The basin was constructed in 1820 at the same time as the second half of the canal from
Camden Town to
Limehouse, though the wharf buildings were not completed until 1822. It was originally known as
Horsfall Basin after the original landowner, and later as
Maiden Lane Basin. Its current name comes from the former name for the
King's Cross area, named after an ancient bridge over the
River Fleet. The canal museum buildings were used in the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century for the storage of ice from Norway and its distribution to the surrounding area. ==See also==