Letchworth Garden City Centenary Web Site

A Brief History of Letchworth Garden City

Ebenezer Howard had a vision that would end the poverty and slum conditions suffered by so many in the late Victorian era. Howard dreamed of 'Garden Cities', where the best elements of town and country would be combined and the profits from the town would be used to benefit ordinary townspeople.

Howard outlined his philosophy in his book,'Tomorrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform', published in 1898 (reissued in 1902 as 'Garden Cities of Tomorrow'). This became the catalyst for Letchworth Garden City.

First Garden City Limited was formed in 1903, invited a number of architects to submit 'Master Plans' for the Letchworth estate, and selected the scheme created by Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin. In 1905 the 'Cheap Cottages Exhibition' attracted wide publicity for the Garden City and demonstrated that sound housing could be provided at a cost of just £150 per dwelling. The exhibition attracted 60,000 people and its success prompted a second exhibition in 1907. As Letchworth flourished, roads were planted with individual species of tree and 'Arbor Days', celebrating the bloom of a particular variety, were a feature of pre-1914 social life. Indeed, the years 1904 to 1914 were a Golden Age for Letchworth and accounts made by early pioneers describe a 'new beginning' and a great feeling of community spirit.

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Ebenezer Howard

Regrettably, the First World War disrupted development and plans for a number of public buildings on the Broadway never materialised.However, the 1920's witnessed Letchworth's reemergence, and between 1924 and 1926 alone, fifty new shops were opened.The most comprehensive development was a covered shopping mall,The Arcade, which linked the town centre's two major streets, Station Road and Leys Avenue.

Post-1945, the success of First Garden City Ltd in generating profits from the Estate, which were ploughed back into the town, made Letchworth Garden City a highly attractive target for property speculators.This resulted in a hostile takeover bid in the late 1950s and early 1960s led by Amy Rose and Hotel York Ltd. To protect the town, a Private Members' Bill, the result of a massive public outcry by local residents, was promoted in Parliament. The Bill was passed in Parliament and Letchworth Garden City Corporation, a public sector organisation, was given the responsibility of safeguarding, managing and developing the Garden City Estate. In 1995, the Corporation was wound up and its Estate and responsibilities were passed to a new organisation, Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, an Industrial and Provident Society with charity status. Today, one hundred years after the birth of Letchworth, the Foundation, in keeping with the principles of First Garden City Ltd continues to reinvest all surpluses back into the Garden City.