The America Ground, Hastings
Format:Paperback
Publisher:The History Press Ltd
Published:15th Jul '21
Should be back in stock very soon
The America Ground: 8½ acres of Hastings town centre that in the early nineteenth century was an open section of beach, apparently beyond the borough boundary and with no obvious owner. Free from the rules of local authority and taxes, this almost lawless area was gradually occupied by a thousand or more people, many of them squatters, who lived and worked there – until they were all evicted by the government in 1835.
This is the story of that beach, which became almost ‘independent’ of the ancient town (like America had of England), but ultimately played a crucial role in expanding the old fishing port into a modern seaside resort.
A ‘beautifully produced and illustrated book.’
* The Hastings Observer *‘A new book by author Steve Peak has revealed the fascinating history of a unique area of Hastings.’
* The Hastings Observer *‘This book documents the history thoroughly, in an engaging and accessible style. It is well-illustrated with historical maps and photographs of the area and there are appendices dedicated to the people who lived in the America Ground, the houses that were moved stone by stone to St Leonards, and later history of the area including the Rock Fair.’
* Hastings Online Times *‘Peak’s long-awaited book on the America Ground has been published with the support of Historic England as part of the Trinity Triangle Heritage Action Zone initiative.’
* Hastings Online TimesISBN: 9780750997317
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown