Chiswick was originally formed from five separate areas. The area surrounding St. Nicholas’ Church known as Old Chiswick, a small fishing village known as Strand-on-the-Green, an area known as Turnham Green that runs along the main road to the west of England, and the area around Sutton Manor known as Little Sutton. Chiswick also includes the area along the border with Hammersmith known as Stamford Brook.

Chiswick derived its name from the Old English, and translates to “cheese farm”. For many years, through the 18th century, many of the farms in the area hosted an annual fair that centred on the cheese industry of the area. The fair is thought to have taken place in the area known as Dukes Meadows.

During the early days of the village, Chiswick built many industries based on its proximity to the water. These included fishing, boat building and providing transportation for people as well as goods along the water. The close proximity to the water also meant that willow trees were in abundance. The supple limbs of the willow branches were ideal for baskets, so basket making was another prominent trade.

Farming was also an important industry in Chiswick, and the barley grown here was considered especially fine. This led to the development of the brewing industry in the town. Two breweries, the Griffen, established in 1701, and the Lamb, in 1790 added to the town’s prosperity.

As Chiswick continued to flourish through the 16th century, many people who had made their fortune in London saw the benefit of relocating to the area. Mansions were built on estates in the town as early as 1412. Charles II had a home in Chiswick, purchased for his son. Historystates that his mistress also spent time in the town.

Chiswick continued to be seen as a modern and growing area, and many notable people had homes in the area. Alexander Pope, a noted poet, lived in the area for a while. Johann Zoffany, an artist, rented a home in the area as well. Scholar Dr. William Rose was the director of a school in the town for three decades.

When the railway came to the area, there was a dramatic increase in the population of Chiswick. In one 60 year span the population doubled. By the end of the 1800s, over 20,000 people lived in the town. This population growth meant a sudden and dramatic need for more schools and housing. Several housing developments were built, including Chiswick New Town and Bedford Park. The increased population growth also led to the need for police stations, a library, fire station, sewage treatment facility and newspaper.

Of course, the working class people that were relocating to Chiswick could not do so without the promise of jobs. Thornycroft and Co set up shop by the river and began building large watercraft, such as torpedo boats. A wallpaper factory opened up in the area. Frederick Walton soon had a burgeoning business on his hands when he developed linoleum in 1861.

Although the majority of the new residents of Chiswick were working class, there were still plenty of people with money in the town. They stayed entertained with cricket and tennis clubs, concerts and balls. Given the areas proximity to two prominent breweries, it should come as no surprise that there were ample pubs in the area as well.

By the dawn of the 20th century Chiswick was moving rapidly into modernization. The first electric tram left for London from Chiswick. A hospital, new school and three cinemas all added a modern flair to the town. During World War I, Chiswick managed to remain a safe area, with only three bombs being dropped in the area during the war.

After the war, the Duke of Devonshire began to sell some of the land his family had accumulated over the years. The lands were sold for public use, some as playing areas, and others as historical sites. During this time, the infrastructure of the area was improved as well, with Chiswick Bridge built over the Thames and several new roads built in the area.

World War II was not as kind to Chiswick as the First World War. In the autumn of 1940; the town was hit with bombs nearly every night. Chiswick had the dubious honour of being the first place where a V2 rocket, launched by the Germans, exploded. The powerful rocket left a crater over nine meters wide. After the war, substantial work was needed to repair the roads in town.

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