See Birmingham by Post Card

[Phil]

Mike

Its true what you say, I have seen pole ladders, as heavy as they are blow over in high winds and whilst they were being footed. If I used one I would always lash the top to something the first time up it.

Phil

 

[motorman-mike]

....and now for a completely different view of Birmingham or should I say it's Birmingham folks but not as we know it. Here is an early 1900's view of our namesake in Alabama, USA. (I was tempted to post it as a 'Where is this?' but thought it would be a might too easy fer y'all )

 

[motorman-mike]

'Underneath the Arches' goes an old song but in July 1907 in Brum arches appeared in the streets to welcome a Royal visit. Here are four of them.

 

[OtherHalf]

nice pictures Mike seem to remember one from an earlier post that caused a few head aches lol

 

[Richie]

....and now for a completely different view of Birmingham or should I say it's Birmingham folks but not as we know it. Here is an early 1900's view of our namesake in Alabama, USA. (I was tempted to post it as a 'Where is this?' but thought it would be a might too easy fer y'all

)

Mike,
Is this the same photo our own Birmingham City Council used on their leaflets recently to promote the Parks and Community Services?

Richie

 

[motorman-mike]

Richie, sorry I can't answer that one as I didn't get to see the leaflets you mention. Maybe someone else could tell us.
Mike

 

[Phil]

Its very hard to find a photo to put on here now, its a weekends work to check to see if its been on before.

I don't think this one has, the canals off Broad Street before the renovation. They look a little different now.

Phil

 

[OtherHalf]

as Pmc said takes too long now what a great thread lol my apologies if this has been on before but just found a couple of old postcards pics so have put em on

 

[Ann B]

Hope I'm not duplicating. Martineau Street 1939.

Ann

 

[Ann B]

Edmund Street Birmingham University abt. 1925.

Ann

 

[Rupert]

Great Pictures Ann. Have not seen either before. The Martineau Street one must be looking down towards Dale End. I was around in 1939 but only a baby but remember the terminus for the 10 tram well. The opening on the left must have been the rest of Union Passage that went to Bull Street possibly. It would have been cut when Martineau St. was put in.
The picture of Edmund Street...well what can you say...irrevocably lost to silliness. They could still be around to delight us today but we have all been there before.

 

[Ann B]

Rupert,

I would think that it is Martineau Street looking down to Dale End.
And the Edmund Street photo makes me sad. If only they could have left this area of Birmingham alone, by the Council House, Paradise Street etc., and Brum could have still looked like an historic city. But, as you say.....

Ann

One of Victoria Square (Then Council House Square) The Festival of 1888.

 

[Ann B]

The Bull Ring in 1939

Ann

 

[Rupert]

Stunning pictures Ann...simply stunning.

 

[Ann B]

Thank you Rupert. Glad you enjoyed them.

Ann

And two more. Corporation Street and Bull Street Junction in 1930. And Bull Street looking from High Street abt. 1888.

 

[Rupert]

Wow! what jems. Two way traffic on Corporation Street and NO Rackhams. The one of Dale End is simply marvelous...what can you say...even a cartload of coal.

In the distance at the top of Bull Street you can just vaguely pick out what was before Lewis's possibly.

 

[Ann B]

There is a lot going on in both those photos, Rupert. That's what I like about them.

Ann

 

[Ann B]

The Old Square, with Upper Priory on the right, about 1890.
And The Old Square from Corporation Street about 1903.

Ann

 

[motorman-mike]

Who remembers the old Sodazone in Broad Street then?. This view dates back to the 1950's.

 

[Stitcher]

I like that of Broad St Mike.

 

[motorman-mike]

I like that of Broad St Mike.

Thanks, Trevor, it seemed a much more relaxed atmosphere there at that time to my mind.
Mike

 

[OtherHalf]

a couple more the Grand Hotel and the Gpo building

 

[jennyann]

Great photos, thanks for posting them. The one of Broad Street is
taken from a different angle to those I have seen before. We used to go and get our ration books renewed at the building on the left hand side with the pillars. Is the green area with the seats at the end called the Peace Garden?

 

[maggs]

Love that pic of Broad St Mike. Was it all better then? Well to me it was.

 

[maggs]

I remember going there for the ration books too Jennyann. I loved the area around there in those days. I was told that with all those bright whiteish buildings Brum city was sometimes called 'Little Jerusalem' does anyone else remember that saying?

 

[Fashionz]

The 110 does go to Tamworth via Gravelly Hill, Erdington and Sutton Coldfield. Takes our mom about one and half hours to get to our house from Saltley.

 

[Jemina]

has anyone ever heard about Days Concert Hall in Birmingham in the 1930s

Jemina

 

[Phil]

Jemina

Days Crystal Palace Concert Hall was opened on the 18th of October 1862 on the former site of The White Swan public House Smallbrook St. Thats all the information I have.

Phil

 

[mikejee]

By 1921 it had become the Empire theatre, which disappeared soon after 1940
mike

 

[Richie]

Jemima and Mike Jee,

You will find as a helpful companion the following link:

www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Birmingham/EmpirePalaceTheatreBirmingham.htm

That link will also provide you with a wealth of detail regarding theatres and music halls not only in Birmingham but throughout the country which were built in Victorian and Edwardian days, some of which exist in differing uses to the current day.

Incidentally, I'm assisting the owner of the site Matthew Lloyd, the great-grandson of the theatre impresario whose name is that of the title, in his modern research of theatres which became cinemas, mostly those in Central London. If anyone has any actual artefacts of Birmingham venues especially from the very early days, Mr.Lloyd via his website would be very keen to hear.

Richie.