Densely populated working-class housing mixed with mansion flats for the middle classes and a proposal for a prison near present-day Clapham Junction – just some aspects of Battersea’s evolution in the 19th century.

The developments are charted in a new book from the Wandsworth Historical Society – Aspects of Battersea History 1770 – 1910.

The Battersea district grew from a few hamlets and settlements along former coach routes, the book says, with many architectural landmarks in the area completed after 1770.

The Grade I listed Church of St Mary, which forms the focus of the surviving remnants of Battersea Village, was built in 1775, incorporating a stained glass window from 1630.

The bridge of 1772 was replaced by the current Battersea Bridge dating from 1890.

The nearby Albert Bridge, built by RM Ordish, was opened in 1873, but the major London landmark of Battersea Power Station, from the mind of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, came slightly too late for the book, being built in 1932.

The development of the railways after 1840 allowed Battersea’s population to increase from 6,600 in 1841 to 169,000 by 1901, and the book documents how Clapham Junction station was the main focus for the transformation of the area in the 19th century.

As railway companies built a new network of lines in the 1840s, 50, and 60s the station became, and still is, the busiest railway hub in the country.

Despite the station being in the heart of Battersea, the station’s Clapham moniker was chosen by companies because in those days Clapham was considered a smarter area.

The book was written by Dr Keith Bailey, former editor of the Wandsworth Historian.

Copies of Aspects of Battersea History 1770 – 1910 are available for £9 plus £1.50 for postage and packaging from Neil Robson, 119 Heythorp Street SW18 5BT or by emailing ngrobson@tiscali.co.uk.