Until 1809 Portsmouth had only Old Portsmouth and Portsea. In about 1820 more houses were built west of Green Road on land belonging to a Mr Somers. The new suburb was named Somers Town.
In the 1960s, Somers Town was redeveloped and sadly the village atmosphere was lost forever. 1,245 new homes were built by 1969 including high rise, medium-rise flats and two storey houses.
5. Somers Town from the past
Crossing Somers Road 1960s. A trolleybus on route 17 to Eastney takes the staggered crossroads. Picture: Barry Cox Photo: The News archive
6. Somers Town from the past
The newsagents in Somers Road Photo: The News archive
7. Somers Town from the past
The flats go up in Somers Town Photo: The News archive
8. Somers Town from the past
Childrens day out.
The location of the fleet of charabancs was on the corner of Somers Road North (right) and Besant Road. Photo: The News archive