Brixton history

In the early 19th century, there were hamlets at Brixton Hill and Coldharbour Lane, but otherwise it was mainly uninhabited moor land. After Vauxhall Bridge was constructed in 1816, it became an attractive area for suburban development. Mainly large houses were built for rich city business men. Most of the large houses and gardens were redeveloped after the Second World War. After about 1816, when railway lines arrived, the area was extensively developed with much cheaper housing for the working classes. After the Second World War there was extensive building of council estates. Many of the larger houses were converted into multiple uses. Brixton Prison in Jebb Avenue was built in 1820 to house 175 prisoners (now over 1,000). It was a hard-labour prison and the treadmill was first introduced here. Apart from shortening prisoner’s lives it had the side benefit of grinding corn for the kitchens.