Custom House and Wool Quays

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

South out of Lower Thames Street, east of the Custom House (P.O. Directory).


First mention: O.S. 1848-51.

Former names : "Customers Key" or "Woole wharfe" (S. 1598, ed. p. 37). "Custom House Quay." 1637 (Cal. L. and P. Chas. I. D.S. XI. p. 97, to Elmes, 1831). "New Key" (O. and M. 1677). "Custom House Key" (Rocque, 1746-Horwood, 1799).

In O. and M. 1677, and Strype, 1720 and 1755 eds. the lane running north and south, west of the Custom House is called Custom House Key.

The name has survived from early times, as Wool Wharf was the original designation of this key, on which the old Custom House afterwards stood, before the present building was erected further west.

See Custom House, Custom House Wharf, and Wool Quay.

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