Walsall Local History
Our Walsall local history column kicks off with a look at a Walsall street name. Ever wondered why a shopping street in the town centre without much greenery is called Park Street? We did a bit of digging and found out.
Park Street was originally named after the 260-acre park that was attached to the manor house of William Ruffus, where the Lord’s deer and oxen grazed. The park stretched from Park Street westwards to Bentley Mill and southwards as far as Pleck . Ruffus received the Manor of Walesale as a gift from King Henry II in 1159. But the site of his manor house is now occupied by a part of the Manor Hospital.
Today, Park Street is set to benefit from a major regeneration, which aims to make Walsall town centre one of the greenest, healthiest and most accessible in the country. Plans, now approved, include a new adult learning centre in the old Marks and Spencer building on Park Street. You can click here to find out more about the regeneration plans on the Walsall Council Website.
If you are into local history and would like to contribute to this column in future, please get in touch with your Community Engagement Officer, Sharday, on 07984 225 181.