Th laying of tramlines at the tramway junction of Boar Lane and Briggate, which took place between September 6 and September 9, 1899. Workmen take a rest from their labour to pose for the camera. A steam tram is seen on the left where tramlines are yet to be laid. on the right is Sutton's London & Paris Mantle Warehouse at no. 73 Boar Lane.placeholder image
Th laying of tramlines at the tramway junction of Boar Lane and Briggate, which took place between September 6 and September 9, 1899. Workmen take a rest from their labour to pose for the camera. A steam tram is seen on the left where tramlines are yet to be laid. on the right is Sutton's London & Paris Mantle Warehouse at no. 73 Boar Lane.

14 evocative photos take you back to Leeds in 1899

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 9th Jan 2024, 04:45 GMT

It was a year which work to lay tramlines in Leeds city centre signalled a new age of transport.

This main image show workmen junction of Boar Lane and Briggate posing for the camera as they take a rest from their labour. It is one of 14 evocative photos celebrating a year in the life of Leeds at the end of the 1890s. 1899 is the year in focus – a 12 months of change with a city building for the future. The images are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: 10 historic photos take you back to Leeds in 1898 LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Inside the headquarters of the Yorkshire Banking Company shortly after its opening in June 1899. The architect was W.W. Gwyther and this view shows the main banking hall with the entrance facing onto City Square. The building itself was situated at the corner of Boar Lane and Bishopgate. The interior walls were decorated with pale turquoise egg shell glazed tiles with a Numidian marble dado. Mahogany fittings are visible throughout the room. Along the top edge of the view is the inside of the dome which is decorated with hand-painted glass. The Yorkshire Banking Company began in 1843 after taking over the Yorkshire District Banking Co. In 1881 the manager of the Pontefract branch was found to have stolen £40,000. The Yorkshire Banking Company came to an end in 1901, two years after the branch in view opened, joining with three other banks to form London City and Midland, and eventually becoming Midland Bank Ltd.

7. Leeds in 1899

Inside the headquarters of the Yorkshire Banking Company shortly after its opening in June 1899. The architect was W.W. Gwyther and this view shows the main banking hall with the entrance facing onto City Square. The building itself was situated at the corner of Boar Lane and Bishopgate. The interior walls were decorated with pale turquoise egg shell glazed tiles with a Numidian marble dado. Mahogany fittings are visible throughout the room. Along the top edge of the view is the inside of the dome which is decorated with hand-painted glass. The Yorkshire Banking Company began in 1843 after taking over the Yorkshire District Banking Co. In 1881 the manager of the Pontefract branch was found to have stolen £40,000. The Yorkshire Banking Company came to an end in 1901, two years after the branch in view opened, joining with three other banks to form London City and Midland, and eventually becoming Midland Bank Ltd. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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View of Aire Street cellars excavations, with workmen standing in trench and around sides. Bill posters, workman's hut and premises of Rhodes and North also in view. Pictured in May 1899.

8. Leeds in 1899

View of Aire Street cellars excavations, with workmen standing in trench and around sides. Bill posters, workman's hut and premises of Rhodes and North also in view. Pictured in May 1899. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Bishopgate Street taken during improvement works in June 1899. A partially demolished building is seen on the right; this was formerly the premises of Hepton Bros., mantle manufacturers. In the foreground, a horse-drawn cart bearing the name D. Milton of Sweet Street West, Holbeck, is loaded with wooden planks.

9. Leeds in 1899

Bishopgate Street taken during improvement works in June 1899. A partially demolished building is seen on the right; this was formerly the premises of Hepton Bros., mantle manufacturers. In the foreground, a horse-drawn cart bearing the name D. Milton of Sweet Street West, Holbeck, is loaded with wooden planks. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Cape Mills, manufacturing woollens, which was owned by four Hainsworth brothers. This section of the mills is in residential use. The lower windows are broken and the outline of a doorway, which has been filled in with stone blocks, can be seen. The mills are situated at Farsley Beck Bottom. Pictured in October 1899.

10. Leeds in 1899

Cape Mills, manufacturing woollens, which was owned by four Hainsworth brothers. This section of the mills is in residential use. The lower windows are broken and the outline of a doorway, which has been filled in with stone blocks, can be seen. The mills are situated at Farsley Beck Bottom. Pictured in October 1899. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A view of workers working on Kirkgate market extension in May 1899.

11. Leeds in 1899

A view of workers working on Kirkgate market extension in May 1899. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Building a storm culvert in the vicinity of Hunslet's Church Street in October 1899. View of work area, pipes are marked 'gas' and 'water'. Workmen can be seen, with wheelbarrows, steam crane and other equipment.

12. Leeds in 1899

Building a storm culvert in the vicinity of Hunslet's Church Street in October 1899. View of work area, pipes are marked 'gas' and 'water'. Workmen can be seen, with wheelbarrows, steam crane and other equipment. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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