From Medieval times it was a rural township associated with Derby but outside the burgh boundary, before experiencing rapid urbanisation and population growth in the 19th century.

After a brief existence as a self-governing local board area between 1866 and 1889, it was absorbed by the newly created Derby county borough and has subsequently fallen into obscurity.

The coming of the railway industry to Derby from 1839 onwards, however, was the catalyst for a huge expansion of the local population, including areas outside the historic borough boundaries.

[6] The Osmaston Road area contained the Derby workhouse, but was also home to many prominent middle class residents living in large houses such as The Field, at one time occupied by Midland Railway engineer William Henry Barlow.

Indeed the use of the name itself has fallen into decline in recent decades, many of the residential streets at the heart of 19th century Litchurch having been obliterated in the 1970s to facilitate the expansion of the neighbouring Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.