History of Crystal Palace F.C. building known as The Crystal Palace had been relocated from Hyde Park, London and rebuilt in enlarged form in an area of South London next to Sydenham Hill. This area was renamed Crystal Palace including the park surrounding the site where various sports facilities were built. An amateur Crystal Palace football team played here as early as 1861. Then in 1895, the Football Association adopted a new permanent home for the FA Cup Final which was to be played at the sports stadium situated inside the historic grounds of the Palace. With the owners also reliant on tourist activity for
Crystal Palace railway station the terminus of a spur line from Sydenham. In 1856 the station was able to take through train services to Wandsworth via West Norwood and Streatham Hill, following the completion of the 746 yard (690 m) Crystal Palace Tunnel. Although relatively short, the tunnel was regarded as a major engineering achievement as it was cut ""through the same treacherous material [clay], through the hill on which the Crystal Palace stands, and immediately under one of the great water towers, a superincumbent weight of 2,200 tons which taxed in its execution all the skill and workmanship of the eminent contractors."" In