Manchester through the ages in pictures

Manchester wasn't famously dubbed 'Cottonopolis' for no reason. She single-handedly dominated the textile industry for the majority of the 19th century through a combination of our characteristically damp weather and strong work ethic.

By Manchester's Finest | 10 January 2018

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We have never forgotten this industrial past and we see little hints of it wherever we are, whether you are gin tasting at Victoria Warehouse or glancing down at that worker bee you have tattooed on your forearm.

But have you ever wondered what it looked like before? Before all the Primarks, bus stops and trendy modern flats? I sure have.

L.H Price: Ancoats, Royal Mill, Redhill Street, from Allum Street,

Rochdale Canal, looking towards Oxford Road and Refuge Building (Palace Hotel), Manchester (1960)

T Brooks: Mill Brow Foot Bridge over River Irk, School Mills (corn) and Phoenix Mill (corn), Manchester (1962)

James Mudd: River Irwell, from Blackfriars Bridge, Manchester (1859)

James Mudd: Jackson’s Row, from Deansgate, Manchester (1886)

James Mudd: Mill Brow Foot Bridge over River Irk, School Mills (corn) and Phoenix Mill (corn), Manchester (1877)

James Mudd: Quay Street, Manchester, Looking towards Irwell Bridge (1875)

James Mudd: Newall’s buildings, Cross Street, Manchester (1867)

James Mudd: Deakin’s Entire, Smithy Door, Manchester (1875)

James Mudd: Greenhouse in Botanical Gardens, Old Trafford (1850)

James Mudd: Long Millgate, Manchester (1866)

A Bradburn: Ancoats, Union Street, Rochdale Canal (1903)