“KINGESHETH” Before the 18th Century Kings Heath was unoccupied woodland and commons and was part of the Royal Borough and Manor of Kings Norton.
Development began in the 1760’s when the track road became a turnpike road from Alcester to Birmingham and cottages were built around the Cross Guns area where travelers stopped for rest and refreshment. In 1801 the turnpike road was straightened to its present line along the High Street In the 1800’s wealthy families began to invest in farms on the undeveloped heath land. The area offered a healthy environment with convenient access to the town. The railway station was opened in 1840 on the Birmingham to Gloucester line providing an even faster link to Birmingham, the station was closed during the Second World War. Between 1850 and 1900 the population increased immensely during which schools churches and chapels were built including the impressive All Saints Anglican Church on the corner of the High Street and Vicarage Road. The new tram line built in 1886 brought an added link for Kings Heath to and from the rest of Birmingham. In 1911 Kings Norton including Kings Heath voted to amalgamate with Birmingham. From 1900 housing estates were built and a busy linear shopping area grew along the length of the High Street and side roads and with it came the introduction of a Police Station and a fire service A growing social scene then evolved in the neighbourhood including swimming, cricket, tennis, football and bowls. Kings Heath boasts 2 impressive parks. Kings Heath Park originated as the estate of a mansion called Kings Heath House belonging to a John Harwood. After being burned to the ground in 1791 the house was rebuilt in 1832 by William Congreve Russell and in 1908 both house and grounds were bought by Birmingham City Council when a new park was laid. The park and its Classic Victorian cast- iron greenhouse have been part of the School of Horticultural Training since 1953 and have been used in many television gardening programmes since the 1970’s including the BBC’s Gardeners World and is the venue for the annual Gardeners Weekend. Highbury Park was formally part of the grounds of Highbury Hall, the home of Joseph Chamberlain. In 1923 The Birmingham Civic Society purchased several acres of land which joined the estates of Highbury and Uffculme which together became Highbury Park. The land was bought at public auction for £9000 and was gifted to the city on the understanding that the Society would be consulted regarding layout and treatment of the grounds which were lovingly landscaped at the turn of the century with extensive tree planting and other more exotic areas with international planting. Highbury Park is the focus of many community led projects and is important as a cultural and heritage resource for the area. Kings Heath and Highbury Parks continue to provide an oasis of tranquility for both local residents and visitors. Kings Heath is now a thriving shopping area featuring national chain stores and many small independent businesses set along the now busiest bus route in Europe the number 50 along the A435 Alcester Road. A campaign is now in place to reopen the train station. High Street Kings Heath- pictures of yesteryear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp6X8aLfbcA