Long shot of stone built cottages on Scotland Mill Lane in September 1959. On the left are numbers 6 to 3 with numbers 2 and 1 seen towards the right, lower with protruding outbuildings. The cottages were originally built to house Scotland Millworkers. The mill itself burnt down in 1906.placeholder image
Long shot of stone built cottages on Scotland Mill Lane in September 1959. On the left are numbers 6 to 3 with numbers 2 and 1 seen towards the right, lower with protruding outbuildings. The cottages were originally built to house Scotland Millworkers. The mill itself burnt down in 1906. | West Yorkshire Archive Service

14 ace photos take you back to Adel in the 1950s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 30th Apr 2024, 04:45 GMT

These photos put the ace into Adel as they chart a decade in the life of the Leeds suburb.

The turn back the clock to the 1950s and showcase a community building for the future while preserving its past. Landmarks, new housing estates and well travelled roads are all in focus. The images are a mix from West Yorkshire Archive Service and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: The story of a Leeds landmark which claimed the lives of more than 20 men LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

A view looking west along Farrar Lane, with Adel Water Tower in the background. Dry stone walls divide up the fields on the right. Pictured in October 1951.

7. Adel in the 1950s

A view looking west along Farrar Lane, with Adel Water Tower in the background. Dry stone walls divide up the fields on the right. Pictured in October 1951. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A view looking east down Farrar Lane. A lamp post is to the right in front of some houses. The photo has been altered to show proposed road widening. Pictured in October 1951.

8. Adel in the 1950s

A view looking east down Farrar Lane. A lamp post is to the right in front of some houses. The photo has been altered to show proposed road widening. Pictured in October 1951. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This photo from September 1959 looks across open grassland towards Scotland Mill Cottages, which are visible towards the right. Lines of washing can be seen amidst ruins which presumably were part of Scotland Mill which burnt down in 1906.

9. Adel in the 1950s

This photo from September 1959 looks across open grassland towards Scotland Mill Cottages, which are visible towards the right. Lines of washing can be seen amidst ruins which presumably were part of Scotland Mill which burnt down in 1906. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A view looking east down Farrar Lane. The photo has been altered to show proposed road widening. Pictured in October 1951.

10. Adel in the 1950s

A view looking east down Farrar Lane. The photo has been altered to show proposed road widening. Pictured in October 1951. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Adel Lane in February 1954. On the right are three houses in individual styles behind low stone walls, the nearest is brick and probably detached. The far houses are covered by the trees and some shrubs. The mock tudor house on the left is also mainly covered by trees.The distant view is thickly wooded but a parked car and a lamp post can be seen in the distance. The stone surrounded plot of land in the foreground has a row of brussel sprouts growing on it.

11. Adel in the 1950s

Adel Lane in February 1954. On the right are three houses in individual styles behind low stone walls, the nearest is brick and probably detached. The far houses are covered by the trees and some shrubs. The mock tudor house on the left is also mainly covered by trees.The distant view is thickly wooded but a parked car and a lamp post can be seen in the distance. The stone surrounded plot of land in the foreground has a row of brussel sprouts growing on it. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Nos. 43 to 47 Gainsborough Avenue in February 1954. This view looks north towards the junction with Kingsley Drive. The roads are unmade and muddy. A pram is outside a semi-detached house on the left.

12. Adel in the 1950s

Nos. 43 to 47 Gainsborough Avenue in February 1954. This view looks north towards the junction with Kingsley Drive. The roads are unmade and muddy. A pram is outside a semi-detached house on the left. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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