The opening of Clapham Junction railway station in 1863 led to rapid residential and commercial development along the street and by 1885 it was such a busy commercial district that Arding and Hobbs, the largest department store south of the River Thames, was built.
The opening of Clapham Junction railway station in 1863 led to rapid residential and commercial development along the street, with construction of a large number of houses as well as many large civic and commercial buildings. By 1885 it was such a busy commercial district that Arding and Hobbs, the largest department store south of the River Thames, was built.