The bridge in the distance is lost in mist. In this 1920s photo St. Mary's RC church spires are on the left. The busy church was virtually opposite the Grand Hotel,a tempting drinking spot after 11 o'clock mass.
Photo Norman Kirtlan. Information Len Charlton.
An imaginative drawing of the new station entrance in in High Street West in (1879). The trains ran under the building to the sunken platforms under a cast iron and glass canopy seen behind. Starting with the front railed area, the station gradually became shops, the main buildings being demolished in the 1960s.
Photo Norman Kirtlan. Information Len Charlton.
In the early 1900s shop facades were ornate and decorative. windows, often lit by external gas lanterns, displayed expensive goods, the owner would often be present and shopping was a leisurely and very personal experience. The days of bulk sales, psecial offers and multi-nationals were still far away. Binns on the left would grow to take over both sides of this part of Fawcett St.
Photo Norman Kirtlan. Information Len Charlton.
Union St running into High St West. The corner of the new station (built 1879) is on the right and Lockhart's Cocoa Rooms are opposite. Cocoa was a popular Victorian drink and Lockharts had several cafes in town.
Photo Norman Kirtlan. Information Len Charlton.
Sunderland Station after the canopy roof was removed. A well directed bomb in 1941 blew a wagon from the tracks through the roof into Joseph's shop (centre) in Union St. The gap in the old roof girder is still visible. The popular White's Covered Market is still behind Joseph's shop here but the whole area will soon become part of the Bridges Centre.
Photo Norman Kirtlan. Information Len Charlton.
