Photo gems from Leeds in 1904: Roundhay Park, Corn Exchange and Swinegate in focus

Enjoy a stroll down memory lane as these photo gems showcase a year in the life of Leeds in the early 1990s.

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 7th Jun 2023, 04:45 BST

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This gallery turns back the clock to 1904 and showcase life around the city as well as focusing on landmarks such as Roundhay Park, Corn Exchange and Swinegate. 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: Historic postcards sent from Leeds with love LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Postcard with a postmark of August 19, 1904 looking out over Roundhay Park from The Mansion. This former medieval hunting park had been transformed in the early 19th century by its then owners the Nicholson family before being bought at auction in 1871 by Leeds Corporation for the people of Leeds. A competition to design the landscape of the park was won by architect George Corson, but in the end although some of his proposals influenced the layout of the park few were fully implemented.

1. Leeds in 1904

Postcard with a postmark of August 19, 1904 looking out over Roundhay Park from The Mansion. This former medieval hunting park had been transformed in the early 19th century by its then owners the Nicholson family before being bought at auction in 1871 by Leeds Corporation for the people of Leeds. A competition to design the landscape of the park was won by architect George Corson, but in the end although some of his proposals influenced the layout of the park few were fully implemented. Photo: Artemis, Leeds City Council

The south side of Swinegate in August 1904 immediately before demolition for street improvements. From left to right is Marks Liberson, Cabinet maker; Ye Olde Dustye Miller Inn; Beechcroft, clothiers' engineers; Thomas Waite, Leeds Art Metal Worker; Wallis and Watson, electrical engineers; British United Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd.; J.W. Gadsby, perambulator manufacturer and furniture showroom. All these premises are vacant.

2. Leeds in 1904

The south side of Swinegate in August 1904 immediately before demolition for street improvements. From left to right is Marks Liberson, Cabinet maker; Ye Olde Dustye Miller Inn; Beechcroft, clothiers' engineers; Thomas Waite, Leeds Art Metal Worker; Wallis and Watson, electrical engineers; British United Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd.; J.W. Gadsby, perambulator manufacturer and furniture showroom. All these premises are vacant. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Ye Olde Dustye Miller Inn on Swinegate. The landlord had been William Jackson. To the right, no.10 Thomas Beecroft & Co. electro platers and engineers.

3. Leeds in 1904

Ye Olde Dustye Miller Inn on Swinegate. The landlord had been William Jackson. To the right, no.10 Thomas Beecroft & Co. electro platers and engineers. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

A colour-tinted postcard of the Corn Exchange with a postmark 25th November 1904. The Corn Exchange was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and opened on 28th July 1863. Two open-top trams are seen outside, no. 233 and no. 113.

4. Leeds in 1904

A colour-tinted postcard of the Corn Exchange with a postmark 25th November 1904. The Corn Exchange was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and opened on 28th July 1863. Two open-top trams are seen outside, no. 233 and no. 113. Photo: Artemis, Leeds City Council

The Regent at Chapel Allerton.

5. Leeds in 1904

The Regent at Chapel Allerton. Photo: YPN

Briggate in March 1904.

6. Leeds in 1904

Briggate in March 1904. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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