A postmark of August 18, 1903 showing Briggate looking north from the junction with Boar Lane and Duncan Street. Sutton's mantle warehouse is on the corner on the left, on the site now occupied by McDonalds. Many people are out and about including a policeman in the middle of the road.placeholder image
A postmark of August 18, 1903 showing Briggate looking north from the junction with Boar Lane and Duncan Street. Sutton's mantle warehouse is on the corner on the left, on the site now occupied by McDonalds. Many people are out and about including a policeman in the middle of the road. | Artemis, Leeds City Council

Historic colour-tinted postcards put Leeds city centre landmarks in focus

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 9th Oct 2024, 04:45 GMT

They are the historic colour-tinted postcards which provide an intriguing insight into life around the city centre during the early 20th century.

A vast array of city centre landmarks ranging from Leeds General Infirmary and Kirkgate Market are featured in this collection of postcards which date from 1900 onwards. Also in focus are familiar city centre streets such as Boar Lane, Park Row, Commercial Street, Kirkgate, Briggate and Vicar Lane. The postcards are published courtesy of Artemis whose collection is housed on photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: 16 amazing photos showcase life in Leeds during the 1890s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Looking from Kirkgate across Briggate to Commercial Street circa early 1900s. Shops visible include Macdonalds on the left then Manfield & Sons, boot and shoe makers, across the road with MacGregor and Grant Ltd., merchant tailors, above. An early motor car is seen on Kirkgate while a tram travels along Briggate.

19. Kirkgate

Looking from Kirkgate across Briggate to Commercial Street circa early 1900s. Shops visible include Macdonalds on the left then Manfield & Sons, boot and shoe makers, across the road with MacGregor and Grant Ltd., merchant tailors, above. An early motor car is seen on Kirkgate while a tram travels along Briggate. | Artemis, Leeds City Council Photo: Artemis, Leeds City Council

Photo Sales
Looking north along Lower Briggate. On the left is Smith's Hotel and Restaurant. Further on, John Dyson & Son, watchmakers, has a large advertisement on the side of the building. On the right is Brook's hairdressers followed by the Royal Hotel and Joseph Couldwell & Son, wallpaper factors. Dating from the late 19th/early 20th century.

20. Lower Briggate

Looking north along Lower Briggate. On the left is Smith's Hotel and Restaurant. Further on, John Dyson & Son, watchmakers, has a large advertisement on the side of the building. On the right is Brook's hairdressers followed by the Royal Hotel and Joseph Couldwell & Son, wallpaper factors. Dating from the late 19th/early 20th century. | Artemis, Leeds City Council Photo: Artemis, Leeds City Council

Photo Sales
New Briggate with a postmark of 1905. The view looks north and shows the junction with Cross Belgrave Street on the left. Beside this is the Universal Furnishing Company, cabinet makers, then Rothwell's carpets and rugs.

21. New Briggate

New Briggate with a postmark of 1905. The view looks north and shows the junction with Cross Belgrave Street on the left. Beside this is the Universal Furnishing Company, cabinet makers, then Rothwell's carpets and rugs. | Artemis, Leeds City Council Photo: Artemis, Leeds City Council

Photo Sales
Oxford Place Methodist Chapel with a postmark of August 5, 1907. The view looks across Victoria Square at the front of the Town Hall, past the statue of Robert Peel on the right. The original chapel on Oxford Place had been built in 1835 but by 1896 had become inadequate for the growing population, so work began on new premises designed by Danby & Thorpe of Leeds. Despite suffering fire damage in 1911 this church survives to this day and is now a listed building.

22. Oxford Place Methodist Chapel

Oxford Place Methodist Chapel with a postmark of August 5, 1907. The view looks across Victoria Square at the front of the Town Hall, past the statue of Robert Peel on the right. The original chapel on Oxford Place had been built in 1835 but by 1896 had become inadequate for the growing population, so work began on new premises designed by Danby & Thorpe of Leeds. Despite suffering fire damage in 1911 this church survives to this day and is now a listed building. | Artemis, Leeds City Council Photo: Artemis, Leeds City Council

Photo Sales
Looking north along Park Row, dating from the late 19th or early 20th century before the old St. Anne's Cathedral, seen in the background, was demolished in 1904. On the right are the Royal Insurance Buildings at no. 10; further along on the same side is Archibald Ramsden Ltd., music warehouse, at no. 12. Businesses on the left hand side include William Kettlewell & Son, upholsterers at no. 29 in the distance.

23. Park Row

Looking north along Park Row, dating from the late 19th or early 20th century before the old St. Anne's Cathedral, seen in the background, was demolished in 1904. On the right are the Royal Insurance Buildings at no. 10; further along on the same side is Archibald Ramsden Ltd., music warehouse, at no. 12. Businesses on the left hand side include William Kettlewell & Son, upholsterers at no. 29 in the distance. | Artemis, Leeds City Council Photo: Artemis, Leeds City Council

Photo Sales
Kirkgate Market Hall on the corner of Vicar Lane, left, and Kirkgate, right. The market was opened on 1st July 1904 replacing an earlier covered market which dated back to 1857; its architects John and Joseph Leeming of Halifax had won a competition to design the building. A number of people can be seen in the picture, including a policeman in the centre of the road; their clothes would indicate a date of around the early 20th century.

24. Kirkgate Market

Kirkgate Market Hall on the corner of Vicar Lane, left, and Kirkgate, right. The market was opened on 1st July 1904 replacing an earlier covered market which dated back to 1857; its architects John and Joseph Leeming of Halifax had won a competition to design the building. A number of people can be seen in the picture, including a policeman in the centre of the road; their clothes would indicate a date of around the early 20th century. | Artemis, Leeds City Council Photo: Artemis, Leeds City Council

Photo Sales
Previous
4 / 4
Next Page
Related topics:Leeds
Celebrating 135 years of telling Leeds' stories
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice