User:Roypenfold/America Ground

America Ground

The America Ground was the name given to an area roughly bordered by Robertson Street, Carlisle Parade and Claremont in Hastings. Initially, it was settled by the itinerant builders who were employed in the large scale construction works taking place around the town. Prior to being cleared in 1850, the area was home to a number of squatters and consisted mainly of Ropewalks. Post 1850, the land was transferred to the Crown, becoming the property of the Chief Commissioner for Woods and Forests.

Prior to Occupation
Prior to becoming closed up by the accumulation of shingle, the area was once part of the river mouth of the Priory Stream. Allegedly the stream used to be navigable up to approximately the location of Hole Farm. The Priory Stream still runs under the deep layer of shingle (albeit in a culvert). During excavations conducted in the Town Centre during the demolition of some buildings for road improvement works, remnants of what were possibly either the Priory Bridge or an ancient sluice gate were found in a 30 foot deep pit.