Boar Lane in Leeds city centre showing shops; Elsters, J. Jones, The National Provincial Bank, the Westminster Bank and the Cooperative Building Society. Pictured in April 1951.placeholder image
Boar Lane in Leeds city centre showing shops; Elsters, J. Jones, The National Provincial Bank, the Westminster Bank and the Cooperative Building Society. Pictured in April 1951. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Intriguing pictures show life in Leeds during the 1950s

By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 26th Jan 2020, 06:00 GMT
Updated 13th Feb 2020, 10:50 GMT

These photos turn back the clock to showcase life around Leeds during the 1950s.

They turn on the spotlight on a decade which saw the city clear slums and build for the future. The images are a mix from the YEP archive and 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. CHANGING LEEDS: Corn Exchange | City Square | Vicar Lane | Dark Arches LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Recently built houses on Allerton Grange Rise. The road is unmade. Pictured in August 1964.

7. Moortown

Recently built houses on Allerton Grange Rise. The road is unmade. Pictured in August 1964. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Back Mount Pleasant in August 1954 looking west onto Lingwell Crescent. Children are playing in the street, with a bicycle and tricycle in the background.

8. Middleton

Back Mount Pleasant in August 1954 looking west onto Lingwell Crescent. Children are playing in the street, with a bicycle and tricycle in the background. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Old Run Road in January 1956 looking north towards Moor Road. Engine farm is to the left of the photograph.

9. Hunslet

Old Run Road in January 1956 looking north towards Moor Road. Engine farm is to the left of the photograph. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The Black Bull Hotel on Hunslet Road in June 1951. The hotel is a Magnet and John Smiths brewery and has it written on the front of the building.

10. Hunslet

The Black Bull Hotel on Hunslet Road in June 1951. The hotel is a Magnet and John Smiths brewery and has it written on the front of the building. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Back Easy Road, seen in centre, taken from an area known locally as 'the quarry'. This locality housed an assortment of piggeries, henruns and stables. The white building is the rear of East Leeds Working Men's Club. Pictured in July 1851

11. Cross Green

Back Easy Road, seen in centre, taken from an area known locally as 'the quarry'. This locality housed an assortment of piggeries, henruns and stables. The white building is the rear of East Leeds Working Men's Club. Pictured in July 1851 | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The L.N.E.R. Railway Bridge over the Horsforth Ring Road between Horsforth and West Park, looking north-east. A tree is to the right, an electricity pylon is in the centre and a signal box and commercial buildings are to the left. Pictured in May 1954.

12. Horsforth

The L.N.E.R. Railway Bridge over the Horsforth Ring Road between Horsforth and West Park, looking north-east. A tree is to the right, an electricity pylon is in the centre and a signal box and commercial buildings are to the left. Pictured in May 1954. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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