The Pit Hills on York Road pictured in September 1938. Buildings to left, pit hills in the foreground. At the foot of the picture is 'John William Heaps' - a two storey building with the sign on the front saying 'Heaps Motor Booking Office'The Pit Hills on York Road pictured in September 1938. Buildings to left, pit hills in the foreground. At the foot of the picture is 'John William Heaps' - a two storey building with the sign on the front saying 'Heaps Motor Booking Office'
The Pit Hills on York Road pictured in September 1938. Buildings to left, pit hills in the foreground. At the foot of the picture is 'John William Heaps' - a two storey building with the sign on the front saying 'Heaps Motor Booking Office'

19 photo gems take you down York Road in the 1930s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 16th Mar 2024, 04:45 BST

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These photos provide a fascinating insight into life along one of the busiest and most vibrant roads in Leeds.

The gallery rewinds to the 1930s and showcases a decade of memories from York Road, a route which takes you out to the east of the city covering a number of postcodes as well as communities. The main image of the Pit Hills highlights the road's links with coal mining while a number of factories lining the route - producing everything from biscuits and mineral water to uniforms and stuffing mix - also fall under the spotlight. 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: 43 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP NEWSLETTERS: Sign up for free news and sport emails

Wright Street, a street of brick built terrace houses off York Road (the junction adjacent to number 107 York Road). Wright Street was located opposite York Road swimming baths. An elderly woman, identified as Mrs. Burrows stands in the doorway of her home of number 10 Wright Street. Pictured in September 1935.

7. York Road in the 1930s

Wright Street, a street of brick built terrace houses off York Road (the junction adjacent to number 107 York Road). Wright Street was located opposite York Road swimming baths. An elderly woman, identified as Mrs. Burrows stands in the doorway of her home of number 10 Wright Street. Pictured in September 1935. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This unidentifiable view across York Road shows a stable yard and stable. There is a brick terrace house to the left. Pictured in September 1935.

8. York Road in the 1930s

This unidentifiable view across York Road shows a stable yard and stable. There is a brick terrace house to the left. Pictured in September 1935. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Benjamin Shaw and Sons Ltd, mineral water manufacturers at 405 York road. W. & R. Jacob & Co, biscuit manufacturers, can be seen on the left at 403. Pictured in September 1938.

9. York Road in the 1930s

Benjamin Shaw and Sons Ltd, mineral water manufacturers at 405 York road. W. & R. Jacob & Co, biscuit manufacturers, can be seen on the left at 403. Pictured in September 1938. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The factory premises of Stokes and Dalton, producers of Sagion stuffing mix, at the junction with Lupton Avenue. Pictured in September 1937.

10. York Road in the 1930s

The factory premises of Stokes and Dalton, producers of Sagion stuffing mix, at the junction with Lupton Avenue. Pictured in September 1937. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Buildings in a yard off York Road, possibly Joy's Fold near the junction with Marsh Lane. The area was scheduled for improvement with a lot of buildings demolished as part of the slum clearance programme. Pictured in September 1933.

11. York Road in the 1930z

Buildings in a yard off York Road, possibly Joy's Fold near the junction with Marsh Lane. The area was scheduled for improvement with a lot of buildings demolished as part of the slum clearance programme. Pictured in September 1933. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Joy's Fold, a yard off York Road near the junction with Marsh Lane. In the centre are the premises of Cecil Gilbert, shoeing smith, of no.15 Joy's Fold. These buildings were all soon to be demolished as part of the slum clearance programme in the area. Pictured in September 1935.

12. York Road in the 1930s

Joy's Fold, a yard off York Road near the junction with Marsh Lane. In the centre are the premises of Cecil Gilbert, shoeing smith, of no.15 Joy's Fold. These buildings were all soon to be demolished as part of the slum clearance programme in the area. Pictured in September 1935. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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