History and heritage
Earlsdon Crossroads, 1885
In 1851, following the boom in the watchmaking trade, 30 acres of prime farm land was bought by Coventry Freehold Land Society. This continued to spread from 1853 into what is now Earlsdon.
Even after the decline of the watchmaking industry, Earlsdon continued to expand into one of the most favourable residential districts around Coventry.
Earlsdon was incorporated into the City in 1890 but was still almost cut off from it. It was not until 1897, when Albany Road was opened, that development gained pace. The City tramway system was extended along the Butts up Albany Road into the main shopping area which quickly grew.
Albany Road
By 1918, the area was fully developed as it is today and, with little redevelopment, Earlsdon has kept much of its original character.
(Source: Albert Smith and David Fry, The Coventry We Have Lost, Simanda Press, Berkswell 1991)
A number of publications about the history of Earlsdon are available from the Earlsdon Society/ERG.
A more detailed look at the
history of Earlsdon,
including the Earlsdon picture gallery.
People
- Leon Forrestier
- Arthur Hutt VC
- Charles Correlli Johnson
- Frank Whittle
- Earlsdon Faces
- Earlsdon Residents from the 1891 Census
Places
- Astoria Cinema
- Earlsdon Jetty
- Earlsdon Library
- Earlsdon School
- Hearsall Common
- Old Methodist Chapel
- Spencer Park
- Albany Road Railway Bridge
- Earlsdon Avenue Railway Bridge
- Kenilworth Road Conservation Area
Local history and heritage organisations and contacts
The Earlsdon Area of Local Distinctiveness Group formed in
2005 to preserve the local distinctiveness of the Earlsdon area.
The Earlsdon Research Group, which grew out of the Earlsdon Society, to further historical research of the Earlsdon area.
If you have an interest in tracing your family's history in Coventry, the Coventry Family History Society is a group that can help. You can also enter your interests in the Earlsdon Family History Register. Other contacts you might find useful are the Coventry Archives, Pictures of Coventry, the Coventry pages, Historic Coventry and information on the local history courses run by Warwick University.