Street names in Forest Gate record a wealth of English history: literary figures, politicians and many others. Some roads bear the names of royal residencies or great houses. Still others record place names across the UK. A few recall more ancient local topographical features.

Forest Gate itself derives its name from a gate leading into Epping Forest, erected to prevent cattle straying from the Forest into the High Road. It was located close to the Eagle & Child public House. It never was a toll gate, and was demolished along with the keepers' cottage, in 1881. (A 'forest' is a royal hunting reserve, it will, of course, contain trees; any standing timber should more properly be referred to as a 'wood' or 'woodland').

The list is not exhaustive but it does give an indication of the breadth of street-naming as housing estates were developed in the 19^th and early 20^th Century. Sometimes a plot of land would be bought and houses built on it - the developer simply naming roads after their own place of origin.

 Literary Figures.

CHAUCER - Geoffrey, "the father of English poetry" and author who held various post under the King (1340?-1400).

COLERIDGE, Samuel Taylor, poet, philosopher and critic (1772-1834).

DUNBAR, William, Scottish poet "unrivalled in Scotland" and Franciscan Friar (c1460-c1520).

GOWER, probably John, poet and contemporary of Chaucer (c1325-1408).

HORACE, Quintus Horatius Flaccus. Roman poet and author of satires and letters (65-8 BC).

SKELTON, John, English poet of Diss, Norfolk (c1460-1529).

Statesmen and Politicians.

This building at 185 Romford Road was Clark's (Private) High Schools For Girls, and a Kindergarten & Preparatory Class for Little Boys, Forest Gate Branch. (photo taken in 1928)

In 1904 there were 13 private schools in West Ham classed as Secondary this included Forest Gate collegiate school for girls, Romford Road, founded in 1874. 

Later this school was taken over by Clark's. In 1918 it was one of 11 private schools in the borough recognized by the Board of Education. This building was demolished in 1935. By 1939 hardly any private schools survived, but in 1941 Clark's were still in Romford Road Forest Gate, but at no328, the Principal at this time was Ernest G.V. Clark.

There is also a photo of Clarks girls in 1910 on this site.

Photo:Newham Heritage & Archives   

 

Aerial view of factory and streets in Forest Gate.

 In 1897 the Woodgrange Estate celebrated its 20^th anniversary in, here is a report from the Forest Gate Weekly News, 9th April that year.