The material on this page is organised chronologically, with the most recent additions at the top.
As well as the individually authored articles, there is also a series of 'brief histories', produced by the Society, to give a general introduction to the history of the local areas and buildings.
This is the first article in a new series for 2022 – Hornsey Personalities of the Past
The birds and the bees in 19th century Muswell Hill
The 19th century naturalist who immediately comes to mind is Charles Darwin whose seminal work, The Origin of Species, (1859) rocked the sedate world and beliefs of the Victorian Establishment. It is, therefore, surprising to learn that Darwin rated W B Tegetmeieran authority on several species of birds and on bees and corresponded with him for years. Indeed, Tegetmeier’s house in St James’s Lane, Muswell Hill, came to be known as ‘The Bee House’ as a result of his extensive work studying and breeding them.
HORNSEY IN HISTORY A 1972 series of Hornsey Journal articles by Ian Murray, first Chairman of Hornsey Historical Society and Haringey Council Archivist. The HHS gratefully acknowledges the kind permission of Archant/Ham and High for this reproduction.
No.11: Pin’s (or Muswell) Hill
The View down Muswell Hill in 1822 by T M Baynes 1794 – 1852
Because of its geographical isolation, Muswell Hill remained something of a rural backwater even by Hornsey standards, until 80 or 90 years ago (now nearly 140 years ago – editor). The Hearth Tax returns of 1674 indicate that only 30 houses existed there and at Fortis Green. A public house, however, undoubtedly the Green Man, had stood at Muswell Hill from at least 1552 [Read more…] about Pin’s (or Muswell) Hill
We may think that we have nothing in common with the people who waited silently and reflectively at the opening of the Hornsey War Memorial in Park Road on 11th November 1921 but that is not so. We are joined by the word ‘pandemic’, not Spanish Flu this time but Covid 19, and how many people waiting patiently the mandatory 15 minutes after their first, second or booster Covid jab in a room off Hornsey Central Neighbourhood Health Centre in Park Road, N8, realise that they are sitting inside the Hornsey War Memorial? [Read more…] about A Hundred Years Since the Opening of the Hornsey War Memorial on 11 November 1921
Nightingale Hall, c.1890. This shows a castellated façade with a large conservatory, probably Victorian modifications, on the SW side, suggesting an earlier building in the background.
This is the sixth in our series on Lost Houses of our area. This edited text was written by the late Albert Pinching, HHS Sales Manager for 21 years and editor for 14 years of our annual journal, the Bulletin, who died at the end of July this year. The full text was a chapter in ‘People and Places: Lost Estates in Highgate, Hornsey and Wood Green’, published by HHS in 1996.
Before the advent in 1859 of Wood Green Station (now Alexandra Palace Station) on the Great Northern Railway (GNR) much of the area was farmland claimed from the Great Forest of Middlesex. One of the few distinctive buildings was Nightingale Hall, situated on the SW side of Bounds Green Road, covering the site now occupied by the Adventist Church, with its outbuildings and gardens extending over what are now Northcott and Cornwall Avenues. [Read more…] about Lost Houses: Nightingale Hall, Wood Green
This is the fifth article in the series on Lost Houses of the Hornsey area. This mid-19thcentury house and grounds was situated on Southwood Lane (now Muswell Hill Road N10) and is associated with the Victorian literary elite.[Read more…] about Lost Houses: Woodlands, Muswell Hill
A 1972 series of Hornsey Journal articles by Ian Murray, first Chairman of Hornsey Historical Society and Haringey Council Archivist. The HHS gratefully acknowledges the kind permission of Archant/Ham and High for this reproduction.
No.12: South of Hog’s Back
From the Hog’s Back, a view of Alexandra Palace, 1972
Part of the southern boundary of Hornsey is neatly marked by the ridge of high ground, known as the Hog’s Back which stretches by way of Hornsey Lane and Mountview Road to Harringay West Station. South of this ridge lies Stroud Green and Finsbury Park which have always been within Hornsey parish. Until the end of the 19th century Hornsey extended even further south, as far as Mountgrove Road, leading into Green Lanes opposite Clissold Park. [Read more…] about South of Hog’s Back
Topsfield Hall, Crouch End, 1894, shortly before demolition
This is the fourth article in the series on Lost Houses of the Hornsey area. It has been written by Alice Jenkins, a sixth form History student at Highgate Wood School, who has spent her summer holidays on work experience with the HHS Archive volunteers and who will shortly be applying to universities for admission in autumn 2022. HHS wishes her well.
A 1972 series of Hornsey Journal articles by Ian Murray, first Chairman of Hornsey Historical Society and Haringey Council Archivist. The HHS gratefully acknowledges the kind permission of Archant/Ham and High for this reproduction.
No.10: Crowche Ende hamlet
Crouch End is derived from an old English word meaning ‘cross’ and ‘end’ is obviously what it says, an end, boundary or limit. So, the name means the cross boundary. The cross refers either to cross roads as four roads have converged here for centuries, or to an actual cross for which there is some evidence. [Read more…] about Crowche Ende Hamlet
On Thursday 19th August, Crouch End will see the return of a major part of its cultural life. After a nearly eighteen month absence, Downstairs at the Kings Head, one of the oldest comedy clubs in the country, will reopen. [Read more…] about Downstairs at the Kings Head
