The ground was opened in 1908 and the first match played here was on June 18, 1914 between Essex and Worcestershire in the County Championship. It was also reopened in 1914 after returning from World War I. Due to the River Colne running alongside the ground, there used to be regular problems of drainage. In 1966, it was transferred, in the middle of a match, to Colchester's secondary venue, the Garrison A Cricket Ground. This arrangement lasted until 1975.