The Changing Face of Bristol & its People

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.

BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - TEMPLE MEADS - 1917 - 2001

THEN - Temple Meads this was the original railway station built between 1839 - 1841 when the line from London to Bristol engineered by the young Isambard Kingdom Brunel was constructed - Its Tudor-style facade of Bath stone proudly displays the company name and the arms of the cities of Bristol and London - The bridge in the distance carried the harbour railway that transported goods between the docks and Temple Meads.

NOW -The current Temple Meads station was built in the 1870s as the railway expanded and other companies became involved - The old station now houses the Empire and Commonwealth Museum and a children's nursery - The shed behind the facade is ideal for holding fairs and events - Two other buildings in this picture may also see a change of use - The sadly neglected and run-down George and Railway public-house and former Grosvenor Hotel - both formerly busy and high-class establishments - may be renovated for office use.

THEN AND NOW - ST GEORGE PARK AND LAKE - 1920 - 2001

THEN - This park was first created in 1897 to provide the working-class suburbs with a healthier alternative to the lure of the public-house.

NOW - The trees are now fully mature and the lake is still a popular feature.

BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - ST JAMES BARTON - 1938 - 2001

THEN - Looking towards North Street and the Full Moon Inn this pub was once an important coaching inn and a hostelry there has been an inn on the same site since the 14th century - It was surrounded by shops and businesses before the Second World War.

NOW - The area sustained heavy war damage and during the 1950s much of St James Barton and North Street was cleared - A new roundabout with pedestrian underpasses was built - A huge office block and car park complex and a considerably wider road were added in the 1970s - The offices have recently seen a peculiar transformation from a drab grey block that no one wanted into a complex of apartments for modern urban living.

BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - ST GEORGES ROAD - 1939 - 2001

THEN - Looking towards College Green along St Georges Road - The distinctive terrace named Victoria Buildings curves from the bottom of Jacobs Wells Road once named Woodwell Road when it was first built - It comprised of 16 shops and 3 pubs - the Wheatsheaf - Myrtle Tree and the American Eagle.

NOW - The Myrtle Tree remains but the American Eagle is now known as the Bag O' Nails - Three units of the terrace have been lost including the one that formerly housed the Wheatsheaf.

THEN AND NOW - ST GEORGE FOUNTAIN JUNCTION - 1935 - 2001

THEN - The fountain at the junction of Clouds Hill Road and Summerhill Road was used in the days when the horse was the main form of transport.

NOW - Not much change in this picture but the fountain is now unused with a obvious transformation into a flower tub.

BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - ST AUGUSTINE'S REACH - 1955 - 2001

THEN - Looking towards the Centre and St Stephen's Church - The Reach was first constructed in 1239 by diverting the River Frome a tremendous achievement at such a time - The ship in this picture is the Frisco registered in Oslo it bought woodpulp from Scandinavia to be taken by barge to the papermills in St Annes.

NOW - Some of the quayside warehouses and transit sheds remain now converted to a different use and pleasure craft have taken the place of cargo ships.

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