Knox ‘one of the operatives engaged on the erection of the dwellings’ in
the presence of Cllr. George Bennett, JP, Chairman of the Housing Committee and the Mayor, Alderman
D.McArthurJackson.JP. ACWA.
Architect: E.C.P. Monson, FRIBA, FSI. DE LA SALLE HOUSE 1978, FORTIER COURT 1971, LYGOE HOUSE 1974 (Lygoe
House is named after the late Alderman Herbert James Lowton Lygoe, OBE, JP, MSM, Mayor 1940-1 and 1949-50,
who died, aged 72 in 1968), NETHERLEIGH CLOSE 1971. See also HAZELLVILLE ROAD.
HORNSEY RISE (1848)
In 1886/7 it was decided by the Vestry of St. Mary Islington to incorporate with and rename Balmaine Terrace, Grove
Villas, Terrace, Victoria Terrace, Rose Cottages, Shaftesbury Villas and Hornsey Rise HORNSEY RISE throughout.
See also Ashley Road for ST. MARY’S Church, Hornsey Rise,
UPPER HORNSEY RISE dating from 1853 became by 1936 HILLRISE ROAD. HORNSEY RISE, nos.22-28 were before
1886/7 nos. 1-4 Shaftesbury Villas, 1864/5.
The HORNSEY RISE COMPLEX (Islington Health Authority, I LEA and Islington Council) was opened in November 1984
by the actress, Nicola McAuliffe and in the presence of Mrs. Margaret Hodge, Leader of the Council. It includes a
Child Guidance centre, a Day Centre, Health Centre, etc..
The PHILIP NOEL-BAKER PEACE GARDEN, Elthorne Park, Hornsey Rise, was opened 24th July 1984 by Lord Brockway
(Fenner Brockway) in memory of the work for world peace of Philip Noel-Baker (18891982). It is set in the 6Va acre
Elthorne Park.
The Park includes a scented garden for the disabled, a white garden, a marsh garden, a reflecting pool, bubble
fountains, a cascade and weir. On the 15th September 1985, Monsignor Bruce Kent unveiled ‘Upon Reflection’ the
‘Islington Peace Sculpture’ by Kevin Atherton.
HORNSEY RISE GARDENS
Before 1887/9 Crouch End Crescent.
In 1886 only nos.1, 2,5 and 7-17.
HORNSEY ROAD
‘Anciently formed part of the old road to Whetstone by way of Crouch End.’ Only about three houses c. 1811-13, but,
c. 1801-2 was Elizabeth Duke’s waterproof manufactory; the factory water-proofed clothing for the army and also
treated canvas articles, including ships’ sails; it later became a dye-house until the building was demolished c.1833.
Hornsey Road does not appear as such in rate books until c.1843. In 1884/5 all subsidiary names were abolished and
the whole re-named HORNSEY ROAD. In 1820 it had been still a haunt of footpads! Two pages of its former
subsidiary names are listed in the 1885 Annual Report of the Vestry.
See also under TOLLINGTON ROAD about the SOBELL SPORTS CENTRE.
Nos.47-171 were from c.1856-1874 NEVILLE TERRACE. No.1 was about 1853 ‘Tyrolese Cottage’.
471 Hornsey Road was 21 Station Parade (c. 1890-1), 398-406 before 1887 Roads Terrace (c. 1864/5), 462-498
before 1886 Sylvanus Row 11831).
HORNSEY ROAD SOUTH and HORNSEY ROAD NORTH 1845, HORNSEY ROAD EAST 1834, HORNSEY ROAD WEST 1835.
HORNSEY ROAD STATION opened 21st July 1868.
The ‘Hanley Arms’ was there as early as 1832.
The ‘Tollington Arms’ under the landlord-ship of Charlie Webster, ex-welterweight boxing champion, has since 1971
been the headquarters of the London Ex-Boxers’ Association.
In 1853 an INFANT POOR ESTABLISHMENT was built on Porter’s Acre, Hornsey Road, eventually becoming the
Workhouse Schools (St. Mary Islington Workhouse Schools) which in the 1880s had over 360 children as pupils.
John Timbs, (1801-75), antiquary and writer, author of the Curiosities of London addressed the 1867 second edition
of his work of the name from Hornsey Road.
See EBURNE ROAD.
HORNSEY ROAD BATHS. Architects: A.H. Tiltman. Opened 26th July 1892 by the Lady Mayoress of London. The Baths
Establishment opened in 1895. It was bombed 19-20th March 1941, and re-opened 7th February 1964 by William
Ambrose Wright (Billy Wright), CBE, ex -Manager of the Arsenal Football Club, 1962-6 and 90 times Captain of
England. Architect. Kenneth M.B.Cross, MA, DCL, Past President of the RIBA.
HORNSEY ROAD STATION (Midland Railway) opened 1872, closed 1943.
HOLLOWAY POLICE STATION, Hornsey Road, was originally built in 1874 and opened in January 1875. Section house
accommodation was added in 1911. It was bombed 19-20th March 1941 (then 256 Hornsey Road) and was later
demolished, the site becoming part of the Montem School play-ground. The 1911 section house, after the 1941
bombing, was re-adapted as a Station. The present police station at 184 Hornsey Road was first occupied as a police
station in July 1965.
The MONTEM SCHOOL was originally the Montem Street School. Boys School opened 21st June 1886. Girls School
opened 7th May 1901. I n 1968 John Wragg and Jan Reynolds of St. Martin’s School of Art designed and executed a
60 ft. mural in the playground. See also MONTEM STREET.
EMMANUEL CHURCH by F.R. Farrow and E.S. Harris, 1884. United with St.Barnabas 1945.
For the Forster School see under BENWELL ROAD. Holloway Ragged School had been on the site of this school from
1854-1888/9.
BRANSTON HOUSE 1927 modernised 1971, CHRISTIE COURT 1969, CITIZEN HOUSE 1970 (qv), EAGLE HOUSE 1975,
EVERETT HOUSE 1971, HIND HOUSE
1970, HINDLEY HOUSE 1970,
LILLINGSTON HOUSE 1970, LUCENA
HOUSE 1954, ROLLIT HOUSE 1927, modernised 1971, Named after Sir Albert Kaye Rollit (1842-1922), MP for
Islington South, 1886-1906.
SIMMONS HOUSE extension 1981/2. SWAINSON HOUSE 1971. Named after a former Alderman, Reginald Swainson
who died aged 86 in May 1953. He left Islington for Hornsey in 1908. He had a long association with St. John’s Upper
Holloway and his brother Frank was until 1916, the Rev. Frank Swainson, Vicar of St. Barnabas’s Church. Reginald is
alleged to have heckled David Lloyd George when he visited Islington Town Hal I and the scene caused such an
uproar that the later Prime Minister left the building disguised as a policeman!
TALBOT HOUSE 1970, TENBY HOUSE1971.
HORNSEY ROW
Built 1769 ‘at its south end was once a public house called The Castle where a mineral water was sold procured from
a spring in the garden’ by Thomas Bird, Bird’s Buildings.
By 1875/6 nos.260-272 UPPER STREET.
In Hornsey Row (called that until 1875) lived John Quick (1748-1831), the original Tony Lumpkin in She Stoops to
Conquer and George Ill’s favourite comedian whose portrait was done by Zoffany (see ZOFFANY STREET) and whose
appearances at Covent Garden were famous. He afterwards lived in Wells Row and was President of the ‘respectable
company’ which met at the King’s Head Tavern, Upper Street.
‘Little Quick’ was buried in a vault at St. Mary Magdalene’s, Holloway Road.
At the time of the publication of the 2nd edition (1823) of his history of Islington, John Nelson lived at no.6 Hornsey
Row and later moved to Cumberland Row, Camden Street (Camden Passage) at the house of a Miss Janet Welchon
or Welchern. He died 20th of April 1828, aged 52. A third edition of his work appeared in 1829.
HORNSEY STREET (c.1861-2)
Contains Stapleton House, Polytechnic of North London.
HORSELL ROAD (1887-8)
In 1888 were only nos.26, 30, 32, 34 and 36.
The name is most probably derived from Anglo Saxon hors-weg. (horse way) or bridle path.
Horsell is in the district of Woking, Surrey and its name is derived from the Anglo Saxon meaning ‘a muddy shelf or
slope’!
HORSENDEN HOUSE, Hilldrop Road (1951)
There is a Horsenden House seven miles north west of High Wycombe, Bucks and also a Horsenden Hill, near
Perivale Middlesex (Ealing) and a Horsenden Lane.
HORSFALL’S BASIN, Regents Canal
Built on the Regent’s Canal, 1825. Named after a William Horsfall who owned part of Henry Penton’s Estate in 1806.
HORSFIELD HOUSE, Northampton Street (1957)
HORTON VILLAS (c.1850/1)
After 1866, nos.275-277 Camden Road.
HOWARD MEWS, Hamilton Park (1981/2)
HOWELL HOUSE, Hilldrop Road (1953)
HUDDLESTON ROAD (c.1873/4)
Nos.2 to 5 only in the 1874 directory; in 1877 nos. 1-11 and Arundel Cottage. Nos. 13-21 are c.1900, not earlier.
Submitted by a contributor (2017): Cattle once used to be driven down the road, arriving by trains stopping at the
(now gone) Junction Road railway station on their way to the Metropolitan Cattkle Market (later Caledonian Market)
in Market Road, Islington. Huddleston Road was also bombed during the Second World War, possibly due to its
proximity to railway lines. Two odd-numbered houses along the stretch between Tufnell Park Road and Station
Road were damaged and rebuilt in a style completely different to the rest of the terrace of housing.
HUGIN HOUSE
The rename of Bolton House, 18-30 Clerkenwell Road, with effect from 1st October 1975.
HUGO ROAD
First in the directory for 1887,
HULL STREET, Lever Street (1809)
There until 1974.
HULLBRIDGE MEWS
Sherbourne Estate 1980, James Court 1981.
HULL’S PLACE, Lever Street
There in 1809. In 1926 a tobacco manufactory on the site.
HUME COURT, Hawes Street (1961)
See under HAWES STREET.
HUMEWOOD, Highbury Grove (1964)
HUNGERFORD ROAD (c.1864/5)
Partially built by 1862. Most houses leased 1873. Renumbered 1874.
Margaret, daughter of Alderman William Halliday married Sir Edward Hungerford, who died in 1648, she died in
1672. Margaret founded a magnificent Alms House at Corsham, Wilts. Sir Edward was of Corsham, Wilts.
At no.77 in the 1930s lived Albert Edward Montague, for over a decade Secretary to the Victoria Institute
(Philosophical Society of Great Britain).
Hungerford Road Board School opened in 1896. Renamed Hungerford Primary c.1947. Junior Mixed and Infants,
c.1967; the Infants moved to North Road 1971. Further building took place in 1981.
In 1958 the LCC made the first day school class in the Welsh language for children who wished to learn Welsh at
Hungerford Infants’ School. In 1958 the class had 27 members aged five to six!
HUNTER HOUSE, Junction Road (1960)
HUNTINGDON STREET (1853-4)
Named after the county of Huntingdon for which George Thornhill (1811-75) was MP Part of the Thornhill Estate.
Sir Edmund Gosse (1849-1928) and his father Philip Henry Gosse, FRS (1810-88) deal at some length in Father and
Son (published anonymously in 1907) with the time when they lived at 58 Huntingdon Street (c.1854-55).
Ronald Henry Marwood, a 25 years old scaffolder of Huntingdon Street was hung at Pentonville in 1959 for the
murder of PC Raymond Summers.
HURLOCK HOUSE, Hurlock Street (1939)
HURLOCK STREET
Before 1909/10 Myrtle Street (1846).
Was part of the Cream Hall of Highbury Woods Estate, sold to William Bennett, a London silversmith, in 1819. First
appears as Hurlock Street c.1909/10. In the Bedfordshire dialect ‘hurlock’ is a kind of hard chalk or lime, found
beneath the hilly surface soil.
The VALE MISSION was registered in 1937, used by others after 1948.
ELWOOD HOUSE 1938, HURLOCK HOUSE 1939,
TWYFORD HOUSE 1938. Not in 1939 register of electors, but in the 1945 one.
HURST HOUSE, Weston Rise (1969)
HYDES PLACE (1847) From no.4 Compton Avenue. Demolished c.1956/7. Most probably named after William Hyde,
see under CROSS STREET.
HYNDMAN HOUSE, Brecknock Road (1939)
Named after Henry Mayers Hyndman (1842-1921). Founded in 1881 the Social Democratic Foundation. An
international socialist and in 1911 the chairman of the British Socialist Party. Founded the magazine Justice and
fought against the South African War and also unemployment. Writer, debater and champion of the oppressed.
I
IANG HOUSE, Ward Road (1962)
IBERIA HOUSE, New O/leans Walk (1973)
ICKLEFORD HOUSE, Upper Street (1970)
ILEX HOUSE, Crouch Hill (1971)
ILFORD HOUSE, Baxter Road, Dovercourt Estate (1966)
INCEPTUM PLACE, Strouds Vale
Not on 1841 Census but in 1846-8 rate books.
INDEPENDENT PLACE (c.1806)
Adjoining Cornwall Place. Built by George Pocock.
INGLEBERT STREET (1828)
Before 1935 Upper Chadwell Street.
Named after William Inglebert who in 1606 petitioned the Common Council to bring water from the springs of
Amwell and Chadwell, Herts.
In John Aubrey’s Brief Lives (17th century) ‘Mr.lnglebert’ is credited with being ‘the first Inventor or Projector’ and
that Sir Hugh Myddelton got his portrait in Goldsmith’s Hall but ‘Mr.Fabian Phillips sawe Ingolbert afterwards, in a
poore Rug-gowne like an Almes-man, sitting by an apple-woman at the Pariiament-stayres.’
INGLEBY ROAD, Grove Road, Holloway (c.1869)
See also TOLLINGTON WAY.
In 1870 there were only nos.1-9 (odd). Last in the 1963 register of electors. In the 1930s over twenty houses were
bought for the nurses of the Royal Northern Hospital.
INGRAM PLACE
Ingram Place is shown on a map of 1841 ; first in a rate book 1844. By 1877 nos.1-39 Hornsey Road.
INSTOW PLACE, Queensland Road
So-called c.1915-59. Before then, c.1855- 1914 Albert Place.
INSURANCE STREET
Before c.1916 WILLIAM STREET 1820.
INWORTH WALK, Popham Estate (1974) IRETON ROAD
From c.1860-1937/8 CROMWELL ROAD.
Named after Henry Ireton (1611-51), Parliamentarian General, who married Oliver Cromwell’s daughter Bridget.
Last in the 1971 register of electors, when only no.32 remained.
IRONMONGER ROW
There in 1723.
Built on land belonging to the Ironmonger’s Company bequeathed to them by Thomas Mitchell (also spelt Michell),
ironmonger and citizen of London. Before 1871 there were Orchard Street and Pitman’s Buildings. The separated
section between Mitchell and Old Streets, renamed in 1982 ST.LUKE’S CLOSE. St.Luke’s Churchyard gardens and
burial ground known in the 1930s as ‘Toffee Park’. The churchyard was gardens (Finsbury Borough Council) by 1934,
The Ironmonger Row School was founded by John Fuller, 1727 for the education of 20 boys and upwards.
Ironmonger Row Baths with Turkish baths, laundry, etc. were opened 13th June 1931 by Cllr.C.R.Simpson, JP, LCC,
Mayor of Finsbury, 13th June 1931, building having as its architects, A.W.S. and K.M.B.Cross. An extension was
opened 22nd October 1938 by Alderman C.A.Allen, JP, Mayor. This included a cafe, Turkish baths, children’s
swimming pool, etc.. Councillor Mrs. Marjorie Ogilvy-Webb, Mayor of Islington in December 1985 opened a V/z
million pound ‘face-lift’ to the Baths and Laundry,
Clerkenwell Telephone Exchange was there as early as 1923.
‘Britannia’ public house,c.1936/40, before then a beer retailer’s shop,
William Caslon the Elder, typefounder (1692-1766) opened his first workshop in Helmet Row. He then moved to
Ironmonger Row and was there 1727-37 at a site later nos.39-41, pulled down 1811, rebuilt and renumbered
nos.60,62 and 64. LAGONIER HOUSE 1970.
IRONMONGER STREET, EC1 (1812-13)
IRVINE HOUSE, Caledonian Road (Caledonian Estate) (1964) Formerly Knox Buildings, part of the 1906/7 LCC’s
Caledonian Estate.
ISLAY WALK, Marquess Estate (1973) I slay is a large island of the Inner Hebrides, West of Kintyre,
ISLEDON HOUSE, Prebend Street (19481
Called after one of the early names of Islington, meaning the ‘lower town’ or ‘fort’. Built by the Trustees of the
London Parochial Charities.
ISLEDON COURT, Williamson Street (1975)
ISLEDON ROAD (c.1865/6)
Incorporated Clarence Road in 1877, which road dated from c.1866. Named after one of the early names of Islington,
like Isledon.
At no.3 ‘died poor’ Wm. Pettit Griffith (1815-84), architect and archaeologist, born at 9 St. John’s Square,
Clerkenwell. He restored St. John’s Gate.
ISLINGTON CHURCH ROW, Upper Street
See Vestry Minutes 4th December 1868. So named in 1868, By 1877 nos.309-321 Upper Street.

Islington Green, N1 The centre of old Islington

ISLINGTON HIGH STREET
Before the amalgamation of the former metropolitan boroughs of Islington and Finsbury in 1965, it was often asked
why one side of the High Street was in Finsbury and the other in Islington, This seeming anomaly is explained by a
tradition quoted in the October 1823 Gentleman’s Magazine which cannot be authenticated by any surviving known
documentary evidence. It said that in early times ‘the whole of the ground from the corner of the Back Road [now
Liverpool Road] to the Angel Inn at the corner of the new Road [Pentonville Road] was forfeited by the parish of St.
Mary Islington in consequence of their refusal to bury a pauper found dead at the corner of the Back Road.’
Before the 1860s Islington High Street contained a number of subsidiary names such as Clarke’s Place, Hedge Row,
Oddy’s Row, Pierrepoint Row. See also WEST PLACE.
In 1868 and 1878 these subsidiary names were abolished and renumbering took place and the whole renamed HIGH
STREET. High Street, Islington was renamed Islington High Street on the 1st July 1936.
The ‘ANGEL INN’ gave its name to the corner and district known as ‘The Angel’. It was there as early as the 17th
century and had as its sign the Angel of the Annunciation (with wings outspread). It had a double- galleried yard in
which stage plays were enacted. The original inn was pulled down in 1819, superseded by another which was
refaced and altered in 1824 and again in 1850, then rebuilt in 1880.
In 1899 Messrs. Eedle & Myers were commissioned to redesign the public house and put in the cupola. The Angel
Hotel with its Silver Grille, patronised often by visitors to the Agricultural Hall, used to cater from between 300 and
800 lunches a day!
In 1921 Messrs.J. Lyons & Co. took over as THE ANGEL CORNER HOUSE and Tea Shop with its busy ‘nippies’
(waitresses). This flourished from 1922-59. After 1960 the building was used as an annexe to the City University until
1968. It now houses the Co-operative Bank and a firm of financial consultants. The Victorian ‘Angel Inn’ featured in
Oliver Twist and Boots at the Holly Tree Inn in Christmas Stories.
Tom Paine (1737-1809) who wrote the Rights of Man whilst living in Clerkenwell is also alleged to have lodged there.
The PEACOCK INN, celebrated in the Pollard print ‘North Country Mails at the Peacock’ was there as early as 1564,
but was rebuilt several times. It was featured in Thomas Hughes’ Tom Brown’s Schooldays and in Dickens’ Nicholas
Nickleby. Like ‘The Angel’ it was a stopping-place of stage coaches, particularly those travelling to Cambridge and/or
the North of England. In 1962 it ceased to exist as licensed premises and then became ‘Marble Arch Barbecue’, then
a television rental shop. A plaque over no.11a, outfitters, records the existence of this once famous coaching inn.
THE ANGEL CINEMA, by 1963 The Odeon, 7 High Street, was leased by British Arcades 1910-11, from 1911-16 the
Picture Palace of ‘Picture Exhibition’. They started to advertise motion pictures in July 1913 (seats bookable at 3d, 6d
and 1/-). Messrs. Rank & Co. took over in 1926, Its last cinema performance was 18th March 1972 and the building
was derelict in 1980.
Constantine de Jong was conductor of the orchestra at the Angel Cinema and Florence de Jong pianist, organist and
musical director to the National Film Theatre is his daughter.
The ANGEL TURNPIKE was erected first at the corner of White Lion Street and Islington High Street, then
subsequently close to the entrance to the Liverpool Road. In 1808 it was midway between the two. ‘John
Gilpin’s Ride’ in the narrative poem by William Cowper is supposed to have taken place in 1743. The route would
have been up Aldersgate to Goswell Road and then: ‘Twas wonderful to view How in a trice the turnpike men Their
gates wide open threw.’
His most likely route would have been along the Lower Road, Balls Pond Road, Kingsland High Street to Edmonton.
Turnpike gates were removed in 1864.
The PHILHARMONIC HALL, later Grand Theatre, Islington High Street (architects: Finch, Hill & Paraire) was opened in
1860 for the holding of high-class concerts. Alterations were made in 1870.
Emily Soldene (see under SOLDENE COURT and under DUNCAN TERRACE) was a star of light opera there. The
Philharmonic Theatre produced a brilliant series of French light opera. In September 1882 it was burnt down but the
GRAND THEATRE (designed by Frank Matcham) opened on the site. Sir Seymour Hicks made his first stage
appearance therein 1887. In that year fire broke out again and it opened again in 1888. Sir Henry Irving appeared
there and Lewis Waller’s and Sir George Alexander’s theatrical companies. Harry Randall and Tom Costello made its
Xmas pantomimes famous and Lottie Collins sung ‘Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay!’, her hit song from the Tivoli, Again in 1900
it was burnt down, reopening in 1901. It became a variety house in 1907, The Empire in 1908, New Islington Empire
(late Grand Theatre) by 1911. Variety was there up to 1932 and cinema plus variety 1933-37. In 1939 the cinema
became the Islington Empire, later the Empire Cinema (1,029 seats), closed 1962.
At the Grand Theatre Shelley’s The Cenci was produced and among the 3,000 in the audience were Robert Browning,
George Meredith, Sir Percy and Lady Shelley, Andrew Lang and Bernard Shaw! At that time the secretary in 1886 of
the Shelley Society was T.J. Wise (see under DEVONSHIRE ROAD). This first performance had Alma Murray as
Beatrice Cenci, Hermann Vezin as The Count and Philip Ben Greet as Savella, the Pope’s Legate.
In 1883 none other than Oscar Wilde appeared as Mayne of Tattersall’s in Paul Merritt’s play New Babylon.
After the Empire Cinema closed on 10th of March, 1962, the facade with its classic columns and caryatides stood for
a time whilst the site was a car park until 1981. The columns and statues were removed to the Museum of London,
Barbican.
See also KEI R HARDIE HOUSE.
THE GALLERIES, opposite to 84-100 Islington High Street and between there and Upper Street is the former LCC
tramway power station and, earlier, horse-tram depot. Architect: E. Vincent Harris. Now devoted to antique shops.
The ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, main entrance in Islington High Street 1986 is seven storeys high with 190,000
square feet of office space.
The WHITE SWAN TAVERN was once part of Rufford’s Buildings and was there as early as 1806.
ANGEL STATION. Opened 17th of November 1901.
ENRICO MALATESTA (1853-1932), anarchist and leader of a revolutionary outbreak in Italy in June 1914 was the
founder and editor of La Revolte (Paris) and La Question Sociale (USA). Found guilty of libel at his trial at Bow Street
in May 1912 he stated that he had lived for 12 years in England and had been in business as an electrical engineer in
London. Local directories show him as the latter in 1903 and 1904 at 114 High Street, Islington. The Library possesses
an original letter from Louise Michel, the French fighter for women’s rights (1837-1905) and other material on him.
ISLINGTON PARK STREET
Before 1938 PARK STREET.
This was originally 1835 Kettle Lane, then Stewards Lane and known as Park Lane on a map of 1806, then later Park
Street.
In Kettle Lane lived Mary Hays (17601843) during the last years of the 18th and the early part of the 19th centuries.
George Dyer, the poet, who visited Lamb introduced her to the editor of the Critical Review and she wrote a novel,
also Female Biography and Memoirs of Queens, Illustrious and Celebrated.
ISLINGTON PLACE (1835)
On a 1952 map between 25 and 27 Cloudesley Road. By 1971 an electricity sub-station was on the site.
ISLINGTON ROAD
Now St. John Street.
The Brock family of ‘Brock’s Fireworks’ had their home and business there. The firm supplied fireworks to the
surrounding pleasure gardens. On 5 November, 1720 an accident killed John Brock and his daughter. Buried at St.
James, Clerkenwell.
ISLINGTON STREET
From 1839-41 part of Upper Islington Terrace.
ISLINGTON TERRACE, Park Street (1823)
Upper Islington Terrace after 1866 was nos. 118-166 Cloudesley Road.
Lower Islington Terrace was nos. 40-116.
IVER COURT, Canonbury Park South (1953)
IVINGHOE HOUSE, Hilldrop Road (Hilldrop Estate) (1948)
Ivinghoe Beacon, 904 feet, is near Ivinghoe, Bucks.
J
JACK WALKER COURT. Panmure Close, Leigh Road (1976)
Named after Cllr. Jack Walker, elected to the Council in 1961 and Mayor in 1974.
JACKSON ROAD (c.1864/5)
JACKSON’S BUILDINGS, Stroud Green Road (1913)
By 1915 PARADE, The (q.v.).
JACOBIN LODGE, Hillmarton Road (1970)
The ‘Jacobins’ were a political society formed during the French Revolution and extremely powerful until 1794.
JACOB’S ALLEY and JACOB’S COURT
There 1720. Until the 1860s. Turnmill Street.
JAMES COURT, Hullbridge Mews, Raynor Place (New North Road Estate) (1981)
JAMES PLACE, Holloway Road By 1866 nos. 236-238 Holloway Road.
JAMES PLACE, Lower Road (1848)
Between Lansdowne Cottages and James Street. In the rate books until 1855.
JAMES PLACE
After 1896 BATH STREET.
Originally Pest House Row, c. 1725. Name abolished 1896.
JAMES STREET, Lower Road (1813-1855) From 1855 Victoria Road and by 1863 ELMORE STREET (q.v.).
JAMES STREET, East Street, Strouds Vale.
On a large scale map of 1871.
After 1890-1 RUFFORD STREET.
JAMES STREET, Dame Street (1847)
JAMES STREET
Between Eden Grove and Georges Road.
On a 1894/6 large scale OS map, not on a 1952 map, as flats on the site.
JAMES STREET (1810-11)
After 1908 MALLOW STREET.
Ebenezer Bennett, sculptor, lived at 5 James Street, Goswell Road, 1858-61.
Griffith Davies (1788-1854) FRS, mathematical genius, in 1811 opened a small school in James Street.
See also LIZARD STREET, BARTHOLOMEW SQUARE.
JAPAN CRESCENT
Not in directories until 1888.
The ‘Japan House’ stood next to the former Stapleton Hall, Stroud Green and in T. Cromwell’s Walks through
Islington (1835), the author said that when the boundaries were beaten ‘it had been customary for the
Churchwardens … to provide rolls, cheese and ale for the refreshment of the parochial procession, including the
charity children.’
JAPAN HOUSE (1888).
JAVENS CHAMBERS, Clerkenwell Road (1886)
There until c. 1959/60.
JERSEY HOUSE, Marquess Road (Marquess Estate) (1959)
JERUSALEM COURT, St. John’s Square
There, 1720, and until the 1890s.
JERUSALEM PASSAGE, EC1
There in the 17th century.
Named after the St. John of Jerusalem tavern which up to 1720 was at the north east corner.
Thomas Britton (1654-1714), the musical ‘small-coal man’ who established a musical club over his shop. The house
was at the corner of Jerusalem Passage and Aylesbury Street. John Hughes (1677-1720), poet and playwright, was a
violinist and the organist was on some occasions none other than G. F. Handel!
JESSOP COURT, Graham Street, N1 (1969)
Named after William Jessop, Chief Engineer to the Grand Junction canal.
JETHOU HOUSE, Marquess Road (Marquess Estate) (1959)
Jethou is one of the Channel Islands, 31/2 miles east of Guernsey.
JOCELIN HOUSE, Carne.g.ie Street Barnsbury Estate. (1953)
JOHN KENNEDY COURT, Newington Green Road (1965) Sheltered.
JOHN KING COURT (1976) St. John’s Grove.
Named after John R. King, former library caretaker from c. 1949 until his death in 1975; he was Hon. Sec. of the
employees side Local Government Works Committee for Manual Workers. The architects of the Court were Dry,
Halasz, Dixon partnership.
JOHN SPENCER SQUARE (1963)
Named after Alderman Sir John Spencer (died 1609) known as ‘Rich Spencer’ because of his possessions, who
became Lord Mayor of London in 1594 and owned Crosby Place, Bishopsgate. See also CANONBURY PLACE.
A notable resident of the square was Ted Castle, journalist (Edward Cyril, Baron Castle, ex-Alderman GLC) who died
in 1979. A resident, the Rt. Hon. Barbara Castle, PC, ex-Cabinet Minister and Leader of the Labour Group, European
Parliament.
JOHN STREET, Liverpool Road (1819)
In 1866 Upper John Street and John Street were called John Street throughout and renumbered.
After 1898 LOFTING ROAD (q.v.)
JOHN STREET, Thornhill Crescent (1847)
By 1899 LOFTING ROAD.
JOHN STREET WEST, Hemingford Road (1850)
After 1872, LOFTING ROAD.
JOHN STREET, Yardley Street, Clerkenwell Name abolished, 1899.
JOHN STREET, Tysoe Street, Spa Fields
Was there 1833. Name abolished as part of Rosebery Avenue.
JOHN STREET, Mildmay (1845)
By 1872 St. Jude Street.
Johns Place is in 1854 and 1855 rate books as also is Johns Terrace.
JOHN STREET, Upper Holloway (1829)
After 1872 WEDMORE STREET, see also TIGER COTTAGES.
JOHN STREET, Georges Road (c.1880-1)
Re-named Bratton Street 1898,gone by 1930.
JOHN STREET, Pentonville (1811)
Named after John Collier, for many years Henry Penton’s rent collector.
In 1843 had in it the Sun Brewery and livery stables.
Since 1880 RISINGHILL STREET.
JOHNS PLACE, High Street (1845)
In rate books 1845-55 between Oddy’s Row and Charles Street. Not in directories.
JOHNS PLACE, John’s Row, St. Luke’s
Name abolished 1861.
JOHNS PLACE, St. John Street
Name abolished 1877.
JOHNS TERRACE, Holloway Road (1854)
By 1871 nos. 340-352 Holloway Road.
JOHN WHEATLEY HOUSE. Hazellville Road fc. 1945)
Named after the Rt. Hon. John Wheatley, PC. JP. Labour MP for the Shettleston Division of Glasgow, 1930. Minister
of Health in 1924. Was a pamphleteer in his early years as a miner.
JOLIFFE HOUSE, Tufnell Park Road (1967)
Named after William Tufnell (died 1979) who assumed the name Joliffe.
JORDAIN PLACE, Elder Walk
In the 1845 rate book.
JOSEPH TROTTER CLOSE, Skinner Street (Finsbury Estate) (1968)
Joseph Trotter was a former Alderman and Mayor of Finsbury.
JUNCTION ROAD
Junction Road was cut through as a road linking Kentish Town and Holloway Road 1811. Becoming residential, c.
1854/7.
In 1860 consisted of 1-18 Vorley Villas, 1-9 Grosvenor Villas, 1-10 Junction Villas, the ‘Boston Arms Tavern’ and
‘Tretherway Lodge’. In 1857 lamps were placed 100 yards apart from where the ‘new houses’ be.g.an.
The 1888/9 Annual Report of the Vestry reported serious obstruction caused by ‘stalls and barrows of
costermongers’ standing on the carriageway on Saturday nights.
There was the ‘Boston Arms Tavern’ in 1860, but in 1884 it was called ‘The Boston’ and the next year ‘The Boston
Hotel’. In March 1967 it was gutted by fire but re-opened in 1968.
The ‘St. John’s Tavern’ was there in 1863 and the ‘Prince of Denmark’ in 1866.
‘The Lion’ was at no. 8 in 1870 and in 1874 at no. 86 The Junction Arms’, in 1964 re-named the ‘Drum & Monkey’
because the 19th century tenant had in the bar an ornament depicting a monkey and a drum.
JUNCTION ROAD Congregational Church was originally dedicated in 1866 and its covenant signed in 1867. It was
damaged by bombing 21st July 1944 and in 1952 redesigned and called The Church of the Growing Light, re-opening
at Tremlett Grove. Architect: G. S. Harrison. The church closed June 11th, 1978.
The Rev. H. D. Oliver, MA, was Minister 1943 to 1967 and was Chaplain to two Mayors and also a former President of
Islington Free Church Federal Council.
ARCHWAY STATION (Northern line) 1907.
The ARCHWAY TOWER, over the Underground station, dates from 1974 and had 70,400 square feet and solar
glazing.
The Stanley Hall Assembly Rooms and Marble Swimming Baths opened in 1885 at 176 Junction Road (proprietor:
Walter Lewis). Musical concerts were held there and in 1961 the building was occupied by a school of ballroom
dancing and a gown manufacturers. In the 1890s there was an annual fancy dress ball held on St. Valentine’s Day.
The Hampstead Junction Railway was managed by the North London Railway from 1864; in 1967 it was absorbed in
the LNWR.
JUNCTION ROAD STATION was opened 1871-2, Upper Holloway 21 July 1868. Closed 1943.
At Highgate Hill and Junction Road since 1854 were the Victoria & Paradise Nurseries, Upper Holloway. run by
Benjamin S. Williams, FLS. FRHS (1824-1890) and Robert Parker. Benjamin Williams was a skilled plant cultivator and
the author of several much- esteemed Victorian gardeners’ manuals, such as ‘The Orchid Grower’s Manual’, ‘Choice
Stove and Greenhouse Ornamental Leaved Plants, etc.’, ‘The Orchid Album’ etc..
JUNCTION ROAD (Strouds Vale) After 1891/2 RUFFORD STREET
JUPITER WAY, Westbourne Estate (1976/71
JURBY HOUSE, Upper Street (1920) Re-building 1983/4. Jurby is on the north west coast of the Isle of Man, 6 miles
north west of Ramsey.
K
KATHERINE PRICE HUGHES House, Highbury Grove (c. 1962)
KEEN’S YARD, St. Pauls Road
First appears in the 1883 Islington directory. Henry Charles Keen, builder, flourished 1860-1899. 89 St. Pauls Road
and 89a were stables. St. Pauls Road was re-numbered c. 1860-3.
KEIGHLEY CLOSE, Camden Road (1974)
Keighley is in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
KEIR HARDIE HOUSE (c.1945)
Named after James Keir Hardie (1856-1915), Labour MP for West Ham, 1892-5 and from 1900 for three subsequent
elections for Merthyr Tydfil. He was in 1892 one of the founders of the ILP and the first Chairman of the
Parliamentary Labour Party.
In 1904 he addressed a meeting organised by the ILP at Highbury Corner and was invited to the ‘Devonshire Coffee
Rooms’, Drayton Park, then a home of the I LP. In the same year he addressed a mass meeting of unemployed with
Ramsay Macdonald, in February 1904 at the former Grand Theatre, Islington High Street. The late Cllr. David J. Lewis,
Mayor, 1957-8, came to Islington from South Wales in 1946 and when he was a young man had talks with and advice
from Keir Hardie.
KELBY HOUSE. Sutterton Street (Boston Estate) (1972)
KELROSS ROAD
See ARDILAUN ROAD, c.1892. In 1894 became Kelross Road.
A temporary RC church was opened in 1920 on the site of the former Carmelite Chapel (1918). But on 23 September
1962 Cardinal Godfrey, Archbishop of Westminster opened the new Church of St. Joan of Arc, designed by S. C. Kerr
Bate, LRIBA. In 1963 this had a new organ designed by James Lang and built by Messrs. J. W. Walker and Sons. In the
church are statues of St. Therese of Lisieux and of St. Joseph the Worker and Child carved by the eminent sculptor
Ferdinand Stuflesser. The perspex statue of St. Joan of Arc is by Arthur J. Fleischmann, FRBS. The church is the first in
the UK to have a ‘Preventor’ radio-active lightning-conductor. The Presbytery in Highbury Park is designed by S. Kerr
Bate. 1964.
Cardinal Heenan visited the church in 1967 and Cardinal Hume in 1977. The Church hall registered in 1921 was in
1971 cancelled as a place for marriage registration. In 1972 it was badly damaged by fire but has been used since as
a law centre and an ‘alternative community centre’. The St. Joan of Arc RC School is in NORTHOLME ROAD (see under
the latter). ROSE ALBA MEWS 1899.
KELVIN ROAD (c. 1870) Re-name of the former Kelvin Terrace, Offa Road, Park Road. On a large scale 1870 map. Renumbered
1883/4 when re-named Kelvin Road.
It was Lord Kelvin who in 1906 on behalf of the National Telephone Company unveiled a tablet to Michael Faraday.
See BRIDE STREET.
William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin of Largs (1824-1907) was in 1866 knighted for his work in electricity, science,
signalling apparatus and on the Atlantic Cable and was President of the Royal Society, 1890-5 and made a peer in
1892.
GARDNER COURT 1962, LYNDON COURT 1983-4.
KENDAL HOUSE, Priory Green Estate, Collier Street (1950)
John Kendall (died 1501) was Grand Prior of the Order of St. John, 1491.
KENT PLACE, Bemerton Street (1841)
In rate books to 1854, but not directories.
KENTON HOUSE Gillespie Estate, Gillespie Road (1971)
KENWRICK HOUSE, Charlotte Terrace, Barnsbury Estate. (1954) Re-building 1954.
KEPPEL ROW, Matthias Road, Newington Green (1823)
Named after Augustus, Viscount Keppel (1725-1786), First Lord of the Admiralty, 1782, who captured Havana in
1761.
By 1882 nos. 89-105 Matthias Road. No. 103 was bomb-damaged, but was, until 1948 the headquarters of Henry
Keat & Sons, of Mayville Street, world-famous makers of bugles, coach and hunting horns.
KERRIDGE COURT
Opened 9th of September, 1950 by Mrs. Kerridge, in the presence of Alderman Gwyn D. Jones, JP, MRST, Mayor and
Councillor Commander R. M. Heath, RD, RNR, Islington Sea Cadets and others. A bronze tablet also perpetuates the
memory of Lt. Commander Roy Sheldrake Kerridge, RNR, who lost his life in attempting to make safe a parachute
mine which fell in Wright Road, N1, September 22nd, 1940. As a result of the explosion 1 22 houses were destroyed
or made totally uninhabitable.
KERRY, North Road (Market Estate) (1968)
KERWICK CLOSE, Nailour Street (1975)
KESTREL HOUSE, Pickard Street, City Road, EC (1970)
KETTLE LANE
See ISLINGTON PARK STREET.
KEYSOE HOUSE, Upper Street (1970)
Keysoe is in Bedfordshire, south west of Kimbolton.
KEYSTONE CRESCENT
Before 1912 CALEDONIAN CRESCENT (1846).
The houses, at first floor level have a number of original surviving parish boundary wall-plates, denoting the area’s
former division between the parishes of St. Mary Islington and of St. James, Clerkenwell.
KILLICK COTTAGES, Killick Street
From 1885 formerly Winchester Cottages. There until about 1960-3.
KILLICK STREET
Before 1938 WINCHESTER STREET. Before 1885 nos. 21-4 Thornhill Place, dating from 1832.
Nos. 40-60 before 1886 New Winchester Street, Upper Winchester Street (c. 1846) Winchester Terrace.
Named after Peter Gorringe Killick who lived in Amwell Street from 1882-1896. Surveyor’s Assistant to the
Clerkenwell Vestry, Surveyor from 1896 to 1900 and then Finsbury BC Surveyor 1900-29, also being a Churchwarden
of St. Mark’s Church.
BONINGTON HOUSE (q.v.) 1938 re-habilitated, 1981, STUART MILL HOUSE 1950.
John Stuart Mill (1806-1973), philosopher, writer and economist was born 20 May 1806 at Rodney Street,
Pentonville; the house was demolished in 1957. He is also alleged to have resided for a time in an un-identified
house at Newington Green.
KIMBLE HOUSE (Hilldrop Estate), Dalmeny Avenue (1968)
KINEFOLD HOUSE, York Way (1968)
Commemorates the sheep and cattle pens of the old Metropolitan Cattle Market and the Drovers’ route. See
CALEDONIAN ROAD.
KING COURT (1767)
On 1841 Census. 1851 as King’s Court, after 1909 BEECH COURT.
KING SQUARE (1822-5)
ST’ BARNABAS’S CHURCH, King Square (architect: Thomas Hardwick (1752-1829) 1822/6. In 1824 accommodated
1603 people.
John Richard Green (1837-1883) was a curate there in 1860. Best remembered for his History of the English People.
The church was used as a repository for church organs during the Second World War. By 1954 re-named ST.
CLEMENTS.
George Baxter (1804-67), inventor of oil colour picture printing and wood engraver moved to 29 King Square in 1830
and was there until 1835.
In 1967 was a Home of Service at no. 36 A Finsbury Kitchen for Mothers (Liberal Asian League).
KING SQUARE ESTATE (1963/4)
Architects: Emberton, Franck & Tardrew. BARNABAS, RAHERE and MACCLESFIELD HOUSES 1963 etc.., PRESIDENT
HOUSE 1964.TELFER and TURNPIKE HOUSES. 1965.
KING STREET, Lower Road (c. 1790)
By 1866 nos. 361-399 and 286-314 New North Road.
See also KINGS MEAD COTTAGES, NEW NORTH ROAD.
KING STREET TERRACE (1820)
By 1866 nos. 280-250 and 319-359 New North Road.
KING STREET (1840)
After 1880 CYRUS STREET, Compton Street.
KING STREET, Finsbury Square
After 1889 Christopher Street. In about 1708 was Cow Lane and Raven Alley. On a 1775 map as ‘The Queen’s Way to
Newmarket. The Finsbury Dispensary was in 1819 moved to a ‘large and handsome house here’ from 124 St. John
Street, later moving to Woodbridge Street.
KING EDWARD STREET (1842)
Since 1937 BROMFIELD STREET (q.v.)
KING EDWARD TERRACE
By 1869 nos. 48-68 Liverpool Road.
Near the Royal Agricultural Hall until 1932 was a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel opened 1826, re-opened 1844, burnt
1848, re-opened November 1849 (architect: James Wilson, FSA) ‘largely due to the generosity of Chubb the lockmaker.’
Closed for worship 1st August 1929.
KING CROSS ROAD
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin founder of the USSR; commemorative plaque located at The Royal Scot Hotel Kings Cross Road
EC1
James Sargant Storer (1771-1853), famous engraver and draughtsman, died 23 December 1853 at 5 King Edward
Terrace. He worked from 1814 with his eldest son, Henry Sargant Storer who died 8 January 1837 aged 41. See also
CHAPE L STR EET.
KING HENRY STREET (1845)
NEPTUNE HOUSE (Mayville Estate) 1962.
KING HENRY’S WALK (1842) Built up further by 1865.
Henry VIII is alleged to have temporarily stayed in an old house, formerly the property of Henry Algernon Percy, 4th
Earl of Northumberland (died 1537) and also in an old house called Bishop’s Place, pulled down soon after 1800,
which stood at the north east corner of the Green. These two houses and a hunting-lodge alleged to have been on
the site of the old Mildmay Memorial Hospital Nurses’ Home were said to have been used by Henry VIII and his
entourage. When they went hunting in this area, this was afforested.
The pathway leading from the turnpike, road at Balls Pond to the corner of Newington Green was known as King
Henry’s Walk or King Harry’s Walk.
See also MILDMAY PARK, MILDMAY VILLAS.
Contains CHORLEY HALL 1937 after the North-East Gospel Mission, founded in 1870 by William Chorley, an annexe
to which was opened in 1953 and became the North-East London Gospel Mission.
In the 1970s the Order of the Ursulines of Jesus opened a house at no.8. ‘ :* •
The former Tilers’ and Bricklayers’ Almshouses, designed by William Grellier in the Gothic style, had their foundation
stone laid in 1836 and in 1838 an additional wing was added. These were pulled down c.1937 and the land acquired
by the Board of Guardians and Trustees for the Relief of the Jewish Poor (Registered).
In March 1952 Islington Council acquired the land and built TUDOR COURT on the site.
In 1841 were erected in the Tudor style (architect: S.S.Teulon) the Almshouses of the Worshipful Company of Dyers.
Added to 1850-2. These were closed in 1938 and replaced by Tudor Court on the site.
MILDMAY LODGE 1919, DOCWRA’S BUILDINGS c.1870 (q.v.), ST.JUDE’S COTTAGES 1906.
ST.JUDE’S CHURCH, Mildmay Park (architect: Alexander Dick Gough 1855).
The Central Library possesses a unique Commonplace Book kept by the Revd Daniel Bell Hankin, Vicar from August
1875 until 1904 also the Log Books of the St. Jude’s Infants’ Schools, 6 vols. (MSS) 1862-1913 and the St. Jude’s Girls
School Summary of Attendance and Payments, 1897/8 and 1903/4, 2 vols.
The Schools opened in Mildmay Grove, 1857, replaced 1865 by St. Jude’s C.of E. Elementary School. New school
opened in 1885 in King Henry’s Walk. Boys’ and Infant school burned down 1924, new building 1926. Reorganised in
1953 with Junior Mixed in King Henry’s Walk and the Infants in Mildmay Grove. Frederick Albert Slocombe (1847-
1920) painter and etcher lived in 1866 at 11 Radnor Terrace and from c.1869-73 at the house of Charles Slocombe,
31 King Henry’s Walk; Alfred Slocombe, artist, was at no.36.
KINGS COTTAGES, Hornsey Road (c.1870) By 1886 nos.249-253 Hornsey Road.
KINGS HEAD COURT
Originally Kings Court (there in 1767). On 1841 Census as King Court, but 1851 one as Kings Court. After 1909, BEECH
COURT, Red Lion Market.
KINGS MEAD COTTAGES, King Street (1836)
In rate books 1836-55, not directories. Between George Street and William Street, New North Road.
KINGS ROAD, Balls Pond Road (1854) By 1874 KINGSBURY ROAD.
KINGS ROAD, Seven Sisters Road After 1871 MONSELL ROAD (q.v.).
KINGS ROW, Pentonville
Formerly Happy Man Row. Built c.1773/4.
KINGS TERRACE, Bagnigge Wells Road
Name abolished 1863.
KINGSBURY ROAD
Before 1872/3 Kings Road, Balls Pond, 1854.
Off Kingsbury Road is the Jewish Burial Ground, opened in 1851, of the West London Cemetery of British Jews. Some
internments took place during the 1939/45 War. The Cemetery is listed in the Jewish Year Book as the Jewish
‘Reform’ Cemetery, and as Kingsbury Road Cemetery.
HAWTHORNE CLOSE 1970, THE LODGE 1977,
KINGS CROSS ROAD (Boundary road with Camden)
Partially renumbered in 1886.
Originally Bagnigge Wells Road before 1863 (q.v.). See also SUSAN LAWRENCE HOSTEL. The ROYAL SCOT HOTEL
1970, opened 17th November 1972, Centremoor Ltd, architect George Crueditch, has a plaque to Lenin formerly at
16 Percy Circus, where he lived for a short time in 1905.
For Rowton House see under ROWTON HOUSE, Kings Cross Road.
KINGSDOWN ROAD (1860)
Only three houses in 1860, by 1871, 48 and by 1874, later nos. In 1875 incorporated BROUGHAM ROAD.
ST,PAULS CHURCH, Kingsdown Road (architect: Henry Jarvis c.1853). 26th September 1940 damaged by a land mine.
Closed and demolished 1953.
LARCHM0RE COURT 1967,ST.PAULS COURT 1959.
KINGSLAND (1808)
KINGSLAND BASIN, Regents Canal (1830)
KINGSLAND COMMON (1817)
KINGSLAND GREEN (1834)
Kingsland High Street, Hackney was the ‘high or principal street of a former hamlet in the King’s hunting lands’. South
of Balls Pond Road was the Kingsland Leper Hospital and Chapel, founded 1280. The remains of the old chapel were
demolished in 1846 and the ‘Star & Garter’ built there.
KINGSLEY HOUSE, Brecknock Road Estate
On the 1945 register of electors.
KINGSTON COTTAGES, Gainford Street (q.v.)
In the rate books 1827-32,
KINLOCH STREET (1878)
Included Kinloch Cottages (two in number). Kinloch is in Perthshire, Scotland. DRUMMER LODGE 1966.
KINROSS HOUSE, Bingfield Street
(Bemerton Estate) (1960)
KIPP HOUSE, 54 Britton Street (1970)
KIVER ROAD (c.1881/2)
Not in local directories until 1882. Named after a Mrs. Kiver, the owner of the property who applied in 1867 to the
former Metropolitan Board of Works.
KNOX BUILDINGS, (LCC’s Caledonian Estate) (1906) IRVINE HOUSE 1964.

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