An urban myth persists that sometime in the early 1800s, America Ground’s founders declared it to be the US’s 24th state. While there’s no evidence to back this up, what is known is when the 1832 Reform Act extended voting rights beyond land-owning gentry in Britain, Hastings’ “Americans” proudly affirmed their adopted identity by carrying the Stars and Stripes in procession through town to a celebratory outdoor banquet. Their plan to present the flag to the mayor as a souvenir of the pro-democracy festivities was deemed unpatriotic, until they modified it to include the Union Jack.

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Today, locals enjoy explaining the origins of the quarter’s unusual name to visitors and occasionally celebrating their namesake neighbours across the pond. 

Over the past 15 years, sporadic 4 July celebrations have been held in America Ground. Events have included Lindy Hop demonstrations, vintage Jeep displays and the reading of the Declaration of Independence. More recently, “Independents’ Day” street parties have reframed the tradition to spotlight local businesses. 

This year, however, festivities are likely to be muted. “There’s some discomfort around Trump’s rhetoric,” local resident Lorna Lloyd told me, after the US president renewed calls to acquire Greenland. She believes there are no current plans to honour the US’ semiquincentennial. Lloyd owns The Printworks, a Victorian-era building which now houses a music venue, homewares shop and loft-style B&B apartments. She and her husband took an early punt on America Ground’s revival, inspired by having watched London’s Soho transform from an edgy, rundown district to a thriving entertainment hub.