It was a decade in which the first council houses were built in the city and St James's Hospital was founded. Indeed as a nation it started with a ‘boom’ - the First World War had ended in victory, peace had returned and with it, prosperity. Yet it ended in an almighty 'bust', the likes of which weren’t to be seen again for another eighty years. These images turn the clock back to life in city centre during the era and feature landmarks familiar to this day. These images are from 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: Fantastic photos show life in Leeds during the 1910s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
. Leeds city centre in the 1920s
Enjoy this gallery of photos showcasing life in Leeds city centre in the 1920s. PICS: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. October 1928
The corner of Albion Street and Guildford Street with the Commercial Hotel on the corner, and Guildford chambers to the left. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. October 1928
Calverley Street. This view looks down the Headrow towards Briggate. The narrowness of what was Park Lane is clearly shown. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. October 1928
Looking up Mark Lane from New Briggate. Halfords Cycle Company Ltd can be seen from the corner with Greenhills Tailors visible on upper level. Other shops include Boots Direct Ltd, Blooms Opticians and George Ashworth. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. October 1928
Shops on Upperhead Row. Pictured, right to left, is entrance to Osborn Court with Joseph Beacock Chemist, J R Teale and Son, cabinet makers & upholsterers next door, and Central Electric Company on the junction with Woodhouse Lane. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. October 1928
Guildford Street, home to various businesses. On the Junction of Guildford Street and Woodhouse Lane. Tower of Town Hall can be seen in left in the distance. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. October 1928
Hoardings around the site of Leeds Permanent Building Society looking from Guildford Street, which was later renamed The Headrow. | jpimedia Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. October 1928
Alexander Street from Park Lane. Whartons Hotel can be seen on left with Pitman's Business School on right. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. August 1920
Hirst Square on St. James Street. Businesses featured are Robert Scaife, Automobile repairer workshop on left. J Burrow, clothier, Leeds Undertakers office. These properties were later demolished for the site of Leeds Civic Hall. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. October 1925
The Headrow, and the junction with East Parade and Calverley Street. This view looks eastward from the position in front of the Town Hall. East Parade can be seen on the right. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. September 1928
A view of Lower Headrow looking north west. This photos was taken prior to the widening and redevelopment of The Headrow. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. November 1929
Wade Lane looking towards Merrion Street. On the right is junction with St John's Place. Millers Lock's Ltd (12 Wade Lane) has closed down and has a poster advertising that business has transferred to 12 Merrion Street. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. April 1924
A view looking down Lady Lane to St Peter's Street. Junction on the left is Edward Street with factory of Henry Thorne. Sign advertising Cocoa can be partly seen on wall. The junction on the right is with Harewood Street. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. October 1929
The junction of The Headrow and Vicar Lane. Pictured are two versions of Lloyds Bank. The building on the corner was put up around 1908, to the right new branch is being built. Original was to be demolished for widening of Headrow. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. July 1928
Properties in Back Virginia Street looking from the direction of Prussia Street to Virginia Cross Street. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. June 1929
Little Templar Street. Situated off Templar Street, the property on the right has been demolished leaving an area of cleared ground. Houses on the left are derelict. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. July 1927
A row of three-storey terraced buildings on Prussia Street, which ran between Lady Lane and Nelson Street. The brick-built buildings look to be unused with some smashed and boarded up windows | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. April 1925
Bradleys Yard off Lower Headrow. Have you spotted the man standing in a doorway to a building? This was premises of J.H. Broadbent, shopfitter. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. April 1924
Park Lane. At the junction with Cookridge Street on the right. The corner of Park Row is to the left of the photo. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. February 1924
The south-west side of Merrion Street looking from just after the junction with Woodhouse Lane towards New Briggate. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. November 1929
Wade Lane corner with Mark Lane. On left Frank Somers, Veterinary Surgeon on corner with John Cox, shopkeeper next door. This area was cleared to make way for Lewis's department store which was opened on September 17, 1932. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. May 1924
This is Birch Yard, a narrow alleyway looking south towards Lower Headrow. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. July 1928
Harrison's Yard, off Back Harrison Street behind the Lower Headrow. Demolition has already started to the left with pile of bricks and rubble left. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
. May 1928
Unicorn Yard, off the Lower Headrow just prior to demolition looking south towards the lower Headrow. The building at the end is the back of Youngmans Fisheries, part of the former Unicorn Inn. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
1. October 1928
The corner of Albion Street and Guildford Street with the Commercial Hotel on the corner, and Guildford chambers to the left. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. October 1928
Calverley Street. This view looks down the Headrow towards Briggate. The narrowness of what was Park Lane is clearly shown. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
3. October 1928
Looking up Mark Lane from New Briggate. Halfords Cycle Company Ltd can be seen from the corner with Greenhills Tailors visible on upper level. Other shops include Boots Direct Ltd, Blooms Opticians and George Ashworth. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
4. October 1928
Shops on Upperhead Row. Pictured, right to left, is entrance to Osborn Court with Joseph Beacock Chemist, J R Teale and Son, cabinet makers & upholsterers next door, and Central Electric Company on the junction with Woodhouse Lane. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
5. October 1928
Guildford Street, home to various businesses. On the Junction of Guildford Street and Woodhouse Lane. Tower of Town Hall can be seen in left in the distance. | other Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
6. October 1928
Hoardings around the site of Leeds Permanent Building Society looking from Guildford Street, which was later renamed The Headrow. | jpimedia Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net