13 amazing photos of York & North Yorkshire over the last 150 years

You’ll see much that has changed - and in some cases – much that has not!

Author: Richard GriffinPublished 22nd Aug 2022
Last updated 2nd Sep 2022

Fancy a fascinating insight into the history of York & North Yorkshire? We've gathered together some incredible old photographs of the area including city streets in Victorian times, rooftop views across Selby & York and a familiar view of Thirsk that seems almost untouched by time.

Scroll on for a collection of old photos of our area through the years - from the 1850s through to the mid-twentieth century.

York Railway Station, 1858

The first York railway station opened in 1839. It was a temporary building on Queen Street outside the walls of the city. It was replaced in 1841 by a permanent construction at the junction of Toft Green, Tanner Row and Station Rise inside the city walls. That in turn was replaced with the present York railway station – back outside the walls - in 1877.

York’s Ouse Bridge, 1880

The view from King's Staith towards the Ouse bridge.

York City Walls, 1890

There have been walls of some sort round the city since Roman times. Much of what we see today was built in medieval times. The walls were restored in the Victorian period after falling into disrepair. Parts were widened to allow more space for wall-walkers like the ones pictured here.

Shambles, York, 1900

One of York's most famous streets back at the turn of the century. Some of the buildings date back to the fourteenth century. Thought by some to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter novels, JK Rowling says she has never been.

The top of York Minster, 1931

The building of The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York – to give it its proper name – took 250 years! Completed in 1472, there has of course been much preservation work over the years, like this in 1931.

St Leonard’s Place, York, 1958

This view of the junction of St Leonard's Place, Museum Street, Duncombe Place and Blake Street hasn't really changed much in 60 years!

Parliament Street, York, 1958

Another city centre view from 1958. The market in Parliament Street.

Stonegate, York, 1959

Stonegate before pedestrianisation. Ye Olde Starre Inne sign has spanned the street since 1733.

Thirsk Market Place, 1933

There's been a weekly market in Thirsk since 1145. The Clock Tower was erected in the Market Place in 1896 to mark the marriage of the Duke of York and Princess Mary of Teck - later King George V and Queen Mary.

Malton Market Square, c1942

A wartime market in the town centre.

Selby, 1912

The Abbey was first founded in 1069. A fire did significant damage in 1906, just a few years before this photograph was taken.

Selby Abbey, 1935

The Abbey has of course gone through much restoration work during its long history. In 1935, the height of the towers at the front were raised.

Selby Toll Bridge 1935

Until 1991, you had to pay a toll to head over the Ouse on the Barlby Road near the Abbey!

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