The street lies within the area of Roman
Eboracum, and remains of a late Roman building were found in excavations, along with part of a road surface, which may have been a
parade ground. The street was originally part of Patrick Pool, while the name "Swinegate" was given to what are now Little Stonegate and Back Swinegate. In about 1541, the street name was transferred, as pigs began being sold on the street, although this was considered inconvenient and was moved outside Fishergate Bar in 1605. In the 1760s, the
Sandemanians set up a meeting room on the street. St Sampson's Church Infant School opened on the street in 1861, but closed in 1873. The York Central Mission built a chapel on the street in 1910, which was later taken over by the
Elim Pentecostal Church. ==Layout and architecture==