ABSTRACT
The rural tranquillity of the area was shattered in 1761 with the construction of City Road, which, for the first time, linked the City directly with Islington and beyond. Until the 18th century, the only road connecting Islington with the City of London was St John’s Street. By 1838 the infirmary needed more space. It first moved to Charterhouse Square and then in 1853 to a fine new, three-storey, Italianate building designed by John Wallen. In 1896 the hospital expanded to the rear of the original building. During World War I, the hospital purchased the neighbouring Congregational Chapel, and in 1926 built the wing that constitutes the left-hand side of the building. The importance of making water publicly available, given the inadequate or non-existent supply in many people’s homes, can be seen a few metres further on, having crossed Central Street, where there is one of the original granite cattle troughs installed by Metropolitan Water Fountain & Cattle Trough Association.
