Bradford Fords, an area known for its orchards and vegetable beds in the 18th century, was irrigated by Stamford Brook. The early 19th century saw the beginning of urbanisation, with people moving in and pubs opening on King Street. The arrival of the Hammersmith & City Railway in 1864 greatly accelerated development.
Bricks from Cambridge Grove were used in the construction of housing, churches, businesses and schools. By 1890, the streetscape of Bradford Fords was almost entirely developed, with the once rural landscape transformed into an urban neighbourhood.
The newly created streets were designed to cater to the growing number of lower middle-class and middle-class families settling in the area. The expansion of business and industrial undertakings in the vicinity necessitated a larger workforce, including clerks, bookkeepers, storekeepers, tradespeople and sub-contractors. Additionally, relatively new occupations, such as elementary school teachers, were emerging and finding homes in these developing neighbourhoods.
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Carthew Road was originally part of Bradford Fords
