By the early 1700's, Greyhound Lane opposite Streatham Common was a small hamlet consisting of labourers cottages. The focal point was the Greyhound pub, now known as The Rabbit Hole. The area began to change when the innovative Stephen Wilson built a silk mill there in 1820. The mill was the first in Britain to use the Jacquard loom. After a reincarnation as PB Cow's rubber factory which has its own interesting history, the mill survives as part of the Sainsbury's supermarket. It is one of the earliest extant factory buildings in London.
The artist Holland Tringham lived in Westwell Road, and is remembered at the Wetherspoons pub further north on Streatham High Road which bears his name. Another one time resident was actor Roger Moore.
Author - John W Brown
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