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 - VICTORIA PARK - 1910 - 2001
THEN - By late nineteenth century there was concern that the growing suburbs would engulf every available piece of land with housing and factories - To stop this large areas of land were purchased by the corporation and public parks established - Covering 51 acres Victoria Park was the second largest of Bristol's suburban parks (Eastville was the largest at 70 acres).
NOW - This part of the park has lost some of its original furniture but Victoria Park still provides a welcome area of open space and spectacular views over the city.
BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - VAUXHALL BRIDGE - 1901 - 2001
THEN - This footbridge spans the River Avon between Coronation Road and Cumberland Road its length is 270 ft and was first opened in 1900 at a cost of £10,000 - To allow ships to pass through the bridge had a swinging action worked by a hydraulic ram - Residents living in Southville found this bridge very handy for crossing over into the city.
NOW - Loss of river trade in the 1920s means the bridge is no longer required to swing open - But it still fulfils its basic purpose as a river crossing and sees hundreds of pedestrians and cyclists using it on a daily route to work.
BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - VICTORIA STREET - 1905 - 2001
THEN - Looking towards Bristol Bridge - Victoria Street was created in 1871 using parts of the much older Temple Street to provide a direct route from Temple Meads into the the city - The buildings along the route included retail warehouses such as T.C. Stock's paperhangings and the India Rubber Company - On the opposite side was E.S. & A. Robinson packaging company - The Bute Arms public-house is next to a building shared by the National Cash Register Company and dentist F.C. Wasley who advertised artificial teeth.
NOW - Many of the buildings were badly damaged in the Blitz - Redevelopment after the war included a purpose built office block for E.S. & A. Robinson to replace their former premises it was Bristol's first high-rise office building.
BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - TOTTERDOWN - 1932 - 2001
THEN - The rising land of Totterdown was largely bare until the arrival of the station at Temple Meads led to the establishment of railway worker's cottages - Improved public transport particularly tram routes to the area from 1900 led to further development and a new community grew up - This view shows Holy Nativity Church before its tower was constructed in 1931.
NOW - Much of the area near the Three Lamps including the Bush Hotel was cleared in the late 1960s for a new road system although the original plans were never realised - New development has since occurred and the Bush has been reincarnated as a modern pub on the opposite side of the road - Holy Nativity was heavily bombed in the war but the tower survived and remains a prominent south bristol landmark but the main body of the church has since been rebuilt..
THEN AND NOW - WESTBURY - ON - TRYM - 1937 - 2001
THEN - A peaceful view of the village looking towards Westbury Hill the village served local residents and was the nearest source of provisions for rural farming families - The Foresters Arms public-house replaced an older building of the same name in 1935.
NOW - Redevelopment has occurred but the village atmosphere remains - Westbury still has all the shops a village could need with older favourites such as Mogford the ironmongers still trading - A current threat to the status quo but facing resistance from locals comes Sainsburys who want to build a large supermarket in the village.
BRISTOL THEN AND NOW - WINE STREET - 1927 - 2001
THEN - Looking along Wine Street from the top of Union Street with Christ Church in the distance - This was one of Bristol's main shopping streets before the Second World War every building apart from the church was destroyed in the Blitz - The street was home to 60 shops and business such as H. Samuel the jewellers and Dolcis Shoe Company plus Verriers the drapers.
NOW - Bombing reduced this street to rubble - One side has been replaced with modern shops and office blocks the other side is Castle Park an open green space.
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Memories of Bristol over the past 100 years including 3000 photographs on-line
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