Ever wondered where students learned to become teachers? We are standing in Homerton. Homerton is a district in East London. It’s in the London Borough of Hackney. Homerton is bordered by Hackney Central to the west. Lower Clapton is to the north. Hackney Wick and Leyton are to the east. South Hackney is to the south.
Once, Homerton was just a hamlet. It was known as Humberton or Hummerton. The name came from the farm of a woman named Hunburh. It developed along the Hackney Brook. By 1605, Homerton was Hackney’s most populous part. It became a separate parish in 1846.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine medieval Homerton. Most of the land was for sheep and cattle. Milk and cheese were supplied to London. Kitchen gardens sat behind houses. Domestic brewing was common. Some activities were done here that were banned in the city. Tanning and fulling were among them.
During the Tudor period, Homerton became a desirable suburb. Many estates and grand houses were built. The village was divided into Upper and Lower Homerton. In 1538, an estate passed to Sir Ralph Sadler. Around 1560, part of this estate was owned by Thomas Sutton.
Marsh Road led across the marshes. The marshes were prone to flooding. They were mainly used for grazing. A Roman stone causeway was discovered in the 1770s. By 1795, mills were used for preparing lead. This was used to make pigment for lead paint.
In the 18th century, Homerton became a place for institutions. Dissenting Academies were founded here. The Kings Head Society moved here in 1768. It formed Homerton College. It educated Calvinist ministers. Religious education moved to University College London in 1826. However, Homerton College stayed here. It became a teacher training college. In 1896, it moved to Cambridge. It became a full college of Cambridge University in 2010.
Students from Homerton College formed the Glynn Cricket Club in 1881. They also formed Clapton Orient. This became Leyton Orient F.C. The college buildings were rebuilt several times. Sadly, they were lost to bomb damage in World War II.
In the Victorian era, railways came to Homerton. The Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway opened in 1847. This led to the Hackney Brook being placed in a culvert. The mediaeval core of the village was redeveloped. Victorian dwellings and public houses were built. In 1868, Homerton Station opened.
St Barnabas Church on Homerton High Street was built between 1843 and 1852. Arthur Ashpitel designed it. Nikolaus Pevsner called it interesting. He said it was an effort to copy local character. The church was damaged by bombing in 1944. It was restored after World War Two.
The Eastern Fever Hospital was founded in 1870. It aimed to prevent contagion. The buildings were demolished in 1982. The modern Homerton University Hospital opened on the site in 1986. It replaced the old Hackney Hospital.
The railways and the hospital changed Homerton. Wealthier residents moved away. Victorian streets housed clerks and factory workers. From 1937, the London County Council built mass housing. Older buildings with shops were eliminated. This hurt Homerton High Street as a commercial area. The Lesney die cast model factory was built in the 1940s. It produced Matchbox toys.
Today, the oldest surviving residential building is Sutton House. It was built in 1535. The National Trust owns and runs it.
In modern times, Homerton has seen changes. Glam rock singer Marc Bolan was born in Hackney Hospital. Toe Rag Studios relocated here. The White Stripes recorded their album “Elephant” there.
Homerton is also home to Chats Palace arts centre. It is named after Chatsworth Road. The building was originally a Carnegie library. The council closed the library in 1976. The community reclaimed it.
Homerton has a rich history. It has evolved over centuries. From a rural hamlet to a center of education and culture. Homerton has played a significant role in London’s story. Its prospects continue to brighten.