Recent content by superdad3

Recently given a copy of a book published by "City of Birmingham Water Department" called "Elan Supply Description of Work"s. Published in 1908. It contains a very good description of the works, It includes 7 photos, map of the dams etc and a strip map of the works from Elan to Birmingham and a...

Empire Vaults P.H. - timeline 1852: James Day listed as a wine & spirit merchant at 76 Smallbrook Street. 1855: James Day now described as a victualler at Crystal Palace 1862: James Day’s Crystal Palace Concert Hall now listed at 75 Smallbrook St. 1868: Concert Hall at 75. Crystal Palace at 76...

I've often wondered about the history of this building on Pershore Road, Stirchley. It opened in1912 as the Empire Theatre. and was taken over by ABC cinemas in 1932 but closed in 1943. It later became a garage and is now used by Enterprise Car Hire.

Hi, Just to be certain, was Universal the building on the corner of Thorp Street on attachment 194892? Many thanks.

This area of Bham around the junction of Smallbrook Street and Hurst Street facinates me. Probably because of the brilliant photos of the area on the forum. Intend to research the area and the shops etc as time allows. Second phot above posted by Astoness is classic showing part of Hurst Street...

This print is on sale on Abe Books. Tried to edit to make clearer without success but thought it would be of interest because of its age. It shows Smallbrook Street from Hurst Street in 1867. The wall sign reads J.Child, Corn dealer..... But the corner shop looks like a china shop? Anyone any ideas?

I don't think this has been posted before? This is from Streetview in 2024 oat585 Moseley Road near Brighton Road. Robinsos are a very old removal company [over a 100 years ago]. This building was built in the1920s. Converted some years ago into apartments - not sure when? Robinsons are still...

The Wikipaedia article is incredibly detailed and interesting and confirms that at one time [1200s] the Abbey controlled both the manors of Harborne & Smethwick as well as the advowson of St Peters Church, Harborne.

Harborne Police Station Well you learn something everyday! Harborne Police Station [the Rose Rd one] is now also. history. Must have passed me by. I don't think it's been mentioned on the Forum? The former divional HQ was closed in Oct 2023, put on sale in 2024 and acquired by Spitfire Homes...

TQ in post 1710 above mentions " The cube building in P1705 just across the road from the corner of The Royalty may well have been something else at times beforehand, but for me was always The Police Station. Seemingly with some history in that role as accompanying photos suggest, until...

Brooks & Hawkes, Hurst Street. Just been looking at post number 3 from Astoness and the atmospheric photograph looking down Ladywell Walk from the corner of Hurst Street. What a gem The building on the corner [no 40] was originally the warehouse etc for Brooks & Hawkes Ltd [founded 1860] who...

This may be of interest, but doesn't mention colour. I also remember the top part as "cream" but can't remember what the bottom half was.. This was in the 1960s/70s{?] The 'Precinct' was a Group-B street light that was produced by Revo of Tipton exclusively for Birmingham City Council in the...

This is the back of one of William Baker's prints. May be of interest? There are two threads on the Forum: W. Baker and William Baker. They are the same person. Could they be amalgamated? I have an interest in the history of Highgate and am confused about where Highgate and Balsall Heath...

Kings Heath: High Street Took me a while to work out where about this was on the High Street. Realised that the building on the extreme right was the library. All changed now. The library opened in 1906. Next door was a Seventh Day Adventist chapel. This became Hope Chapel in the 1920s. In...

Came across this invoice from Charles Cartwright & Sons dated 1893 for sale on Ebay. From 1846-1866 Charles Cartwright & Sons operated from 22 Edgbaston Street. By 1875 [advert] there was a showroom and warehouse at no 15. By 1869 a subsidery company was operating from Cumberland Street which...