The scullery of a typical back-to-back house in Leeds, in this case being used as a bathroom. A sink can be seen on the left and a young boy is sitting in a tin bath in the centre. A fireplace is on the right but no fire appears to be lit.The scullery of a typical back-to-back house in Leeds, in this case being used as a bathroom. A sink can be seen on the left and a young boy is sitting in a tin bath in the centre. A fireplace is on the right but no fire appears to be lit.
The scullery of a typical back-to-back house in Leeds, in this case being used as a bathroom. A sink can be seen on the left and a young boy is sitting in a tin bath in the centre. A fireplace is on the right but no fire appears to be lit. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

12 rarely-seen photos take you back to Leeds in the 1950s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 21st Mar 2024, 04:45 BST

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This collection of photos takes you back to Leeds in the 1950s – although the specific year of each image is unknown.

They take you around the city's suburbs during the decade but can you add a specific date to any of the wonderful photos? Suburbs in focus include Cottingley, Burmantofts, Morley, Wortley, Rothwell, Oulton, Stourton and Temple Newsam. 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: 21 rarely-seen photos take you back to Leeds in the 1980s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP NEWSLETTERS: Sign up to free news and sport emails

A panoramic view over part of Morley from Morley Main pit tip behind old Morley gasworks. Valley Road can be seen in the foreground going diagonally across the picture from bottom right, with Valley Mills just starting on the right at the side of the gasworks. Most of the land in the middle distance is farmed as rhubarb fields with several sets of rhubarb forcing sheds being visible.

7. Leeds circa 1950s

A panoramic view over part of Morley from Morley Main pit tip behind old Morley gasworks. Valley Road can be seen in the foreground going diagonally across the picture from bottom right, with Valley Mills just starting on the right at the side of the gasworks. Most of the land in the middle distance is farmed as rhubarb fields with several sets of rhubarb forcing sheds being visible. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The projectionist at the Lyceum Picture House, George Bean, right, as he positions the lens. He had worked at the Lyceum Picture House in Cardigan Road for many years, from the early 1920s.

8. Leeds circa 1950s

The projectionist at the Lyceum Picture House, George Bean, right, as he positions the lens. He had worked at the Lyceum Picture House in Cardigan Road for many years, from the early 1920s. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Two cottages on Quarry Hill, Oulton, behind the Old Mason's Arms Inn at the junction with Aberford Road. By 1970 the cottages had been demolished and the area is now Leventhorpe Way. On the right can be seen Oulton Institute, which opened in 1897 as a single storey building, with an upper floor added in 1912. It was also known locally as Harold Hall.

9. Leeds circa 1950s

Two cottages on Quarry Hill, Oulton, behind the Old Mason's Arms Inn at the junction with Aberford Road. By 1970 the cottages had been demolished and the area is now Leventhorpe Way. On the right can be seen Oulton Institute, which opened in 1897 as a single storey building, with an upper floor added in 1912. It was also known locally as Harold Hall. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Underground workers coming off the day shift at Fanny Pit, Bullough Lane, north of Rothwell Haigh. it was previously known as Midland Pit, but became known as Fanny Pit after a new shaft was sunk in 1911. The pit closed in 1983, and the area is now part of Rothwell Country Park.

10. Leeds circa 1950s

Underground workers coming off the day shift at Fanny Pit, Bullough Lane, north of Rothwell Haigh. it was previously known as Midland Pit, but became known as Fanny Pit after a new shaft was sunk in 1911. The pit closed in 1983, and the area is now part of Rothwell Country Park. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The cottages at Dandy Row, Thwaite, alongside the River Aire. Dandy Row housed workers at Thwaite Mills, and was effectively an island, surrounded by the River Aire, the Aire & Calder Navigation, and the mill stream. They feature id displays at Thwaite Mills, now a museum, and were demolished in 1968. Skelton Grange 'A' power station is visible behind the cottages, with two cooling towers at this time.

11. Leeds circa 1950s

The cottages at Dandy Row, Thwaite, alongside the River Aire. Dandy Row housed workers at Thwaite Mills, and was effectively an island, surrounded by the River Aire, the Aire & Calder Navigation, and the mill stream. They feature id displays at Thwaite Mills, now a museum, and were demolished in 1968. Skelton Grange 'A' power station is visible behind the cottages, with two cooling towers at this time. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This view looks south east on Temple Newsam Road, where two trams can be seen at the terminus, near to Temple Newsam House. To the left can be seen the trees lining elm Walk, which leads up to Whitkirk.

12. Leeds circa 1950s

This view looks south east on Temple Newsam Road, where two trams can be seen at the terminus, near to Temple Newsam House. To the left can be seen the trees lining elm Walk, which leads up to Whitkirk. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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