Salubrity of Southsea

‘Sunny Southsea – so called because of the illustrious office of the day is very much in evidence here. Southsea has made rapid advances in public favour as a watering place. In 1899 when the British Medical Association held its annual meeting in Portsmouth, emphatic testimony was borne by distinguished members of the profession to the salubrity of Southsea. Under the genial stimulus of its breezes from the sea, visitors speedily recover their pristine health and are then able to appreciate its diversified features of interest.’

Extract from the British Medical Conference handbook, 1904

Growing Portsmouth

The boundaries of Portsmouth have changed considerably over the last two centuries. The original boundary concentrated on the western side of Portsea Island encompassed Old Portsmouth, Landport, Stamshaw and Tipnor. An extension in 1832 moved the boundary eastwards to include Copnor, Fratton, Milton, Eastney and Southsea. Great Salterns was added in 1895; Hilsea, to Port Creek, in 1904; Cosham in 1920 and finally parts of Farlington and Portchester in 1932. Leigh Park in Havant was bought by Portsmouth Borough Council following World War II to house those left homeless after the blitz. However despite becoming home to thousands of people considering themselves natives of Portsmouth, and who paid rent to Portsmouth City Council, Leigh Park was never incorporated in the City boundary.