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The name Elm Park comes from Elm Farm. The first mention of this area comes from the 18th century. In the 19th century, it was called Elms. The name Elm Park is used since 1933. The urban history of this RM12 area begins in 1930 when the Elm Park Garden City by Richard Costain and Sons was developed. Before that, only a few farms could be found here. The company bought land in the area and began the development of 7,000 houses. The roads were widened and a bridge over the railway was constructed. Costain also donated the land to build Harrow Lodge Park in nearby Hornchurch. Many houses were built in the interwar period. The outbreak of World War II put a stop to the residential development.
Some of the buildings in this East London area received damage from aerial bombing during World War II. After the war, social housing was built here. More than 1,000 council homes were raised here by 1964. The local railway station was opened in 1935. The Minister of Health, Hilton Young, attended the opening ceremony. Dagenham Girl Pipers, a famous pipe band, performed at the event. The Elm Park Residents’ Association was founded in 1935.
Elm Park residents have access to a number of open spaces such as Hornchurch Country Park, Brettons Park, and Eastbrookend Country Park. The last one is part of the Thames Chase forest. This area has numerous shops and services. The center features 196 business areas, including bakeries, florists, banks, clothes stores, hairdressers, butchers, bicycle shop, post office, grocery stores, and many others. The Elm Park Hotel building currently houses a Sainsbury’s store. Residents can enjoy a variety of foods thanks to many restaurants, takeaways, and cafes. There are three places of worship: Elm Park Baptist Church, St. Nicholas Church of England, and St Albans Catholic Church. The area has one library.