THE LOWER POND ON STREATHAM COMMON c1913
A simple post and rail fence surrounded the pond at the western end of Streatham Common in the early 1900s. Although relatively small in size, the pond was very deep and old records reveal that a number of people drowned here over the years.
In days past livestock grazing on the common would quench their thirst at the pond and young children would paddle and swim here in the summer months.
In the winter when the pond froze over, it was a popular site for skating. As can be seen in this view a number of large trees shaded the pond from the heat of the noon-day sun and it provided a picturesque attraction much enjoyed by local residents. In 1939 the pond was filled in by the London County Council and a concrete paddling pond was constructed on the site.
In October 2016 the paddling pond was removed and the site was landscaped to form part of a large children's playground.
(John Brown and photo courtesy Frances Partridge)
