BRISTOL THEN AND NOW PHOTOGRAPHS - PAGE SIX
Two photographs depicting the same view, one taken a period of time after the other, give us an instantaneous impression of ' then ' and 'now '. Some comparisons show old views that are instantly recognisable, where the natural passage of time and technology has made only slight changes. Other views illustrate major change and it can be difficult to comprehend that an area has altered so much. Unless you have lived through a change and can remember what was there before, there is often no reason to question what building was replaced or how the area functioned in the past.
THEN AND NOW - GROSVENOR ROAD - ST PAULS - 1915 - 2001
THEN - The ironmongers on right of the picture is actually two separate establishments George Lee's and Graham Smith's - Smith's was also used as a public call office this was only telephone in the area - Next to Lee's was Coombs the tailors.
NOW - The houses on the left are set back much further back from the road than their predecessors - Shops in this road now include specialist West Indian food outlets to cater for the large Afo-Caribbean community - The street also sees part of the famous St Paul's Carnival held every year.
BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - THE DOWNS - 1905 - 2001
THEN - The Downs were former common land but by the 1860s such land was beginning to be encroached upon by development - In 1861 the Clifton Downs Act secured the vast area for the public and prevented any future development.
NOW - The Downs have always been well used and are still a favoured sporting ground walking area and open space for some major weekend events and festivals - The Bristol Flower Show is held here every year.
BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - FLOATING HARBOUR - 1972 - 2001
THEN - Floating Harbour looking towards Hotwell Road - Part of Bristol's maritime history is seen here the crane is lifting a mast of the SS Great Britain - Brunel's famous iron ship in 1937 was beached in the Falkland Islands and it was from there in 1970 that the people of Bristol brought her back home to the city of her birth.
NOW - There is much less activity in the area today although Abels Shipbuilders still operate from the nearby Albion Dockyard.
BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - THE FLOATING HARBOUR - 1953 - 2001
THEN - Looking towards the Floating Harbour from the Cumberland Basin - The north side of the Basin was used for the unloading of livestock brought into the city by sea - Here the Hull-registered ship Baltkon is loaded up with hay and had probably transported cattle - The building with the pointed roof (centre of picture) is the Pump House which at one time contained hydraulic engines to provide power for bridges and docks machinery.
NOW - This view is taken from underneath the Plimsoll Bridge which opened in 1965 the bridge is named after Bristol born Sir Samuel Plimsoll whose name also describes the international load-line for sea-going vessels that he introduced in the mid-1870s - The Pump House is now a pub although hydraulic engines are still used at the Underfall Yard to provide power for some of the dock's bridges.
THEN AND NOW - EAST STREET - BEDMINSTER - 1937 - 2001
THEN - East Street looking from the London Inn this street contained many shops pubs factories and places of worship and was one of Bedminster's busiest areas.
NOW - In the postwar planning of the area in the 1960's East Street was seen as an exception to the many suburban streets that had become tired run-down and ill-used - Now partly pedestrianised it is still a busy shopping street perhaps a result of Bedminster's continuing independent spirit.
BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - DOLPHIN STREET- 1914 - 2001
THEN - Dolphin Street This short street ran from Wine Street - opposite its junction with Union Street - through to Peter Street -It only contained fourteen shops and businesses but was part of the busy shopping area - It also contained Pringle's Picture Palace named after Ralph Pringle of the North American Animated Picture Company - It was the city's second permanent cinema.
NOW - The first after-dark air raid on Bristol on 24 November 1940 - Destroyed much of the old shopping area and killed at least 200 people - Nothing remains of Dolphin Street today - The area is now Castle Park which begun in the 1970s and incorporating sculpture and artwork - Excavation also took place on the site and the remains of Bristol Castle were unearthed - Parts are still visible today and a trail explains the history of the area to visitors.
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