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Rowton House on Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel
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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, low-cost hostels or doss-houses for working men. They were established by Lord Rowton (Montagu William Lowry Corry).
1902
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Media ID 23080964
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Collection
Accomodation Doss Hostels Jul18 Pauper Paupers Rowton Whitechapel Workhouse Workhouses 1902
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the exterior of Rowton House on Fieldgate Street in Whitechapel, London, as it appeared in 1902. The Rowton Houses were a groundbreaking social initiative, established by the philanthropist Montagu William Lowry Corry, 1st Viscount Rowton, to provide affordable accommodation for working men. Six such houses were erected around London, including this one in Whitechapel. The Rowton Houses were designed as large, purpose-built, low-cost hostels or doss-houses, offering a roof and a bed for men who struggled to afford private lodgings. The buildings were renowned for their strict rules and regimented atmosphere, which aimed to promote order and discipline among their residents. The photograph shows the south-west facade of Rowton House on Fieldgate Street, with its imposing red-brick exterior and tall, narrow windows. The scene is quiet and still, with few signs of life visible. The only activity appears to be a man in a bowler hat, hurrying past the entrance. At the time, the Rowton Houses were a controversial innovation. Some saw them as a valuable resource for working men, while others criticized them as pauperizing institutions that encouraged idleness and dependency. Regardless of opinion, the Rowton Houses represented a significant step forward in the provision of affordable housing for London's working population. Today, the Rowton Houses stand as a testament to the social reforms of the late Victorian era and the enduring need for affordable housing. This photograph offers a glimpse into a bygone era, inviting us to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of London's past.
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