Topic summary
Gravesend, Kent
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Gravesend.
Geography
In 1817, Gravesend, Kent, was described as a market town and the first port on the River Thames, containing 536 houses and 31,119 inhabitants. From these origins as a landing place and shipping port, Gravesend gradually extended southwards and eastwards. Better-off London residents began visiting the town during the summer months, initially by boat and later via railway. More extensive development followed after World War I, with further expansion after World War II, when many of the surrounding housing estates were constructed, some with the assistance of German prisoners of war.