Between Chatham and Rochester: The Old Intra High Street

Chatham Intra is the name given to an area adjoining the River Medway that links the historic settlements of Chatham and Rochester in Kent. The area was largely undeveloped until the early 17th century before becoming built up with a mixture of commercial, industrial and residential buildings.
Chatham Intra's development is closely tied to establishing a Royal Dockyard at Chatham from the 16th century onwards. The naval presence on the River Medway led to the expansion of Chatham from a village to a town. The River Medway soon became the favoured site for repairing and servicing English naval ships during the winter. The dockyard expanded in the 17th century and, by the 18th century, was Chatham's primary employer.
Chatham House is a building dating from the 18th century. It was constructed as a substantial and prestigious residence for the owner of the adjoining brewery on Hulkes Lane, which it fronted. It remained in use as a house until the early 20th century. In the inter-war years, it was converted into the furniture department of Featherstone’s multi-sited department store and given a front-shop extension in 1936 that was demolished in 2003.
By the 18th century, Chatham had an established Jewish community. Their presence in the area was mentioned in the writings of Charles Dickens and James Grant, although often in antisemitic terms. There was a synagogue on this site from the 1770s. The present building, Chatham Memorial Synagogue, began construction in 1865 and was opened around 1870. It was built by local merchant Simon Magnus to memorialise his only son, Captain Lazarus Simon Magnus, who died in 1865 at 39. The architect Hyman Henry Collins designed the building in the Byzantine style.
Read the Story of Intra High Street in 6 Places ➡️ bit.ly/3AiOU19
Our High Street Heritage Action Zone hopes to help the area become a cultural and creative hub with a rich mix of artists, creatives and makers occupying under-used historic buildings that need refurbishment and conversion.
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