Corporation Street

[Oldun]

The Stork Hotel

 

[Vivienne14]

What a wonderful record of the Stork including a detailed record of the layout. Thanks for posting. I have set up a thread exclusively for the Stork Hotel here https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/for...rk-hotel-corporation-street-old-square.54159/

Viv.

 

[Astoness]

just been going through my photos of corporation st and noticed this one...no date but could have been taken during the war or just after...is that the remains of a plane on the back of the low loader?...also noticed the letters RAF on the truck which of course may not mean much the man to the right seems to be wearing uniform...

lyn

 

[Enel]

just been going through my photos of corporation st and noticed this one...no date but could have been taken during the war or just after...is that the remains of a plane on the back of the low loader?...also noticed the letters RAF on the truck which of course may not mean much the man to the right seems to be wearing uniform...

lyn


View attachment 162729

Fascinating. The aircraft fuselage is that of a De Havilland Mosquito. These were largely constructed of wood, and the airframe manufacture was carried out in various locations, often by furniture makers.

 

[Astoness]

thanks enel...just noticed a policeman in front of the truck...he must be standing on something unless hes over 8 foot tall

 

[oldMohawk]

Corporation Street was a one way street except for trams which travelled on a single track opposite to all other traffic. It look as if the RAF truck has broken down and the buses are having to go round it in the centre of the road thus blocking the trams.

 

[Astoness]

Corporation Street was a one way street except for trams which travelled on a single track opposite to all other traffic. It look as if the RAF truck has broken down and the buses are having to go round it in the centre of the road thus blocking the trams.

that sounds reasonable to me OM...

lyn

 

[oldMohawk]

that sounds reasonable to me OM...

lyn

When I first looked at the pic on my iPhone I wondered whether it was the forum pic of an aircraft I've often wondered about in an unknown Birmingham street, but on a larger screen I could see it was a Mosquito and not a Valetta ....

 

[Astoness]

When I first looked at the pic on my iPhone I wondered whether it was the forum pic of an aircraft I've often wondered about in an unknown Birmingham street, but on a larger screen I could see it was a Mosquito and not a Valetta ....

crossed my mind as well but as you say they are different planes..

lyn

 

[cookie273uk]

I thought it was a Mosquito, nowhere near big enough for a Valetta which I have flown on. Eric

 

[Oldun]

The Salvation Army Citadel. Architect , W. H. Ward , who was also the architect for more than three dozen premises in Corporation Street and the vicinity.

 

[pjmburns]

Citadel building from March 2021 streetview.

 

[Oldun]

1933-Yates acquire the Central Restaurant building.

 

[mikejee]

Looks like Corporation st was once pedestrianised for a short time before the era of the new trams, for the silver Jubilee of George V in 1935

 

[Astoness]

Looks like Corporation st was once pedestrianised for a short time before the era of the new trams, for the silver Jubilee of George V in 1935

View attachment 169387

nice one mike....we will never see scenes like that again

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

Not quite as busy as Mike’s post #134, but still very crowded in the 1950s. Viv.
Source: British Newspaper Archive

 

[Vivienne14]

A then and now view. A lot has changed except for the Lewis’s building and Central Methodist building in the distance. The N W Arcade still exists in the modern view. Someone may be able to date the older view by the bus. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

smashing photo viv..i know which view i would prefer to look at...can never understand why the need to demolish such wonderful architecture to be replaced by boring buildings a child could design

lyn

 

[Radiorails]

The top photograph is somewhere between late 1927 and 1933. The bus in the photo is one of the 'pickpocket specials' OP 3650 - OP 3659 (210 - 219) or OX 1510 - 1519 (235 - 244). All were withdrawn 1933/34. They were quite distinctive having a roof mounted destination box with roller blinds, an experiment which BCT did not continue.
Corporation Street was made one-way in 1933 - in the opposite direction to the buses travel.

 

[Vivienne14]

The ten storey Commercial Union House opposite House of Fraser (Rackhams) in the 1960s. Slight changes have been made to it since that time.


Source: British Newspaper Archive

 

[Vivienne14]

These were probably taken at the time of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.

Vv

 

[Bob Davis]

These were probably taken at the time of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.

Vv

View attachment 173522

View attachment 173525

First comment for three weeks, in hospital again via IÇU this time, but think it is 1937 Coronation as buses have yellow roofs. Perhaps Alan or Lloyd will confirm. Also all cars are very prewar.


Bob

 

[Vivienne14]

Hope you’re recovering Bob. Thanks for the info. Viv.

 

[Radiorails]

Hello Bob, I hope you are recovering.
Yes, you are correct the two BCT buses do have cream coloured roofs and the crown, in the bunting, is George VI not EIIR. The lower photograph appears to be New Street.

 

[Morturn]

Get well soon Bob.

 

[Pedrocut]

Don’t think we have had this picture from 1960.

 

[A Sparks]

Looks very busy!
Coming up to Christmas maybe?

 

[Radiorails]

Cranes shop demolition, or was it a fire? There are fire engines in attendance with an aerial ladder extended, hence the crowds of onlookers.

 

[Vivienne14]

You can’t but admire the elegance of the lady in the floaty dress crossing Corporation Street on this 1920s spring/summer day. An interesting vehicle (bus?) allowing pedestrians to cross the road. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

Then a very different scene some 20/30 years later. Viv.