Everton, Liverpool
Everton | ||
---|---|---|
Metropolitan county | ||
Region | ||
Country | England | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom | |
Post town | LIVERPOOL | |
Postcode district | L3, L5, L6 | |
Dialling code | 0151 | |
Police | Merseyside | |
Fire | Merseyside | |
Ambulance | North West | |
UK Parliament | ||
Everton is a district of north
Toponymy
The name Everton is derived from the
History
Everton is an ancient settlement and, like Liverpool, was one of the six unnamed
Until the late 18th century Everton was a small rural parish of Walton-on-the-Hill, but the rise in prosperity of nearby Liverpool pushed its wealthier merchants towards Everton and further afield. The population of the township experienced significant growth during this period. By 1769, the population had risen to 253 individuals, reaching 370 by 1790, 499 by 1801, and 913 by 1811. A record of citizens from 1815 reveals a substantial change in the character of the township, with a disproportionately large number of its population listed as merchants or gentlemen not engaged in trade.[8] Writing of this period in 1869, James Stonehouse recalled that 'Fifty years ago Everton was a courtly place, wherein resided the richest merchants, the most distinguished citizens, and the most fashionable and leading families. Indeed, so high did the inhabitants hold their heads, in consequence of their wealth, stability, and position, that they were termed “Everton nobles.”’[9]
In his History of Everton, published in 1830, Robert Syers wrote of the merchants, 'It is this class of persons, principally, that has made Everton what it is; their wealth and attention have transformed a spot which, not long ago, was little better than an unsightly common – a neglected waste – into a modern arcadia…’
Before 1803, the site of St George's Church was occupied by the Everton beacon, one of the area's most famous landmarks. It was a modest square tower built from local red sandstone. Standing at approximately 25 feet, the two-storied tower featured a ground floor serving as a kitchen, an apartment above for the guard, and a flat roof or terrace for the beacon fire. A turret at the northwest corner provided shelter for the watchman. The interior had a stone staircase leading to the upper room, and a similar flight to the roof, which offered views of up to thirty miles, or fifty miles if conditions were optimal. Over time, the tower's square-headed windows became frameless and exposed to the elements and its only inhabitants were the cattle grazing in beacon-field.[15][16] By December 1802, the beacon was in a dilapidated state with an earth and clay floor, a deteriorated fireplace, and its upper apartment described as 'bare, cheerless, and dungeon-like'.[17] Debate surrounds the beacon's construction date, with suggestions generally ranging from pre-Armada[18] to post-1327.[19] Its fate was sealed in 1803 when, during a stormy night, the structure collapsed. Speculation persists that it might have been deliberately undermined by someone viewing it and its visitors as a nuisance.[20] Notably, during the English Civil War, the beacon served as a venue for marriages following the expulsion of loyal clergy from Liverpool, foreshadowing the future use of the site for a church.[21]
By the early 19th century Liverpool's demand for housing saw Everton begin to be built up. In 1821 the population was 2109 and by 1829 it had risen to an estimated 3763 (calculated from 579 inhabited houses).[22] Everton became part of Liverpool in 1835.[23] Commenting on the transformation of Everton in 1869, Stonehouse noted that 'Within the last fifteen years…the process of metamorphosis has gone on until one of the pleasantest suburbs of Liverpool has become as life-teeming, cottage-bearing, and street-streaming as the densest part of Liverpool itself. Hosts of cottages now swarm up the hill sides, scramble over the top, and flood the plain on its summit.[24]
Along with neighbouring Vauxhall, Everton housed a very large
Urban clearance during the 1960s and 1970s, followed by the creation of Everton Park, changed the face of the area and some parts have never recovered. The population has plummeted by over 100,000 since the 1960s; Everton Park has replaced the densely packed streets with fields and trees. The landscape of Everton is now mainly non-urban with the loss of so many people and many hundreds of buildings.
A new district centre on Great Homer Street was opened in 2017, code named 'Project Jennifer'[26] it was advertised as a scheme to breathe new life into the rundown parts of Everton centred on Great Homer Street including a revamped 'Greaty' (branded Greatie) market. The project suffered numerous delays and setbacks through the proposal and construction stages, but was ultimately opened in June 2017, with the opening of a Sainbury's supermarket. The NSPCC Hargreaves Centre (named after locally born benefactor John Hargreaves) was opened in May 2007 on the site of the former indoor market.
Notable residents
- James Atherton, merchant and founder of New Brighton
- William Connolly (VC), soldier
- Thomas de Quincey, 19th century author
- Bill Dean, Liverpool actor
- Gordon Elliott, Australian journalist and talk-show host
- Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, soldier, Military Commander of the North West District
- William Gawin Herdman, author and painter
- Paul Aloysius Kenna, cavalry officer and VC recipient
- Paul McCartney, musician
- George Mahon (Everton F.C. chairman), an Everton F.C. founding father
- Prince Rupert of the Rhine, soldier
- Anne Sharp, teacher and close friend of novelist Jane Austen
- Robert Tressell, author
- Robb Wilton, English comedian and actor
Landmarks
- Everton Lock-Up
- First World War
- Everton water tower, listed building
- St George's Church, Everton
- Everton Library
Sport
The
Ironically, Everton F.C. has never actually played in the area. Its first three homes were located in Anfield, including Stanley Park; the club has played at Goodison Park in the area of Walton since 1892. In addition, Everton Cemetery is also not located in Everton, it lies further north-east in the district of Fazakerley.
The
Schools
- Beacon Church of England Primary
- Campion Catholic High School (demolished 2006)
- Notre Dame Catholic College
- Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary
- Whitefield Primary School
References
- ^ "City of Liverpool ward population 2011". Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ^ Everton's Origins, Toffee Web, archived from the original on 3 June 2007, retrieved 6 June 2007
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. p. 41.
- ISBN 0902990217.
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. pp. 41–44.
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. p. 415.
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. p. 117.
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. pp. 415 and 85-86.
- ISBN 0902990217.
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. p. 132.
- ^ Picton, J.A. (1875). Memorials of Liverpool: Historical and Topographical, including a History of the Dock Estate. Vol. 2. London: Longmans, Green, and Co. pp. 369–371.
- ^ "The Vision". St George's Everton - The Iron Church. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ISBN 0907768938.
- ^ "The Vision". The Iron Church: St George's Everton. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ISBN 0902990217.
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. pp. 58–60.
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. pp. 58–59.
- ISBN 0902990217.
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. pp. 56–58.
- ISBN 0902990217.
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. p. 61.
- ^ Syers, Robert (1830). The History of Everton. Liverpool: G. and J. Robinson. p. 86.
- ^ Liverpool: Our City, Our Heritage by Freddy O'Connor
- ISBN 0902990217.
- ^ "History of the Metropolitan Cathedral". Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
- ^ Project Jennifer, Liverpool City Council, archived from the original on 8 November 2007, retrieved 16 February 2008
- ^ Everton Athletic
External links
- Liverpool City Council, Ward Profile: Everton
- Liverpool Record Office Online Catalogue for Everton
- Liverpool Street Gallery - Liverpool 3
- Liverpool Street Gallery - Liverpool 5
- Liverpool Street Gallery - Liverpool 6
- Evening images from Everton Brow
- photo of Congregational chapel, Netherfield Road, Everton