The junction of Mabgate, left, with St. Mary's Street, right, in September 1919. Children gather on the corner in front of a shop which is boarded up (B. Bianchi's) as are other properties on Mabgate. These very old cruck framed timber houses, which could even be from the medieval period, were due to be demolished. Rows of brick built two-storey back-to-back terraced houses lead up the hill on St Mary's Street.placeholder image
The junction of Mabgate, left, with St. Mary's Street, right, in September 1919. Children gather on the corner in front of a shop which is boarded up (B. Bianchi's) as are other properties on Mabgate. These very old cruck framed timber houses, which could even be from the medieval period, were due to be demolished. Rows of brick built two-storey back-to-back terraced houses lead up the hill on St Mary's Street.

Historic photos take you back to Mabgate in the 1910s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 30th Jan 2024, 04:45 GMT

It’s the inner-city suburb whose name comes from 'Mab', meaning a prostitute and 'gate' meaning a street.

This wonderful mini-gallery of memories takes you back to Mabgate in the 1910s with construction and demolition two recurring themes of the decade. The photos feature construction of new roads and a new subway under Regent Street while workmen with rulers measure up ahead of knocking down the old ready for the new. 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: 12 eerie photos of corner of Leeds known as ‘a dank district in that uninviting city’ LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Mabgate Green in September 1911. A woman, baby and child in period dress stand on corner of two storey brick buildings. Two workmen, one up ladder, measure building height with pole.

7. Mabgate in the 1910s

Mabgate Green in September 1911. A woman, baby and child in period dress stand on corner of two storey brick buildings. Two workmen, one up ladder, measure building height with pole. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Hope Road on the left and Millwright Street on the right. Two men hold a surveyors ruler to measure the height of the building on the corner. One man holds the ruler at the base while the other stands at the top of a ladder and supports the top of the ruler. This man's head is not showing on the photograph. The building behind has been boarded up and registers on the ruler as 17 feet tall. Pictured in June 1916.

8. Mabgate in the 1910s

Hope Road on the left and Millwright Street on the right. Two men hold a surveyors ruler to measure the height of the building on the corner. One man holds the ruler at the base while the other stands at the top of a ladder and supports the top of the ruler. This man's head is not showing on the photograph. The building behind has been boarded up and registers on the ruler as 17 feet tall. Pictured in June 1916. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Construction of a subway under Regent Street in May 1910. This was part of the creation of New York Road between North Street and Regent Street, following the line of the existing Hope Street. Plant machinery can be seen on trackway on the left.

9. Mabgate in the 1910s

Construction of a subway under Regent Street in May 1910. This was part of the creation of New York Road between North Street and Regent Street, following the line of the existing Hope Street. Plant machinery can be seen on trackway on the left. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A property on St Mary's Street is being measured prior to demolition in October 1911. A group of women look on.

10. Mabgate in the 1910s

A property on St Mary's Street is being measured prior to demolition in October 1911. A group of women look on. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Construction of roundabout (circus) at the junction of Quarry Hill, Mabgate and Regent Street, continuation of New York Road, following line of Hope Street. View from Regent Street across Mabgate. Round corner building at the end of Mabgate is James Drewery Chemist. In the centre, a heavy plant machine appears to have been derailed, the axle is tilted into the excavation. a horse and cart, sheds, steam machinery can be seen. Name of contractor is on a board, 'David Speight and Sons, Paviors and contractors, Canal Basin, Leeds'. Pictured in June 1910.

11. Mabgate in the 1910s

Construction of roundabout (circus) at the junction of Quarry Hill, Mabgate and Regent Street, continuation of New York Road, following line of Hope Street. View from Regent Street across Mabgate. Round corner building at the end of Mabgate is James Drewery Chemist. In the centre, a heavy plant machine appears to have been derailed, the axle is tilted into the excavation. a horse and cart, sheds, steam machinery can be seen. Name of contractor is on a board, 'David Speight and Sons, Paviors and contractors, Canal Basin, Leeds'. Pictured in June 1910. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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