America Ground

The America Ground is the name of an approximately triangular area bordered by Robertson Street, Carlisle Parade, Harold Place and Claremont in Hastings, East Sussex, England.

[1] Itinerant builders who were employed in the large scale construction works taking place during the early 19th century around the town and St Leonards having no readily available accommodation, settled in this area of land.

When the new town of St. Leonards by James Burton and the development of Pelham Crescent designed by the architect Joseph Kaye commenced during the 1820s, a large itinerant workforce migrated to the town, it being reported that they “took possession without leave, licence, or interference, and built houses, shanties, warehouses, and other erections, for which they paid no rent or consideration; a ‘No Mans Land` and independent of any law or order and, who when challenged hoisted the American Flag, very much a symbol of independence at that time".

Many of the shacks consisted of half-boats (vessels that had been destroyed by sawing in half at the Condemned Hole) up-ended[4] Sheila Kaye-Smith in her 1919 book ‘Tamarisk Town’ described the area as having been “free to any beggars, gypsies or other undesirables ... a mock city of shacks, huts and tents.”[1][5] Barry Funnell however represents that in his book, ‘The America Ground’; 'is that of a diverse, industrious, self-contained community'.

"Witness: Oh, yes, they used to take a keg for Christmas sometimes, your Honour".At some point in the early 1800s, bailiffs were sent into the area to apprehend suspected felons.

[9] After the Battle Commission decreed that the land was the property of the Crown, notices were served on the occupants in May 1828 to prove their claims.

[9][10] In addition, the detailed plan of the land between Cuckoo Hill and The Priory was annotated to reflect leases[8] On 13 November 1834, the Woods and Forests Commissioners served notice on the tenants that all buildings remaining on the ground after Michaelmas the following year, would be forfeit.

[7] The 'America Ground' then remained unused for some 15 years[9] other than occasional cricket matches and the Annual Rock Fair which was traditionally held on July 26-27th.

[1] There have been minimal changes to the architecture of the area over the past 100 years, the only real development being infilling of a 'gap' site between Cambridge Road and Robertson Street.