This paper examines in detail the first generation of inhabitants of the estate, drawing principally on the census returns for 1871.

Park Town consisted of several thousand substantial houses which – as originally planned in the early 1860s – it had been hoped would be occupied by middle class families attracted both by low prices and by open spaces such as Battersea Park or Clapham Common. In the event, the construction of railway viaducts, embankments and railway repair works later in the decade made this part of Battersea much less desirable for middle class residence. By 1871 a majority of houses had been subdivided into two or three dwelling units, and the population had come to resemble that on more humbly conceived neighbouring estates, with 70% of household heads being in skilled manual or non-manual occupations.

Home /Lectures /Conferences /Publications /Archives /Benefits of membership /Links