It’s believed that Poplar took its name from poplar trees growing in the marsh nearby. It was just a fishing village in mediaeval times. But its closeness by road to London and the fact that the river was deep enough at Blackwall for large ships made it an early centre for ship building. The East India Company built many bit ships from 1600 onwards at Blackwall shipping yard. In the early 19th century many businesses moved to the area as a result of the opening of the East and West India docks, and better road links to London with the building of East India Dock Road and Commercial Road. Initially, businesses were all related to maritime trade. But when the railways arrived in the 1870s, other engineering businesses moved into the area. Housing was constructed for the workers, but the area deteriorated and there was considerable unemployment in the early 20th century. Much of the 19th century housing was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War, and it has been considerably redeveloped since.

Most of the streets north of East India Dock Road are part of the Lansbury Estate, a council estate of houses and flats, much of which is being improved. The best area for homes is south of East India Dock Road around Poplar High Street. There are Victorian terraces in Newby Place and Montague Place, and smaller Victorian houses in Woodstock Terrace. The streets round All Saints station form a conservation area. Non-residential buildings, such as the Mission to Seamen, have been converted into apartments. Poplar High Street itself has blocks of council flats. Further east is an area of huge council blocks near the approach to Blackwall Tunnel.