History Timeline 1900-2025

Cobb’s Department Store Opens

For 70 years or more Cobb’s was perhaps the most prestigious department store in SE London. Read More (in new tab)

Livesey Hall War Memorial

commemorates the fallen of World War 1 and World War 2 who had been employed by the South Suburban Gas Company of London. Wikipedia (in new tab)

Crystal Palace Burns Down

Upper Sydenham Station Closes

Closed on 20 September 1954, the first permanent closure of a Southern Electric line. Wikipedia (in new tab)

Bell Green Gasworks Closes

The site continued as SEGAS HQ until demolished for new retail park. Read More (in new tab)

St Christopher’s Hospice

The first patient was admitted on 13 July 1967 and the official opening followed shortly after on 24 July 1967. Read More (in new tab)

Cobb’s Department Store Closes

Opened in 1902, bombed in 1940 and rebuilt. Read More (in new tab)

Daniel Morgan Unsolved Murder

Killed with an axe in the Golden Lion car park. Stories of police corruption, gangland connections and BBC documentaries. Wikipedia (in new tab)

The Great Sydenham Storm

16th October. Watch video here

The Sydenham Park Panther

In the early hours of 22nd March a man was attacked by a large animal in a garden in Sydenham Park. His scratches were treated by a paramedic at the scene. The media went mad. Read More (in new tab)

Purelake demolishes The Greyhound

Developer stopped, taken to court and forced to rebuild. Read More (in new tab)