Did you know that...
Canning Town E16 was home to The Bridge House, a performance venue that hosted concerts between 1970 and 1980. Some of the most famous bands that concerted in The Bridge House include Iron Maiden, Depeche Mode, Jeff Beck, and The Police. The building was demolished but the place was not forgotten. A new venue called The Bridge House 2 was built afterwards. The name is inspired by the iron bridge constructed in 1887 to replace the old one from 1810.
A number of English professional football players hail from Canning Town E16. Lee Bowyer, James Dillimore, and Mark Noble are some of them. The district is also the birthplace of actor Windsor Davies. The Premier League club West Ham United started as Thames Ironworks F.C. The club was financed by Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company who was based in Canning Town E16.
It is believed that Canning Town E16 bears the name of Charles John Canning, the first Viceroy of India.
The area developed after the construction of the Royal Victoria Dock in 1855. Many houses were built to accommodate the dock workers that came here in search of jobs.
Today’s Canning Town has great transport links for access to London. However, this area was largely a marshland accessible only by boat or a toll bridge until the early 19th century, when a five-span iron bridge was constructed across the River Lea.