See Birmingham by Post Card

[Stitcher]

I am glad you find it interesting. There is so much more that could be written but I dont know if members would rather just have the pictures.
Trevor.

 

[motorman-mike]

Great postings Trevor and with the older pics the information is really worth having. I'm glad you and so many others will keep this this thread going as my post cards are running out now. I'm amazed we have now reached 50 pages and still so popular!
Mike
Here is a 1950's view of the old Birmingham Municipal Bank HQ in Broad Street.

 

[Stitcher]

You know mike, I see a picture on this thread and I think 'oh god I remember that'. That makes me think that if I had not seen the picture, I might have never thought of the building or road again for the rest of my life.

 

[lencops]

Three photos of Brum. Len.

 

[Stitcher]

Frederick York Wolsely was born in 1837. He emigrated to Australia but came back in 1899 with Herbert Austin, who had also earler emigrated.
The car below, a Wolsley 96 hp. chain drive, is being driven through Saltley. The building in the background is St. Peters College, College Walk Saltley.

 

[motorman-mike]

Early days too on the Bristol Road here.

 

[mikejee]

This postcard manufacturer has found a fresh birmingham station (see title) on this card, posted 1909 (I think, as its a bit smudged). If it was a stamp with an error it would be worth thousands, but unfortunately its a postcard,
Mike

 

[Stitcher]

New St looking from Worcester St. 1910 and 1971.New St dates from the 14th centurywhen it started at the village High St. and ended in the country.The Birmingham Post & Mailmoved from New St. to its present location.

 

[jennyann]

Thanks for posting the post cards everyone. It's a great collection. I remember going with my Mom to renew our ration books at the building next to the Municipal Bank on Broad Street.

I liked the mistake on the New Street Station postcard . That's how the station looked when I worked there. New Street that is!

One thing you always notice on old photographs and post cards of streets is the lack of cars, etc.

 

[motorman-mike]

Here is the last of my cards whch really should have been the first when I started this Thread. I will enjoy checking to see the stuff I know will carry it on and have been pleased to show off my card collection along the way. Little did I think it would become part of a 5 Star Tour! Thank you for being on the Tour with me.
Mike.

 

[Stitcher]

I am sure it has been our pleasure. Thank you Mike.

 

[Jayell]

Thanks you Mike - it has been a really great treat seeing your postcards.

Judy

 

[val]

Oh thank you all for posting these postcards, fantastic viewing, just worked my way through all the pages. Well done!

 

[robert]

Well done Mike. Admin should make it a seperate thread.

 

[sylviasayers]

Thanks Mike
for all the postcards you have posted, and to the others who have picked up your baton, keep posting.

Astonite, the sign you mention in Clarendon Street, was actually in Park Lane, facing Clarendon Street. It was advertising the cobblers Neales, and showed a policeman with his LARGE foot upturned showing his boots newly repaired. It was there for many years, part of my childhood and quite a landmark, anyone using the No.8 inner circle bus couldn't have missed it either.

 

[mikejee]

I hadn't seen this picture before till I saw it in a tat shop (sorry - antique emporium) in the west country
Mike

 

[Stitcher]

Here are two views of Five Ways, 1920 and again in 1971. Five Ways was Birminghams boundary in 1807. In 1813 oil lighting was provided for seven months of the year. Up until 1840, tolls were taken at Five Ways for the upkeep of the highway. By 1920 this end of Broad St. consisted of maily Georgian houses, either converted into shops, or with shops built on the front gardens.
In the second picture you will see how the human scale and charm of the 19th centuary have been ruthlessly swept away to to provide an elevated roundabout.

 

[The Baron]

OK Folks, can any one tell me if I have missed it or is a photo/postcard of the HEN & CHICKENS NEW STREET on this tread or any other?
If not has any one got a photo of this HOTEL?
THE BARON (ASTON)

 

[Stitcher]

The Baron, I dont know if I have one or not. I have too much stuff to remember everything do you see. I will set a time of twenty four hours and look through it all. If I find one I will post it. If I havent got one I will say nothing. That way you will know by tomorrow evening.

 

[The Baron]

No rush STICHER, It just that I had a GreatAunt who owned a JEWELLERS ( No 129 NEW STREET) adjoining the HEN & CHICKENS back in 1881.
JUST WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE?
THANKS THE BARON (ASTON)

 

[Jayell]

Stitcher, unbelieveable the difference between the two photos of Five Ways that you posted. How sad to see what they have done over the years, and how cold the modern view looks. 45 years ago I worked for a while at TI House, which was a new modern building then, I think it's a hotel now. In those days although there had been modernisation, you could still just about recognise how it had been in your earlier picture.

Judy

 

[Stitcher]

Bradford St in the distant past of 1783, and again in 1952.

 

[chucka]

[

Forgive me if I am nieve but could someone please tell me where the Old Square was situated.

 

[Rupert]

Corporation Street and just east of Bull Street.
1890 map link below. You can move around on it. Where you click will move to centre.

https://www.british-history.ac.uk/m...d=10098&ox=2169&oy=731&zm=1&czm=1&x=209&y=357

Actually you might find more info if you put Old Square in the search box. I know that there is material on here that shows this square from way back before Corporation Street was built.

 

[Phil]

A couple that I don't think have been seen before. I think they both must have been taken in the 70's. One is taken from the Rotunda at night showing the view along Smallbrook Ringway, and the other from (I think) Moor St car park showing part of the Bull Ring.

Phil

 

[Sakura]

Rupert I really like your the map and how I remember the streets.

Phil the photos are very nice and I have to admit I prefer it as it was than how it is now in some parts of the city. Having said that I think other parts are a great improvement. Mo

 

[Phil]

Sakura,

If I am honest I will say that I prefer the 60's version of the Bull Ring, although I have known all three versions. It was the in 60's that I grew to be an adult. and it grew with me. For all its failings it was still loved by many.

For it to be loved by all, it would have needed to be a mixture of the 40's 60's and 00's. It just wouldn't have worked. I have no doubt the people it was built for (the youngsters) will come to love it, just as we did our version.

Phil

 

[Rupert]

I am sure PMC is right, todays crop will take what they find but I still prefer the old 40s version. The buildings could have been refurbished. Period construction could have filled in bombed spots. Just minor renovations in the town center maybe. Bigger ring roads would have handled the rest further out that could have combined shopping at street level with residential on low rise upper stories. Ah well we have been this route before. Tourism is major still I suppose and I doubt that tourists come to see modern high rise.

 

[Phil]

Rupert

Here you are, the old and the new together (well partially). Side by side for a short interlude. Now we can both mourn together at the loss of both.

Phil

 

[jennyann]

Thanks for posting these photos. Yes, all gone now. I used to visit both stores. Is that the Albany Hotel going up in the background? Thanks.