Clapham has three London Underground stations, a distinct rarity considering South London is criminally underserved by the Tube. These three Northern line stations, rather unimaginatively, are called Clapham North, Clapham Common and Clapham South.
But it wasn’t always going to be that way. One of this trio was very nearly left out to be part of the Clapham gang of stations, so nearly in fact, the name still exists within the station, though you’d never be able to see it – the signs have been covered up.
Clapham South was nearly called Nightingale Lane, as it is located on the corner of Nightingale Lane and Balham Hill. When you think about it, it actually makes a bit more sense this way and gives a little more differentiation before the three stations all lined in a row.
Clapham South opened in 1926. Here it is on September 13 that year
(Image: H. F. Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
There must have been at least a few panicked tourists who saw the name Clapham on one of the stops and rushed out, thinking they had just arrived three stops early. Nightingale Lane could have helped out these poor, delayed souls while also giving Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern British nursing, a much-deserved nod in the process.
But alas, we now are stuck with plain old, does what it says on the tin, Clapham South. The station was opened in 1926, and it actually came so close to being named Nightingale Lane that maps and signs with the name on them had already been made.
According to Transport for London, the name Nightingale Lane still exists behind the blue bars on the roundels at platform level. You would just never know it was there.
Rennick Tobis from Jamaica at a temporary reception centre in a converted air-raid shelter under Clapham South tube station in London, June 1948. Tobis arrived in Britain on HMT Empire Windrush on 22nd June
(Image: Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Another name considered for the station was ‘Balham North’ but when it was opened in 1926 the final decision had been made and Clapham South it was.
Clapham South holds yet more secrets too. There is also more than a mile of underground passageways connected to the station.
The Clapham South deep-level shelter had several uses. It was a place of refuge in the Second World War, housing Caribbean migrants arriving on the Empire Windrush, and even as London’s cheapest hotel during the Festival of Britain. You can tour the shelter and find out more about its history with Hidden London at the London Transport Museum.
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