The iconic tube station was first opened to the public 90 years ago today

Enfield mayor Doris Jiagge cuts the 90th birthday cake for Southgate Station (credit Mervyn Maggs)

A landmark birthday for one of the London tube network’s most revered stations was marked in style yesterday (Sunday) with a day-long celebration in Southgate.

Southgate Station, designed by renowned architect Charles Holden and now Grade 2*-listed, officially opened to the public on 13th March 1933 and is regarded as an icon of Art Deco architecture.

To mark the 90th anniversary of its opening, Southgate District Civic Trust and other local groups put together a packed schedule of events.

The programme included an exhibition of historic images, tours by Transport for London of some of the station’s hidden features, live music from London band The Skam, a street party in Ashfield Parade and the opportunity to explore a vintage routemaster bus.

Live music was provided by London band The Skam (credit Mervyn Maggs)

Visitors were also invited to give their views about two future projects for Southgate – the creation of a pocket park near the station and a new piece of public art being designed later this year.

The event drew big crowds outside the station, with TfL’s underground tours being fully booked well in advance as curious tube fanatics clamoured to get a glimpse of Southgate’s secret tunnels.

There was even a birthday cake cut by Enfield mayor Doris Jiagge.

A vintage 1940s routemaster bus was parked up outside the station during the day — A vintage 1940s routemaster bus was parked up outside the station for visitors to explore (credit Mervyn Maggs)

Among the visitors on the day was Southgate councillor Chris Joannides, who said: “Southgate tube station is a true North London icon, transporting commuters and tourists across the city. The underground is the skin of history that is London’s veins.”

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.