Does anyone know the location of this one ?

[Vivienne14]

It claims to be Birmingham. It's outside Bradfords The People's Draper. Is it in the City Centre ? I was wondering if it's Digbeth, but just guessing.

 

[Radiorails]

deleted

 

[mikejee]

There is no Bradfords drapers in Birmingham Kellys for 1890, 1896, 1900 or 1904. Similarly no Crowther's funeral directors
Were there still horse trams in Birmingham in 1904?

 

[Astoness]

There is no Bradfords drapers in Birmingham Kellys for 1890, 1896, 1900 or 1904. Similarly no Crowther's funeral directors
Were there still horse trams in Birmingham in 1904?

i found this info mike...does not help us with location though

Yes, there were horse-drawn trams in Birmingham. The first trams in Birmingham were indeed horse-drawn, appearing in 1872. They were operated by various private companies before the Birmingham Corporation took over operations in 1904. A Birmingham Central Tramways operated a horse-drawn tramway from Colmore Row to Hockley Brook, with an extension to Bristol Road, according to Crich Tramway Village

 

[MWS]

There are a couple of mentions of Crowther Bros associated with funerals in the newspapers but later. Address sems to be 76 Paradise St, West Bromwich.

And on the 1921 census there is a Benjamin Crowther listed in West Brom with an occupation listed as something to do with funeral.

 

[mikejee]

The last horse tram to Nechells was in 1906, so there were horse trams in 1904

 

[mikejee]

Alfred Stephen bradford is listed in 1904 Kellys atm 145 high St west bromwich. In same Kellys, Benjamin Crowther is an undertaker at 91 Oak Road, West Bromwich. The map shows Bradfords at corner of High St and Bull St

 

[pjmburns]

Snap - had just reached the same conclusion -West Bromwich.

 

[mikejee]

This is approximately the same view today

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YJnLPYsQGEdZnoY77

 

[Astoness]

thanks mike easy to see why someone thought it was taken in birmingham having a bull st and high street in west brom

lyn

 

[Dionysius//88]

When I first seen that photograph my first thought was West Brom after working there for some years certain aspects stick in you mind

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks all. Good to get a location. The 'Birmingham' mentioned in the caption probably refers to the tram(s) then, not the location of the photo.

 

[Lloyd]

West Bromwich. Benjamin Crowther (1844-1909) was an undertaker and general 'job master' (horse renter) and contracted to run the last horse tram service in the district for the South Staffs Tramway Company (who supplied the tramcar to him), as they felt the route (to Spon Lane) didn't warrant conversion to steam operation. It was converted to electric probably about the time of this photo.