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Sunderland City Council

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Sunderland City Council
Civic Centre
Burdon Road
Sunderland
SR2 7DN

Tel. (0191) 520 5555
Calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes
A collection of photographs and prints is kept in the Local Studies Centre. Some of the illustrations can be copied, although the library does not hold the copyright for much of the collection. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge
Hylton Road Hylton Road C1910.  The electric trams were introduced in 1900 and the service up Hylton Road commenced in 1901.  Hylton Road was a busy shopping centre, a natural focus for the people of Millfield and Pallion.
Tunstall Hills Tunstall Hills.  Early part of the 20th Century,  Tunstall Hills was a favourite destination for country walks. Sailors returning to Sunderland found them a useful landmark, as when seen from the sea, they have a very characteristic appearance.
St Peters Church St.Peters Church, founded in the 7th Century, it was the first English building made of stone since the Romans left in the 4th Century.   Glaziers had to be brought over from France to make the windows.  Hallgarth Square, and the surrounding streets have been demolished, leaving the church in splendid isolation.
River Wear River Wear. A typical view of the River Wear, about the time of the First World War.  Steam ships were being built from the 1840’s and gradually took over the major part of trade but sailing vessels were still economically employed until the 2nd World War.
Penshaw Monument Penshaw Monument, it was built by public subscription in 1844 to honour John George Lambton, First Earl of Durham who played a major part in the passing of the Electoral Reform Act of 1832 It is modelled on the Thesion, a temple in Athens.
Sea Lane Sea Lane, the area now known as Seaburn about 1920.  In the distance is Whitburn Bents Farm.
Sunderland Street, Houghton le Spring Sunderland St. Houghton-Le Spring.  This used to be the main Houghton to Sunderland road but it was demolished in the 1960’s to make way for the A690.
Seaburn Seaburn in the 1950’s, the Seaburn Hotel, now the Marriott on the left of the photograph.
Town Hall, Fawcett Street The Town Hall, Fawcett St., built in 1891 and demolished in 1971.  Just behind the Town Hall the South End of the old Central Station can be seen.
Sunderland Parish Church Sunderland Parish Church, Holy Trinity opened in 1719.  This view was taken in the 1930’s before the churchyard was cleared.  The church building was made redundant but it is kept in good condition.
High Street Image High Street. At the turn of the 20th Century High Street was the commercial heart of Sunderland.  This is High Street West, just visible in the distant centre of the picture is the distinctive domed roof of Mackie’s Corner.

Local History
last updated 20/02/09