After picking up a signed copy of the 2004ish book by John Coulter and John Seaman on Forest Hill and Sydenham, I became particularly interested in local history on finding out about my first Sydenham house being built on the site of the former Crystal Palace generating station. I went to LMA to seek out old pictures of the station and surrounding streets. The contrast I saw had a major effect on me... I experienced all different emotions and may have even been in tears! I just couldn't believe it... seeing old pictures of upper sydenham was just so incredible--words cannot describe what I was feeling... what a shock to the system! Ever since then I've become more and more interested in local history... Here's a selection of pictures that *almost* made me have a nervous breakdown...
I think I went on a drinking binge after that and kept playing the same track all day long. I'm alright now! It's good thing I've never tried any illegal drugs before... I might have caused myself some serious harm during that time. If anyone else experiences these introduction problems to local history then feel free to PM me for a chat!
I certainly didn't know, as nothing like that has ever happened before in my life. It came all of a sudden when I wasn't expecting it--after seeing those pictures!
This picture--showing doors up against windows as the terrace awaited demolition-was very powerful stuff!
I immediately recognised where they must have stood because of the different ground levels. It looked like a complete alien world that was so close to home. I had no idea and almost broke down. This was the end of my ignorant stage of life and the start of my over-analytical stage... I'm now more of a balanced person.
I'm alright now! 
It's good thing I've never tried any illegal drugs before... I might have caused myself some serious harm during that time. If anyone else experiences these introduction problems to local history then feel free to PM me for a chat!
