Event    From 1898  To 1960

Columbia Market

In 1852, the area Novia Scotia Gardens being a notorious slum, Angela Burdett-Coutts bought it with the intention of developing healthy accommodation for the poor and a market for their use. However the refuse collector using part of the site had a lease until 1859.  Only then could Coutts could carry out her plan.

She had Columbia Market built as a covered food market with 400 stalls. But for various reasons it was not a success, and after being used as warehouse and workshops the market closed in 1886. Immediately east of the market Coutts also built the residential Columbia Dwellings, completed 1859-62, which had its own swimming pool and baths and a laundry, all designed by Henry Darbishire. The name 'Columbia' was chosen in recognition of the bishopric of British Columbia, founded by Burdett-Coutts in 1857.

Drawings and photos show some impressive buildings, but despite their quality they were condemned in 1958 and demolished in 1960. The modernist tower block Sivill House and other low-rise housing replaced the Coutts buildings. The new streets having names such as Old Market Square and Georgina Gardens.

Both this 1916 map and this 1895 map show the location very well. Using current street names: the development filled the site south of Baroness Road and north of Columbia Road. The market was between the eastern edge of the nursery school and the shortest N-S stump of Baroness Road. The residential blocks filled the space east of this stump of Baroness Road across to the N-S footpath in Ravenscroft Park.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Columbia Market

Commemorated ati

Columbia Market air raid shelter memorial

In memory of those who lost their lives when a bomb penetrated the Columbia M...

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Other Subjects

Prince of Wales pub, Mackenzie Road

Prince of Wales pub, Mackenzie Road

144 Mackenzie Road. This photo dates from the 1930s. Destroyed by a WW2 V2 rocket.

Building, Community / Clubs, Food & Drink, Tragedy

1 memorial
President Hotel

President Hotel

2018: The Imperial Hotel Group includes: London City centre Hotel, County Hotel, President Hotel, Tavistock Hotel, Bedford Hotel, Imperial Hotel.

Group, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial
Act of Parliament - 1751-2 - licensing

Act of Parliament - 1751-2 - licensing

"Licensed pursuant to Act of Parliament of the Twenty fifth of King George the Second." This is a form of words that we have found at three 19th century places of entertainment, two physically and...

Concept, Food & Drink, Law, Music / songs, Theatre

2 memorials
Turk's Head Charity

Turk's Head Charity

From the Picture source website: "The Turk’s Head was bought from the Council and renovated by our charity in 1992. Now it provides a café and affordable workspace and the rental income pays our ch...

Group, Community / Clubs, Food & Drink

2 memorials
New Mermaid Tavern, Mare Street

New Mermaid Tavern, Mare Street

This section of Mare Street was at the time known as Church Street.  The area around was the Mermaid Gardens which were used for balloon flights, amongst other things.  The (old) Mermaid Tavern was...

Building, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial