Leeds in 1913: Charming photos celebrate a year in the life of your city

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 9th Aug 2023, 04:45 BST

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These charming photos take you back to Leeds in 1913.

Leeds city centre is the main focus of the images although a handful of the city’s suburbs are also featured including East End Park and Hyde Park. 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: Memories of Leeds in 1915 – A city at war and a clock on the move LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

St James Street looking north in August 1913. On the left at number 74a is St James tavern with the empty premises of Charles Thomas, former dining rooms at 72. Oxford hand laundry (prop: Mrs Porritt) can be seen to centre of photograph at 72. Children stand on cobbled road.

1. Leeds in 1913

St James Street looking north in August 1913. On the left at number 74a is St James tavern with the empty premises of Charles Thomas, former dining rooms at 72. Oxford hand laundry (prop: Mrs Porritt) can be seen to centre of photograph at 72. Children stand on cobbled road. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

A postcard with a postmark of August 21, 1913 showing buildings of Leeds University on University Road. The university's origins lie in 1874 when a textile college was opened on Cookridge Street with 24 students. The site shown here was acquired in 1877 and the buildings designed by Alfred Waterhouse began with the Clothworkers Court on the left. In 1878 the college became known as the Yorkshire College and it merged with the Medical School in 1884. An engineering department was added in 1886. The Great Hall, seen in the centre, was opened in October 1894. On April 1904 a Royal Charter was signed creating Leeds University.

2. Leeds in 1913

A postcard with a postmark of August 21, 1913 showing buildings of Leeds University on University Road. The university's origins lie in 1874 when a textile college was opened on Cookridge Street with 24 students. The site shown here was acquired in 1877 and the buildings designed by Alfred Waterhouse began with the Clothworkers Court on the left. In 1878 the college became known as the Yorkshire College and it merged with the Medical School in 1884. An engineering department was added in 1886. The Great Hall, seen in the centre, was opened in October 1894. On April 1904 a Royal Charter was signed creating Leeds University. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Looking north along Back Portland Crescent near the south entrance to St. James' Square in September 1913. Grates can be seen over cellar windows on the left of the narrow, cobbled street. A man and other blurred figures are visible. Yards with outside toilets are on the right. Washing hangs up and streetlamps can be seen. The area is now the site for Civic Hall.

3. Leeds in 1913

Looking north along Back Portland Crescent near the south entrance to St. James' Square in September 1913. Grates can be seen over cellar windows on the left of the narrow, cobbled street. A man and other blurred figures are visible. Yards with outside toilets are on the right. Washing hangs up and streetlamps can be seen. The area is now the site for Civic Hall. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

South Carnaby Street, looking south-east towards Cankerwell Lane in August 1913. Intersection of streets, houses of various sizes and styles. Left side, garden walls and fences with trees and shrubs. On right, groups of children posing on wall, dressed in period style.

4. Leeds in 1913

South Carnaby Street, looking south-east towards Cankerwell Lane in August 1913. Intersection of streets, houses of various sizes and styles. Left side, garden walls and fences with trees and shrubs. On right, groups of children posing on wall, dressed in period style. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

This view looks down Quarry Hill towards the junction with Lady Lane, to the right, and St. Peter's Street, to the left in August 1913. The junction with Templar Street is on the far right edge. In the centre is a wall separating Lady Beck from the road. To the right of the wall in front of railings are handcarts, workmen's huts and tools.

5. Leeds in 1913

This view looks down Quarry Hill towards the junction with Lady Lane, to the right, and St. Peter's Street, to the left in August 1913. The junction with Templar Street is on the far right edge. In the centre is a wall separating Lady Beck from the road. To the right of the wall in front of railings are handcarts, workmen's huts and tools. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

This view looks north towards South Carnaby Street in August 1913. Houses of varying size, with yards or gardens. Some on the left have brick out-buildings, could be outside toilets or wash-houses, that is a facility for boiling water for laundry. Chimneys can be seen, the water would be boiled in a small coal-fired boiler.

6. Leeds in 1913

This view looks north towards South Carnaby Street in August 1913. Houses of varying size, with yards or gardens. Some on the left have brick out-buildings, could be outside toilets or wash-houses, that is a facility for boiling water for laundry. Chimneys can be seen, the water would be boiled in a small coal-fired boiler. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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