So named as it was built at the turn of the 19th to 20th century.
From Council minutes, on 12th October 1899 building approved by Geo. Pitt for a new road called Century Road with 22 cottages.
This road no longer exists and the site now has flats on the Belgrave Walk estate.
Contents
Photos
Occupants
Maps
Stories
War Connections
Photos
These photos were taken by Eric Montague in 1973, and are reproduced by kind permission of the Merton Historical Society.
Maps
These Ordnance Survey maps are reproduced by permission of the National Library of Scotland, reuse CC-BY.
1953 OS map
1910 OS Map
Occupants from street directories
1911
1, James Thomas PEPPER shopkeeper
2, Mrs CRESSWELL
3, Walter COOMBER
5, Mrs BROADBRIDGE
6, James PAYN
7, George PALMER
8, Anthony CROSSLEY
9, Mrs M. F. CHOULER
10, William WILKS
11, John PROCTOR
12, Mrs REEVES
13, Henry BRYANT
14, George W. CLARE
1925
1, James KIDDELL, grocer
2, Edward KENNETT
3, John Samuel HORNEGOLD
4, George KNIGHT
5, Richard ABREHART
6, John Edward HILLIARD
7, George C. PALMER
8, Fred WOLTON
9, Francis PENDERGAST
10, Cornelius PARKER
11, James B. WOODS
12, Charles WELLER
13, James BRYANT
14, Edward FIELD
Stories
Mitcham Advertiser – Thursday 08 April 1926
MITCHAM DOG OWNERS FINED
Sarah KNIGHT, Century-road, Mitcham, and Doris SANDS, Whyteleafe Hill-road, Mitcham, were fined 5s. each at Croydon on Wednesday for keeping dogs without licenses,
Dog licences were 7s 6d., and were for all dogs except for dogs under six months old, dogs kept solely for tending sheep or cattle on a farm or kept by shepherds, or for those kept for guiding blind persons. Certificates of exemption may be obtained from a petty sessional court for dogs kept solely for these purposes.
Daily Herald – Thursday 28 November 1929
TWO INJURED IN EXPLOSION
Two men were hurt when explosion occurred at experimental kiln on piece of waste ground facing Century-road, Mitcham, yesterday. Fire broke out following the explosion, and firemen were engaged all the afternoon and part the evening in putting out the blaze. The kiln was established a few month ago by the Coal Pulverising Company for experimenting in producing a new smokeless fuel.
From the Mitcham News & mercury, 14th April 1950
Mitcham Will Have Two May Queens Again
THERE will again be two Mitcham May Queens.
Sixteen-years-old Betty CURTIS, Century-road, hopes to-morrow (Saturday) will bring a cloudless, windless, bright and shining morn. Deidre Claydon wants the good weather on May 6.
Betty has been chosen by the Mitcham Merrie England Society as their queen. She was elected in July last year in Beddington Park, by the London organiser of Merrie England, Mrs. L. Atkins. Deidre is candidate-elect of the Mitcham May Festival Society. She was chosen by ballot at the A.G.M. of the Society. Both girls were the Prince Charmings of 1949.
A procession round the Cricket-green begins at 2 p.m. to-morrow. Coronation (Betty’s) takes place at 3 p.m. on the Green. Daphne Duke, sixteen-years-old London May Queen does the crowning and fifty Mitcham children will take part. Band of the 4th East Surrey (Mitcham Methodist) Company, the Boys’ Brigade will supply the music.
While rival Deidre is being crowned by the Mayor of Mitcham on the same Green on May 6, Betty will represent Mitcham under the “Merrie England Festival” scheme in a procession of London May Queens on Hayes Common.
Helen Murphy (aged 15), Hatfield-gardens (Merrie England), and Lorna Tilley (May Festival Society), will be the respective Prince Charmings.
Earlier this week Mrs. Kathleen Williams and last year’s Merrie England Queen, Dorothy Smith, put finishing touches to eighteen new lavender dresses and hats for the children. Some children will wear last year’s dresses.
After Betty’s crowning, Mitcham children taking part will entertain seventy children from the London groups of Merrie England to tea at the British Legion Hall.
A letter to the Evening News (London) – Tuesday 06 May 1952
SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
I HAVE completed more than thirty years’ service as a night worker. Between 1907 and 1920 I spent six-and-a-half years on night duty as a police constable, then I did sixteen years in a factory (with a break of two years), working ten hours a night, seven nights a week. I have spent the last eight years as a night watchman — twelve hours a night — and am still at the job.
F. WOLTON,
Century-road, Mitcham.
From the Mitcham News & Mercury, 6th July 1962
‘NEW’ ROAD HAS BROKEN FLAGSTONES
FOR three years tenants of Century Road, Mitcham, the road known for being “unwanted,” have been campaigning for better conditions. Now they are wondering if they have benefited from the new road recently laid by Mitcham Council.
At the beginning of last year tenants were complaining of “giant slugs and prehistoric beetles” climbing up the walls. The road was full of puddles like swamps and a breeding ground for germs, claimed one tenant at the time.
A spokesman for Leonard Davey and Hart, Fair Green, agents for the landlord of Century Road, said then that there were no plans for making up the road or for the Council to take it over.
The feeling amongst tenants was that neither the landlord nor Mitcham Council wanted the road.
But a fortnight ago Mitcham Council completed laying a proper road with a pavement. The fourteen houses in the road, which were built in 1900, were also given a coat of paint.
Now one of the tenants, Mr. Henry HORNEGOLD, says that already 18 flagstones have been broken. He suspects heavy vehicles are responsible and has complained to the Council about it.
War Connections
Lance Sergeant Frederick PARKER
Unit: 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.
Death: Killed in action on 26 January 1915, aged 25.
He is recorded in the 1911 Census as living at 9 Century Road with his mother, Ellen, and his stepfather, Police Sergeant Herbert Bowles. Although he was already serving in the army and stationed at the Isle of Wight Barracks at times, this was his family’s home address during that period.
Memorial Status: His name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial. He is also commemorated on a specific brass plaque within Mitcham Parish Church.World War II casualty:
Thomas Gordon Palmer (Civilian)
Death: Died on 3 August 1944, aged 45.
He was a resident of 7 Century Road
Details: He was a Fire Guard and died at 123 Pendle Road during the war. As a civilian casualty of WWII, his name is recorded in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission registers.
Minutes of meetings held by the Croydon Rural District Council are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.
