We take it for granted today that from the more northerly reaches of the HHS district it can take under thirty minutes to get to central London by tube. This was not always the case. [Read more…] about The Piccadilly Line Extension : Part One
Articles
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.
The Proposed Town Hall : Background
The iconic Art Deco Hornsey Town Hall in Crouch End opened at the end of 1935. Yet the Hornsey Journal, 19 September 1919, refers to town hall plans on this site then. Why did it take so long to realise these ambitions? Where was the original town hall and why did that building and its location have to change? [Read more…] about The Proposed Town Hall : Background
Hollywood Green, Wood Green : What was there before ?
It is very difficult to imagine that central Wood Green with its cinema complex, shops, road junction and busy traffic was ever peaceful countryside with the New River meandering through. So what was Hollywood Green before? [Read more…] about Hollywood Green, Wood Green : What was there before ?
Hornsey’s Proposed War Memorial: The Continuing Story
The ongoing fractious debate and depth of feeling felt over the type of borough war memorial best for Hornsey was highlighted in the first of the series Hornsey in 1919. What happened in the intervening months between January and August 1919? Was Hornsey any nearer deciding on the nature of its borough war memorial? [Read more…] about Hornsey’s Proposed War Memorial: The Continuing Story
Hornsey’s Response to the Treaty of Versailles and to Peace Day
An Armistice had ended the Great War on 11 November 1918. The peace treaty between the Allies and Germany was signed on 28 June 1919, exactly 5 years after Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination triggered the conflict. The other Central Powers signed separate treaties. What was Hornsey’s response to these events and why were the children involved?
[Read more…] about Hornsey’s Response to the Treaty of Versailles and to Peace Day
Alexandra Palace and Park during the First World War: further reading
HHS articles
Bulletin 49, 2008, ‘Pictures from the Palace’ (George Kenner’s paintings during Internment 1915 – 16) by Nick McCormick
Bulletin 58, 2017, ‘Music in Alexandra Palace Internment Camp’ by Patrick Hegarty-Morrish [Read more…] about Alexandra Palace and Park during the First World War: further reading
1895: Women’s Football makes its official debut in Hornsey
With all the interest in the current FIFA Women’s World Cup it is satisfying to know that Hornsey hosted the first official women’s football match attended by an enthusiastic crowd of 10,000 spectators. The 23rd March match was between North and South, the North winning 7-1. One of the South team, Emma Clarke, was the first recorded black woman football player. [Read more…] about 1895: Women’s Football makes its official debut in Hornsey
Telling a story of Crouch End using pictures from the HHS archive
This Shared Learning Project with the University of the Third Age (U3A) will produce an exhibition about Crouch End in the past using pictures from the HHS Archive.
[Read more…] about Telling a story of Crouch End using pictures from the HHS archive
Two Faithful Servants’ memorial returns home!
A marble memorial to Mary Parsons and Elizabeth Decker, who were servants to a Hornsey family for 57 and 47 years respectively in the late 18th/early 19th centuries, has been returned to St Mary’s Tower, Hornsey High Street.
[Read more…] about Two Faithful Servants’ memorial returns home!
Wood Green’s Obelisk
Unless you are a frequent traveller along the Bounds Green Road you may not be aware that there is an obelisk in Wood Green. The 20 foot high granite obelisk is located on the grass verge opposite The Prince public house at the corner of Finsbury Road. [Read more…] about Wood Green’s Obelisk