Forest Hill was originally known as “The Forest”, and referred to the woodland which was part of the Great North Wood.
There was a canal, The Croydon Canal which opened in 1769, but due to the numerous locks, of which there were 28, it was not commercially viable. The canal was bought by the London & Croydon Railway and the London Bridge to Croydon line was created which opened in 1839.
On the sign facing the station is a map with four words in the top right hand corner.
A B C D
N 51 26.B(A/D)C W 000 03.B(B-2)(C-3)
(If you’re wondering why it’s not a Village Sign, it does not qualify.)