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BRIEF HISTORY DURING THE SNOW ERA (1813-58)
The Covent Garden Market was started for the sale of fruits and vegetables in 1656. Originally, it comprised temporary stalls in the garden of Bedford House, home of the Earl of Bedford. Over the years the market became very popular, but also had many complaints from local residents -- excess rubbish at the end the day and too many people. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as other local produce markets closed, the Covent Garden Market took over their customers and prospered. Yet and the noise and congestion also increased, leading to an Act in 1828 for the improvement and regulation of the market place. In the three years thereafter, a new market was designed and built by Charles Fowler, which remained in concept until 1974 when the market was moved to a 64 acre site at Nine Elms, Battersea.
During much of John Snow's life the Covent Garden Market was a lively colorful place where fashionable Londoners liked to mingle with farmers, sellers and flower-girls. On the west side of the market is the parish church of St. Paul's. Besides selling fruits and vegetables from around the world, there was also a floral market to the east, with both exotic and common flowers.
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Sources:
Milton F. Dickens' London, 1903. orter R. London: A Social History, 1994.
Weinreb B, Hibbert C (eds). The London Encyclopaedia, 1993.
Old Market in Early 19th Century
Click here to see 50 years earlier
