Epping Forest Chronology
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1801 - 1900 AD
1816
Rector Francis Tutte of Sheering gives
money to provide for educating twelve poor girls of Sheering to read,
spell and sew.
1824
Thomas Leverton dies. The Leverton
Charity School for 20 poor boys and 20 poor girls is established under
the terms of his will.
1837
James Paul Andre paints views of the
District.
1851
New National School for Boys and Girls
built in the Street, Sheering.1852
Old Market House in Waltham Abbey
demolished.1856
Railway comes to Buckhurst Hill; houses
are built on forest and farmland on new roads around the station
1858
The firm of William Cottis and Sons is
founded in Epping. They become famous the world over for the quality
and range of goods, especially agricultural tools, that they make.
1860
Thomas Willingale of Loughton saves the
people there from loosing their lopping rights (to cut and take wood
from the forest). He knew what had happened in Waltham Abbey in 1641
and made sure that everyone left the feast to go and cut wood at
midnight on 11th November to preserve their rights to do so1861
A new National School with accommodation
for 500 pupils is built in St John’s Road, Epping. An inspector
reported a year later that the buildings were among the best he’d
ever seen1865
London to Ongar Railway opens.1867
The death rate in Epping is the highest
in Essex owing to poor sanitary conditions which allowed diseases such as
cholera and typhoid to spread. Local Doctor Joseph Clegg led the campaign
to improve this, but it took another 20 years before work began1872
First sewerage works for Waltham Abbey
opened at Town Mead.1876
Police station opens in Sun Street,
Waltham Abbey.1878
Water pumps for public use installed
around Waltham Abbey.
1882
Queen Victoria visits High Beach and
dedicates Epping Forest to the use and enjoyment of the people.
1888
Mains water comes to Waltham Abbey.1890
First proper road built between Buckhurst
Hill and Chigwell; previously there was just a track and ford over the
river, which followed the line of Lower Queen’s Road.
1893
The artist Lucien Pissarro lives in
Hemnall Street, Epping and paints this view, called ‘The Garden’.
1895
Diptheria outbreak in Upshire results
in the death of eleven children.
1901 - 2000 AD
1916
Up to 90 bombs dropped around Waltham
Abbey in a Zeppelin raid on 2 April.1917
Copped Hall gutted by fire. Only the
shell of the building remains.1923
Waltham Abbey Fire Brigade purchase
their first motorised fire engine.1935
Private airfield opened at Abridge,
later taken over by the RAF in the Second World War.1939
Upshire School opens.
1945
V2 Rocket falls on Highbridge Street on
7 March. Five people were killed, the first civilian casualties of the
Second World War in Waltham Abbey.
1945
New housing estate begins to be built in
Debden by London County Council.1951
Electricity supply laid to Bobbingworth.1952
Quaker Lane Schools in Waltham Abbey
reorganised as King Harold Secondary School and Waltham Holy Cross Primary
School.1958
A new county primary school opens in Hyde
Mead, Nazeing.1968
Waltham Holy Cross Primary School moves
from Quaker Lane to Quendon Drive. Last funfair held in Waltham Abbey
after nearly 800 years.1971
Leverton School opens in Honey Lane.
1977
Cattle Market in Romelands, Waltham Abbey
closes for the last time.
1980
M11 London to Cambridge motorway completed,
cutting the District in half.1981
Epping Forest District Museum opens at
39 - 41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey.1984
Epping Forest District Council
plant a line of trees across the District to commemorate the 100th anniversary
of the Meridian Line (zero degrees longitude).1993
Mosaic trail installed in Waltham Abbey
from the museum, via the Abbey Church to Lea Valley Park.1999
At midnight, a beacon designed by the
pupils of King Harold School is lit to celebrate the new millennium.