Alexander Avenue, NW10

Alexander Avenue was laid out in the mid 1930s.

The area which lay between Kensal Rise and Willesden was extremely late in being developed. But the last area of all was bounded by Peter Avenue, Chambers Lane and Donnington Road.

From the 1870s George Furness’ Grange Brick and Tile Works had been operating on Chambers Lane, supplying bricks and tiles for the building industry in the area, and employing many residents. George Furness bought large plots of land in the area which were developed from pasture land into residential premises, providing houses, roads and drainage.

The plant manufactured high quality durable red bricks and cheaper brown stock bricks. Many are still housing Willesden residents (for example, some houses in Ashford Road, Cedar Road, Cricklewood Broadway Harlesden Road, Ivy Road, Larch Road, Lonstone Terrace Mora Road, Pine Road and Taylors Lane).

Amongst other factors which caused the Furness works to close was the lack of demand from the area, having been fully built up apart from the brickworks.

The demise of the Furness plant meant that the final roads in the Willesden streetscape could be built. Among them was Alexander Avenue. NW10.

Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence

ADD A STORY TO ALEXANDER AVENUE

Do you come from Alexander Avenue, NW10, or know it well? Tell your story here.

Ensure that contributions are kept civilised and are not abusive.

We store your comment's IP address and reserve the right to apply bans where community standards are violated.

If you authorise our The Undeground Map Facebook app by clicking the Facebook logo at the top right of the screen, you can add stories, photos and more to this location.
Note that the Undeground Map Facebook app does not post to Facebook on your behalf.

Paul Shepherd

Added: 16 Jan 2018 15:21 GMT

IP: 90.255.234.91

2:1:34188

Post by Paul Shepherd: Chamberlayne Road, NW10

i lived in Rainham Rd in the 1960?s. my best friends were John McCollough and Rosalind Beevor. it was a good time to be there but local schools were not good and i got out before it went to a real slum. i gather it?s ok now.

Maria Russ

Added: 7 Dec 2017 09:46 GMT

IP: 47.72.255.177

2:2:34188

Post by Maria Russ: Middle Row Bus Garage

My mum worked as a Clippie out from Middle Row Bus Garage and was conductress to George Marsh Driver. They travel the City and out to Ruislip and Acton duiring the 1950’s and 1960’s. We moved to Langley and she joined Windsor Bus Garage and was on the Greenline buses after that. It was a real family of workers from Middle Row and it formed a part of my early years in London. I now live in New Zealand, but have happy memories of the early years of London Transport and Middle Row Garage.
Still have mum’s bus badge.

Happy times they were.

Debbie hobbs

Added: 19 Sep 2017 09:08 GMT

IP: 92.40.89.28

2:3:34188

Post by Debbie hobbs : Raymede Street, W10

I SUPPLIED THE PICTURE ABOVE GIVEN TO TOM VAGUE TO PASS ON... ITS DATE IS C1906 ..IN THE DISTANCE IS RACKHAM STREET WITH ITS MISSION HALL, HEWER STREET TO THE RIGHT

LDNnews

Added: 17 Jul 2018 15:40 GMT

IP:

3:4:34188

Post by LDNnews: Dollis Hill
’They’re coming to get me’: troubled student who killed an academic
’They’re coming to get me’: troubled student who killed an academic

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/17/femi-nandap-troubled-student-killed-academic

LDNnews

Added: 17 Jul 2018 01:00 GMT

IP:

3:5:34188

Post by LDNnews: Willesden Junction

Sophie Turner reveals a fresh new tattoo on her left bicep

The Game of Thrones actress, 22, debuted the new design, a series of parallel lines interconnecting to form a crude pyramid, on her left bicep.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5958033/Sophie-Turner-reveals-fresh-new-tattoo-left-bicep.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
’ target=’new’>
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5958033/Sophie-Turner-reveals-fresh-new-tattoo-left-bicep.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

LDNnews

Added: 16 Jul 2018 17:40 GMT

IP:

3:6:34188

Post by LDNnews: Dollis Hill
Tube station renamed Gareth Southgate after World Cup run
Tube station renamed Gareth Southgate after World Cup run

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/16/tube-station-renamed-gareth-southgate-after-england-world-cup-run

LDNnews

Added: 16 Jul 2018 15:27 GMT

IP:

3:7:34188

Post by LDNnews: Aldwych
Admiral Mews, W10
Admiral Mews is a small road off Barlby Road, W10.

http://www.theundergroundmap.com/article.html?id=34670

LDNnews

Added: 16 Jul 2018 11:30 GMT

IP:

3:8:34188

Post by LDNnews: Willesden Junction
Manchester United's Paul Pogba teases England fans with 'it's coming home' jibe following France World Cup win
France and Manchester United midfielder has often been criticised for his posts on social media in and around changing rooms, but when you’ve just been crowned a world champion you’re entitled to do what you want in celebration.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/manchester-uniteds-paul-pogba-teases-england-fans-with-its-coming-home-jibe-following-france-world-a3888231.html

LDNnews

Added: 15 Jul 2018 17:40 GMT

IP:

3:9:34188

Post by LDNnews: Dollis Hill
Grace Jackson obituary
Grace Jackson, who has died aged 92, was an outstanding social worker who became director of the London Boroughs Training Committee, which educated social workers in the capital.Grace was born in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), to Reuben Jackson, a prison governor in the colonial civil service, and his wife, Doris (nee Davison). In 1947 Grace came to Britain on her own so that she could study at the Edinburgh School of Chiropody. She practised chiropody for some years in Liverpool, Bristol and Canterbury, but in the 1950s was sponsored by the Home Office to become a probation officer. We met in 1956, and remained friends from then onwards. Continue reading...

https://www.theguardian.com/society

Message truncated Show whole message

LDNnews

Added: 15 Jul 2018 01:00 GMT

IP:

3:10:34188

Post by LDNnews: Willesden Junction

Boris Becker in alleged domestic dispute with wife at Wimbledon home

Boris Becker in alleged domestic dispute with wife at Wimbledon home

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5951835/Boris-Becker-alleged-domestic-dispute-estranged-wife-Wimbledon-home.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
’ target=’new’>
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5951835/Boris-Becker-alleged-domestic-dispute-estranged-wife-Wimbledon-home.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

LDNnews

Added: 15 Jul 2018 00:40 GMT

IP:

3:11:34188

Post by LDNnews: Dollis Hill
Union leader attacked after counter-protest to Tommy Robinson rally
Union leader attacked after counter-protest to Tommy Robinson rally

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/14/police-tell-trump-supporters-not-to-gather-at-us-embassy

LDNnews

Added: 14 Jul 2018 19:00 GMT

IP:

3:12:34188

Post by LDNnews: Dollis Hill
Supporters of the English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson gathered in Whitehall on Saturday. The protesters are calling for him to be released from prisonTwo people arrested at pro-Tommy Robinson protests in London Continue reading...
Supporters of the English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson gathered in Whitehall on Saturday. The protesters are calling for him to be released from prisonTwo people arrested at pro-Tommy Robinson protests in London Continue reading...

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2018/jul/14/thousands-of-tommy-robinson-supporters-gather-in-london-video

LDNnews

Added: 14 Jul 2018 06:00 GMT

IP:

3:13:34188

Post by LDNnews: Willesden Junction
Donald Trump baby balloon: Protesters refused permission to fly US president baby blimp in Scotland
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Parliament said it "would not be appropriate use of the Parliament’s grounds."

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/protesters-refused-permission-to-fly-trump-baby-balloon-in-scotland-a3887181.html

LDNnews

Added: 14 Jul 2018 00:40 GMT

IP:

3:14:34188

Post by LDNnews: Dollis Hill

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gallery/2018/jul/13/london-trump-protesters-in-portraits

LDNnews

Added: 13 Jul 2018 17:20 GMT

IP:

3:15:34188

Post by LDNnews: Dollis Hill
Women lead day of angry London protests against Donald Trump
Women lead day of angry London protests against Donald Trump

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/13/women-lead-day-of-angry-london-protests-against-donald-trump

LDNnews

Added: 13 Jul 2018 04:40 GMT

IP:

3:16:34188

Post by LDNnews: Willesden Junction
I'm not going to be the one who dies tonight: What axe burglar told his victim
A teacher today told of her terror after a burglar burst into her home while she was sleeping and threatened her with an axe .

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/axe-burglar-told-his-victim-i-m-not-going-to-be-the-one-who-dies-tonight-a3885591.html

	VIEW THE WILLESDEN AREA IN THE 1750s The 1750 Rocque map is bounded by Sudbury (NW), Snaresbrook (NE), Eltham (SE) and Hampton Court (SW). Outside these bounds, the 1750 map does not display.
	VIEW THE WILLESDEN AREA IN THE 1800s The 1800 mapping is bounded by Stanmore (NW), Woodford (NE), Bromley (SE) and Hampton Court (SW). Outside these bounds, the 1800 map does not display.
	VIEW THE WILLESDEN AREA IN THE 1830s The 1830 mapping is bounded by West Hampstead (NW), Hackney (NE), Greenwich (SE) and Chelsea (SW). Outside these bounds, the 1830 map does not display.
	VIEW THE WILLESDEN AREA IN THE 1860s The 1860 mapping is bounded by Brent Cross (NW), Stratford (NE), Greenwich (SE) and Hammermith (SW). Outside these bounds, the 1860 map does not display.
	VIEW THE WILLESDEN AREA IN THE 1900s The 1900 mapping covers all of the London area.

Willesden

Willesden before it was absorbed by London, was the most populous borough in Middlesex.

The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon Willesdune, meaning the "Hill of the Spring" and a settlement bearing this name dates back to 939 AD.

Willesden was bounded on the north-east by the Roman Watling Street, later Edgware Road, on the north and west by the river Brent, and on the south-east by the Kilburn brook. An ancient track, some of it forming part of Harrow Road and Kilburn Lane, marked most of the southern boundary. The soil is mostly heavy and poorly drained clay, probably once covered by thick oak forest and well-adapted to the grass farming that characterised the area from the 18th century.

From the 14th to 16th centuries, the town was a place of pilgrimage due to the presence of two ancient statues of the Virgin Mary at the Church of St Mary. One of these statues is thought to be a Black Madonna, which was insulted by the Lollards, taken to Thomas Cromwell’s house and burnt in 1538 on a large bonfire of "notable images" including those of Walsingham, Worcester and Ipswich. There was also a "holy well" which was thought to possess miraculous qualities, particularly for blindness and other eye disorders.

The river Brent, running from north-east to south-west, flooded frequently. It was dammed between 1835 and 1839 to form the Welsh Harp along the northern boundary, but although the reservoir and feeders to the canal reduced the Brent it remained capable of serious flooding. The principal tributary of the Brent in Willesden was the Mitchell brook which entered the Brent north of Stonebridge and was itself formed from two tributaries. The northern branch, called the Sherrick or Slade brook, rose near Edgware Road at Cricklewood and flowed through Sherrick green where it was joined by a stream flowing northwards from Willesden Green. The southern branch rose south of Willesden Green and flowed west and north through the open fields. South-east of the Brondesbury ridge the land drained into the Kilburn brook, also known as West Bourne, Ranelagh Sewer, or Bayswater rivulet.

The parish of Willesden remained predominantly rural up until 1875, when its population was 18,500. However, this changed with the opening of the Metropolitan Railway (later the Metropolitan line) station of Willesden Green on 24 November 1879. By 1906 the population had grown to 140,000, a phenomenon of rapid growth that was to be repeated in the 1920s in neighbouring areas such as Harrow. The Metropolitan line service was withdrawn in 1940, when the station was served by the Bakerloo line, and later the Jubilee line.

Willesden became an urban district in 1894 and a municipal borough in 1933. In 1965, it joined Wembley and Kingsbury in the London Borough of Brent.

World War I caused Willesden to change from a predominantly middle class suburb to a working class part of London. After the war, Willesden grew rapidly as many factories opened up with numerous flats and houses. The local council encouraged building to prevent large unemployment and decline. To the present day, Willesden has been shaped by the patterns of migration which marks it out as one of the most diverse areas in the United Kingdom. City of London Corporation records show that the first black person recorded in Brent was Sarah Eco, who was christened in St. Mary’s Church in Willesden on 15 September 1723. The 1901 United Kingdom census recorded that 42% of the population was born in London. In 1923, the specialist coach builder Freestone and Webb established their base in Willesden, producing bespoke cars on Rolls-Royce and Bentley chassis until 1956.

LOCATIONS ON THE UNDERGROUND MAP

Bramley's Farm:   Willesden Farm was also known as Bramley's Farm locally.
Capital City Academy:   Academy sponsor led (Secondary) which accepts students between the ages of 11 and 18. Admissions policy: Comprehensive (secondary).
College Green School and Services:   Local authority nursery school (Nursery) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 5.
Convent of Jesus and Mary RC Infant School:   Voluntary aided school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 7.
Donnington Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Dudden Hill Farm:   Duddenhill (Duddinghill) Farm lay on Dudden Hill Lane north of Willesden.
Gladstone Park Primary School:   Academy sponsor led (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Hodgson's Farm:   Hodgson's Farm stood nearly at today's meetingpoint of Chapter Road and Park Avenue.
Kenmont Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Kensal Green:   Kensal Green, site of England's oldest cemetary still in use.
Kensal Rise Library:   Kensal Rise Library was a public library opened by American author Mark Twain.
Princess Frederica CofE Primary School:   Voluntary aided school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Princess Frederica School:   Princess Frederica School on the corner of College Road and Purves Road, NW10.
St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Junior School:   Voluntary aided school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 7 and 11.
Treetops Children’s Centre:   This is a children’s centre.
Willesden:   Willesden before it was absorbed by London, was the most populous borough in Middlesex.
Willesden Farm:   Willesden Farm was otherwise known as Bramley's Farm.
Willesden Green Farm:   Willesden Green Farm, owned by All Souls College, Oxford, was south of the High Road, opposite Willesden Farm.

PHOTOS OF THE AREA

Harrow Road, Kensal Green (1900s): The corner of Ravensworth Road and Harrow Road in NW10.

NEARBY STREETS AND BUILDINGS ON THE UNDERGROUND MAP

Acland Road, NW2 · Alexander Avenue, NW10 · All Souls Avenue, NW10 · Alma Place, NW10 · Alverstone Road, NW2 · Amery Gardens, NW10 · Ashburnham Road, NW10 · Balmoral Road, NW2 · Bathurst Gardens, NW10 · Belton Road, NW2 · Brondesbury Park, NW10 · Brondesbury Park, NW2 · Bryan Avenue, NW10 · Buchanan Gardens, NW10 · Burrows Road, NW10 · Chambers Lane, NW10 · Chambers Lane, NW2 · Chandos Road, NW2 · Chanin Mews, NW2 · Chapter Road, NW2 · Chelmsford Square, NW10 · Churchill Road, NW2 · Colin Road, NW10 · College Road, NW10 · Cornwall Gardens, NW10 · Cranhurst Road, NW2 · Cross Way, NW10 · Cullingworth Road, NW10 · Cumberland House, NW10 · Dean Road, NW10 · Dicey Avenue, NW2 · Dobree Avenue, NW10 · Donnington Road, NW10 · Doyle Gardens, NW10 · Earlsmead Road, NW10 · Egerton Gardens, NW10 · Ellesmere Road, NW10 · Elvis Road, NW2 · Felixstowe Road, NW10 · Fleetwood Road, NW10 · Fortune Gate Road, NW10 · Furness Road, NW10 · Gardiner Avenue, NW2 · Gay Close, NW2 · Geary Road, NW10 · Gowan Road, NW10 · Grange Road, NW10 · Greyhound Road, NW10 · Griffin Close, NW10 · Grove Road, NW2 · Hanover Road, NW10 · Hanover West, NW10 · Harcourt House, NW10 · Hardinge Road, NW10 · Harlesden Road, NW10 · Hawthorn Road, NW10 · Haycroft Gardens, NW10 · Hazel Road, NW10 · Heathfield Park, NW2 · Helena Road, NW10 · Henson Avenue, NW2 · Herbert Gardens, NW10 · High Road, NW2 · Hiley Road, NW10 · Holberton Gardens, NW10 · Holland Road, NW10 · Huddlestone Road, NW2 · Irwin Gardens, NW10 · James Avenue, NW2 · Jeymer Avenue, NW2 · Kendal Road, NW10 · Kendal Road, NW2 · Kenmont Gardens, NW10 · Kenneth Crescent, NW2 · Kenneth Cresent, NW2 · Kings Road, NW10 · Lechmere Road, NW2 · Leigh Gardens, NW10 · Leighton Gardens, NW10 · Lennon Road, NW2 · Letchford Gardens, NW10 · Letchford Mews, NW10 · Liddell Gardens, NW10 · Linacre Road, NW10 · Linacre Road, NW2 · Lushington Road, NW10 · Marley Walk, NW2 · Maybury Gardens, NW10 · Melrose Avenue, NW2 · Monson Road, NW10 · Napier Road, NW10 · Oman Avenue, NW2 · Osborne Road, NW2 · Park Avenue North, NW10 · Park Avenue, NW2 · Parkfield Road, NW10 · Peter Avenue, NW10 · Phillimore Gardens, NW10 · Plough Close, NW10 · Ponsard Road, NW10 · Purves Road, NW10 · Queens Parade, NW2 · Ravensworth Road, NW10 · Regency Mews, NW10 · Regency Street, NW10 · Riffel Road, NW2 · Rigeley Road, NW10 · Robson Avenue, NW10 · Rowan House, NW10 · Rowdon Avenue, NW10 · Saint Pauls Avenue, NW2 · Sandringham Road, NW2 · Sapcote Trading Centre, NW10 · Sherrick Green Road, NW10 · Sidmouth Parade, NW2 · Sidmouth Road, NW2 · Sneyd Road, NW2 · St Andrews Road, NW10 · St Margaret’s Road, NW10 · St Margaret’s Road, BR3 · St Pauls Avenue, NW2 · St. Pauls Avenue, NW2 · Staverton Road, NW2 · Strode Road, NW10 · Tracey Avenue, NW2 · Trenmar Gardens, NW10 · Trevelyan Gardens, NW10 · Tudor Mews, NW10 · Uffington Road, NW10 · Utopia House, NW10 · Valliere Road, NW10 · Victor Road, NW10 · Villiers Road, NW10 · Waldo Road, NW10 · Waterford Way, NW10 · Whitmore Gardens, NW10 · Windmill Court, NW2 · Windsor Road, NW2 · Wren Avenue, NW2 · Wrottesley Road, NW10 ·

	Dollis Hill Facebook Page
	Kensal Green Facebook Page
	Willesden Green Facebook Page
	Hidden London Historically inclined look at the capital’s obscure attractions
	Londonist All-encompassing website
	British History Online Digital library of key printed primary and secondary sources.
	Time Out Listings magazine

	Land ownership in Willesden (1823) FREE DOWNLOAD Map of land ownership in the Willesden area in 1823 City of London Corporation
	John Rocque Map of Hampstead (1762). John Rocque (c. 1709–1762) was a surveyor, cartographer, engraver, map-seller and the son of Huguenot émigrés. Roque is now mainly remembered for his maps of London. This map dates from the second edition produced in 1762. London and his other maps brought him an appointment as cartographer to the Prince of Wales in 1751. His widow continued the business after his death. The map of Hampstead covers an area stretching from the edge in the northwest of present-day Dollis Hill to Islington in the southeast. John Rocque, The Strand, London
	Environs of London (1832) FREE DOWNLOAD Engraved map. Hand coloured. Relief shown by hachures. A circle shows "Extent of the twopenny post delivery." Chapman and Hall, London
	London Underground Map (1921). FREE DOWNLOAD London Underground map from 1921. London Transport
	The Environs of London (1865). FREE DOWNLOAD Prime meridian replaced with "Miles from the General Post Office." Relief shown by hachures. Map printed in black and white. Published By J. H. Colton. No. 172 William St. New York
	London Underground Map (1908). FREE DOWNLOAD London Underground map from 1908. London Transport
	Ordnance Survey of the London region (1939) FREE DOWNLOAD Ordnance Survey colour map of the environs of London 1:10,560 scale Ordnance Survey. Crown Copyright 1939.
	Outer London (1901) FREE DOWNLOAD Outer London shown in red, City of London in yellow. Relief shown by hachures. Stanford's Geographical Establishment. London : Edward Stanford, 26 & 27, Cockspur St., Charing Cross, S.W. (1901)

Willesden

Links

Maps