High Street, c 1910. High St started as a track between old Sunderland near the quays to Bishopwearmouth village the best part of a mile away. The track developed westwards into a road and by 1800 all open land between the town and village had gone. Many historic buildings such as the Exchange Building (the old town hall) had been built in High St and shops and pubs were soon fighting for space. The photo gives a great impression of the variety of shops that could be found by the 1900s. Fawcett St which ran into the middle of High St was only then starting to attract the more expensive shops.
Information from Len Charlton.
