Whitechapel/Brick Lane/Aldgate - London's East End

Old and New in Whitechapel

This corner shop is the site of one of the old Yiddish Theaters

The Whitechapel Bell Foundry - amongst many others,
The Liberty Bell and Big Ben were made here.

Steps - entrance to tenament building in the East End.

Back view of tenaments

Many streets in London have strange names, and Hessel Street in the East End is one. Until recently I had no idea who this street was named after and have found out that Hessel Street was apparently named after Phoebe Hessel (b.1713). She had a very interesting history - and at one point in her life dressed up as man to join the army to fight the French. There are many stories about her. It was thought she was Jewish, but she was baptised in Stepney and buried in a Brighton church. She lived for 108 years.