Sydenham Town Forum

Thanks Steve! I knew it had to look different in the early days, but couldn't find any photos in either of my Sydenham history books, although they do mention it and the connection with Paxton. I just wondered if the houses were terraced or detached etc. Never expected to see a photo of it--decent q...

Sure thing, Greg... It would be good to tour the museum yourself... However, if I was to guide you on the tour, you might get bored and want to go home early before the crowd even arrives! :D I very rarely complete a guided tour... Last time was about 2 weeks ago--a couple staying at the caravan sit...

I heard this road was developed in the 1850s in honour of the great gardener, but I'm wondering if it looked the same then as it does now? Today, the land is occupied by blocks of flats, but what was the old Paxton Park like..? I don't believe I've seen any photos...

As always, some good info there from Steve Grindlay; thanks mate! I hope to see you on the next walkabout, too. I'm always keen to learn new stuff and discover new parts of Sydenham etc.

Hi Gang,

Everyone ready for this walkabout then? If you'd like to come along, please meet us at the Crystal Palace Museum around 3:45pm? We can leave about 4:00 - 4:15? I look forward to meeting some of you tomorrow, if not, maybe next Sunday...

Welcome to the board, Karen; I'm a fairly new poster, too. I wish I had some ancestors from Sydenham; that way, I would be more encouraged to research the history of the parishes there. I do have a Friend line in my tree, however, from another part of Kent (Sydenham used to actually be a part of Ken...

The Drain you referred to at your 1st house in Sydenham:- I could not see fully down it in the photograph but it looks like a Mains Water Valve. The aperture of the square hole should have a cast iron hinged cover, circa 1900. Later models had a galvanised steel square lid, circa 1950. How old is t...

Rebelmc, glad to have you on board the cabin; thanks for the info on the Domes!

Steve, try clicking the red cross in your web browser to stop the page from loading the photos. But yeah, I'll confirm my attendance for this Sunday's walkabout--over in the other thread--by Saturday evening.

Good luck Juwlz! No wonder you seemed so fit last weekend; a simple walkabout probably doesn't even cause you any perspiration. I should really start doing some light jogging soon, as my heart doesn't feel strong enough for the lower body exercises I've been performing. I was in Exhibition Road, Sou...

No worries, guys! Maybe we can try again next weekend or the weekend after (whenever convenient).

Pat, thanks for the info... still have to check out that triangle... I got your email address.

Greg, I'l give you a call sometime...

annabel mclaren wrote:Falkor - what a fantastic site! Congratulations!

It is--really! I always wanted to see those colour photos...

http://www.rarekungfumovies.com/sydenham/extra1.jpg http://www.rarekungfumovies.com/sydenham/extra2.jpg Beside the new Rose Garden at the bus garage corner of Crystal Palace park, first stop was the "Headless Nympth", which marks the spot where Osler's 27 foot high Crystal Fountain once s...

Greg et al, you guys let us down in a big way! Only Juwlz turned up, but we made the most of it anyway. I thought Greg might have had a hangover or motorcycle accident--I really didn't know to think!? We gave you the benefit of the doubt and waited a bit, but no sign of anyone else. Nevertheless, my...

In case you're unaware, the Crystal Palace Museum have launched a new website as of a couple of weeks ago. With a nice selection of rare photos, including 6 in colour (the only original colour photos ever to be taken inside the palace), it's far superior to the Crystal Palace Foundation's website (i...

One day during my childhood, a friend and I were playing with a tyre at the top of Springfield Rise when both us simultaneously let go of it, and it went rolling down the hill! At the bottom were 2 old ladies chatting in the middle of the road at the junction with Wells Park Road, and we were debati...

Bingo!

Thanks Pat!

Does the 8th circle on the map mark the spot where 66 Longton Grove stood by any chance? This house is mentioned about 5 times in my history books; it was sketched by Pissarro and was decorated with a church spire! Could circle 8 be the one?? Steve? Anyone?

There's a shop at the bottom of Wells Park Road--always with it's shutters down--has been closed for over 20 years! Poking out the front, there's still a small sign reading "Walls", so I assume the building was once an Icecream shop? Anyone remember when it was open?

Can I ask where you get your pictures from and whether or not you have any of other parts of Sydenham or were these pictures taken as they tore the houses down to build the Wells Park Estate? Most pictures can be seen at the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA). The Wells Park estate is on the south ...

Here's a good photo... Halfway through demolition of Rowland Grove--old houses on the right--new houses on the left.