Doss Collection

Mount Pleasant Hotel, Kings Cross, London
The Mount Pleasant Hotel at the corner of Kings Cross Road and Calthorpe Street, Central London. The building was originally erected in 1894 as one of Londons six Rowton Houses - large

East End Doss House, London
Exterior of a lodging house or doss house in the East End of London, probably Whitechapel. A man and a boy stand outside. A sign above the door reads BEDS 4d. Per Night FOR SINGLE MEN ONLY

Rowton House on Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel
Exterior of the Rowton House from the south west on Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large, purpose-built

In Hammersmith Road, West London situated the fourth of the series of Rowton Houses, a poor mens hotel, for sixpences per night. Photograph showing the courtyard where the lodgers can relax

NEW YORK LODGINGS
Midnight in a two-cent doss, New York : five cents might get you a bed, but if youve only two to rub together, a chair, a barrel or a packing crate is all you get. Date: 1894

Salvation Army Shelter, Great Peter Street, London
A large factory building on Great Peter Street, Westminster, Central London, leased by the Salvation Army for use as a night shelter. Men were allowed to sleep here on backed benches

Rowton House, Kings Cross, London
The Kings Cross Rowton House (built in 1894) at the corner of Kings Cross Road and Calthorpe Street, Central London. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large, purpose built

East End Doss House
A doss-house in the East End of London : the womens dormitory Date: 1895

Rowton House, Arlington Road, Camden, London
The Rowton House on Arlington Road, Camden, north west London. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large, purpose-built, low-cost hostels or doss-houses for working men

Homeless women in an East End doss house
This is the basement of a doss house for women in Duval Street, in the East End. A bed costs sixpence a night and lodgers provide their own meals

Rowton House, Vauxhall
Entrance to the Rowton House on Bond Street (now Bondway) at Vauxhall, South London. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large, purpose-built

Rowton House Reading Room, Vauxhall
The reading room at the Rowton House on Bond Street (now Bondway) at Vauxhall, South London. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large, purpose-built

Rowton House Shop and Bar in Dining Room, Vauxhall
The shop/bar in the dining room at the Rowton House on Bond Street (now Bondway) at Vauxhall, South London. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large, purpose-built

Dining Room, Rowton House, Hammersmith, London
View inside the dining room of a Rowton House in Hammersmith, West London, with male inmates eating at tables and queueing to be served

Entrance Hall, Rowton House, Hammersmith, London
Men pass through the turnstiles in the entrance hall of a Rowton House in Hammersmith, West London. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large, purpose-built

Entrance ticket, Rowton House, Hammersmith, London
An entrance ticket for a Rowton House in Hammersmith, West London. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large, purpose-built, low-cost hostels or doss-houses for working men

First Floor Plan, Rowton House, Camden, London
The first floor plan of the Rowton House opened in 1905 on Arlington Road, Camden, north west London, to provide cheap accommodation for working men

Living Room of a Rowton House, London
The living room of one of Londons Rowton Houses where the residents can be seen relaxing, reading, and playing draughts. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large

Workhouse, Casual Ward
A workhouse casual ward which the poster on the right suggests is in the vicinity of Reading in Berkshire. The tramps and vagrants who occupied the room slept on hammocks slung between hooks attached

Dormitory of a Common Lodging House
The dormitory of a common lodging house where a clean bed for the night and washing facilities could be had for (in 1930) between sixpence and a shilling

Manchester Union Casual Wards, Manchester
Casual wards for tramps and vagrants at Tame Street, Ancoates, Manchester. The original premises were set up in a former cotton mill in 1897 but were rebuilt in around 1900 after being burnt down

Rowton House, Whitechapel, East London
The Rowton House (named Tower House, built in 1902) on Fielding Street, Whitechapel, East London. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large, purpose built

Bridewell, London
Women prisoners, many with children, doss down in the Pass-Room at Bridewell, for the reception of short-term female offenders. It is located near Blackfriars

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"Doss: A Glimpse into London's Historical Lodging Houses" Step back in time and explore the world of "doss" in London, where lodging houses provided temporary shelter for those seeking respite. From the iconic Mount Pleasant Hotel in Kings Cross to the East End Doss House, these establishments were a lifeline for many. One such refuge was the Rowton House on Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, offering affordable accommodation to those struggling to make ends meet. In Hammersmith Road, West London stood another installment of this series of Rowton Houses, providing solace amidst bustling city life. Across the pond in New York City, lodgings akin to doss houses offered sanctuary for weary souls seeking shelter from harsh realities. These humble abodes served as a haven for individuals striving to find their footing in an unfamiliar land. The Salvation Army Shelter on Great Peter Street became a beacon of hope for countless homeless individuals who found comfort within its walls. Meanwhile, East End doss houses catered specifically to vulnerable women facing homelessness and adversity. Notably located near Kings Cross station was yet another Rowton House – a testament to the widespread need for affordable housing during that era. The fourth installment along Hammersmith Road continued this legacy by providing safe havens amid urban chaos. These doss houses played an integral role in supporting marginalized communities throughout history. They remind us of our collective responsibility towards ensuring everyone has access to basic necessities like shelter and warmth. As we reflect upon these historical landmarks and their significance today, let us strive towards creating inclusive societies where no one is left without a place they can call home.