Place Name
A property called The Compasses on Richmond Hill was mentioned in the court rolls of the early 17thCentury – and it is from this that the road is thought to have got its name, originally as Compasses Hill, but from 1891 taking its present name. It was mentioned in 1737 when on April 14, a William Toms was summoned before the Court Baron for what can only be described as an early infringement of planning laws or, more accurately, “an encroachment of ye Wastee at the South End of his house on Richmond Hill called or known by the name of ye Compasses by building and enclosing a Bench or Seat 6 feet long by 3 feet wide or thereabouts and do amerce (be punished) for ye same 4d per annum til removed.” At some stage in the late 18thCentury the house became an inn called The Three Compasses, and the Compass Hotel by 1935. In 1940 Richmond Council voted to purchase the hotel along with other properties to allow for the widening of Petersham Road, this was carried out in the early 1950s.
