Around and About Sidney Street
Click here to download the Whitechapel Stories booklet
There are stories everywhere you look in the East End. In these two pages, we dip into centuries of history – from the Romans to the present day – around and about Sidney Street.
Several of the storylines contributed by this group are featured in the final artwork: George walking his dog in the park, Sally’s memories of hop-picking on the annual family holiday at Marden, the Wimpy at Watney Market (popular with younger and older alike), and a market trolley that inspired reminiscences of local street markets.
Mile End Gate tollhouse operated until 1866
Whitechapel Mission has been serving the homeless since 1876, offering breakfasts, a day centre and advice.
East End News, 16 Aug 1899
Mann, Crossman & Paulin bottled their beers at warehouses in Raven Row
Before the Silk District housing development was built, archaeological excavations by University College London uncovered glimpses of local life spanning over 2500 years; they found evidence of Bronze Age flintwork, a middle Iron Age settlement, Roman infrastructure, medieval buildings, later brick cellars, and the Red Lion playhouse (1567) – London’s first purpose-built theatrical venue. In the mural, a Roman solider and Elizabethan actor pop up as reminders of the area’s long, rich history.
Born in Sidney Street in 1945, Ray Tabi became London Amateur Boxing Association heavyweight champion. Of Anglo-Nigerian heritage, and trained at the Repton Club, he was a big East End favourite who could sell out York Hall.
In February 1989, an enormous WWII bomb was discovered during building works near Ford Square. On the mural, there’s an unexploded bomb tucked away in Rose Henriques’ imaginary painting.
“A terrace of maisonettes with a curious pattern of exposed staircases” (Pevsner on the Sidney Street flats, built in 1974).
After WWII, four Nissen huts were installed on the bombsite north of Sidney Square, to provide much needed housing.
Looking south down Sidney Street towards Siege House under construction (1965).