Old photos of Bootle

[fatboyjoe90]

This is the rear of the houses on Millers Bridge, 1948.
The wagons you can see in the background are in JRT Transport yard.

[fatboyjoe90]

Jarvis Robinson Transport Yard, Bootle.

[bob. b]

Fantastic pictures Joe remember that yard well in JRT them big horses. In both picture you can also see top end of canal street houses Thanks Joe

[efc46]

we used to go a lot come closing time we would not get out and out would come the big scooper and we would get it on the head ow ow we would get out to cheers from the balcony happy days/Davey

[efc46]

Great photos who went the five lamps New years eve /Davey

[fatboyjoe90]

Houses at the back of Millers Bridge 1948.

[fatboyjoe90]

The Bootle boundary signs on Hawthorn road.Sorry about the quality of the picture. The building on the left was Campbell and Isherwood’s Penpoll Works.

[filsgreen]

I remember that sign Joe, saw it every time I walked back from the "Baggy" on Harris Drive in the early 70's.

[fatboyjoe90]

Alexandra Dock Opening, Princess-of-Wales in Bootle 1881.wink:

[fatboyjoe90]

Bootle Village Victoria Road, Bootle, L20 – 1880.

[fatboyjoe90]

Bootle Landmarks Bootle, L20 - 1830
Tall landmarks built on the waterfront at Bootle to assist shipping navigation on the Mersey.

[fatboyjoe90]

Hawthorne Road, 1983.

[BossHogg]

I don't recognise that, looks more like the top end of Marsh Lane!

[Bernie R]

I don't recognise that, looks more like the top end of Marsh Lane!

Heading towards Litherland - approaching what was the railway bridge. Tannery on the left.

Bern

[BossHogg]

I still can't place it, I used to cross Hawthorne Road on my way to school when I lived in Wadham Road.

[Liz H]

Jarvis Robinson Transport Yard, Bootle.

My dad used to drive for JRT. Sometimes he used to park his wagon outside our house in Garden Lane and we used to feel very important .

[BossHogg]

I don't recognise that, looks more like the top end of Marsh Lane!

Heading towards Litherland - approaching what was the railway bridge. Tannery on the left.

Bern

Just checked on street view, I recognise it now, as you go over the bridge and drop down, you had Secrets on your right by the traffic lights.

[fatboyjoe90]

Grey Street School. as you all know this isn't my photo.

[bob. b]

Cracking pictures Joe keep them coming regards Bob. b

[fatboyjoe90]

The Royal Muncaster Theatre was the first purpose-built Theatre to open in Bootle. Building work began on the Theatre in 1888 and it was constructed to plans drawn up by the owner, Mr Harry Pennington, next door to the Muncaster Hotel. Unfortunately, Harry Pennington was never to see his Theatre finished as he died in August of that year and building work was suspended until his sons, John and James, took control of the project the following year. The Theatre was finally completed in 1890 and opened on the 6th of October that year under the new leaseholders, H. T Denyer and Harris Fineberg who was the son of Issac Fineberg who owned the Star Music Hall at the time, now the Playhouse Theatre.



The Stage of the Theatre had a depth of 25 feet and a proscenium opening of 24 foot wide by 20 foot high and was also equipped with an iron fireproof curtain.

The Royal Muncaster Theatre on fire in July 1964 - Courtesy KR. The Theatre opened as a Variety Theatre and remained so until 1893 when the Penningtons took over the lease again and ran it as a playhouse for three weeks out of every four, and put on Variety for the forth.

In 1901 the Theatre was equipped with Electric lighting to replace the original gas installation and was soon also showing the early incarnation of cinema by the American Bioscope Company.

The Theatre ceased to show drama in 1911 and went back to Variety, with accompanying Films. But by 1912 Films had become the major player. The Theatre was redecorated and renamed the New Prince's Theatre and opened on the 9th of August 1912 as a Cinema with accompanying live performances.

Below - The Royal Muncaster Theatre on fire in July 1964 - Courtesy KR.



Due to other Cinemas in the area through the Prince's effort didn't do so well and by 1913 it was back in use as a Variety Theatre again until 1921 when George Prince took control of the building and the auditorium was completely restructured for Cinema use. This opened as the Strand Cinema on the 19th of September 1921.

The Strand had various owners over the next 30 years but finally closed at the end of the 1940s, after which the building was used as a warehouse by Cork Industries Ltd., but was destroyed by fire on the 26th of July 1964 and demolished.

[fatboyjoe90]

Stanley Road Bootle 1960.

[fatboyjoe90]

1910 Balliol Road, Bootle.

[BossHogg]

Balliol Road looked very well to do back then!

[Shelagh]

More interesting photos...Muncaster Theatre on Irlam Road..would loved to have seen that old theatre
Stanley road..think that shot may have been taken from junction of Marsh Lane and Stanley..
Photo reminds me of all the different numbered bus routes running along there then....24..28..55..L3..L4..L6..L8..all more efficient of course...wonder when we changed
Photo of Balliol Rd 1910.. Looking good..ornate lamps and huge houses..the house standing alone at the top could be the building that was later to become Bootle Maternity Home
Thanks Joe for all our lovely pics

[BossHogg]

1910 Balliol Road, Bootle.

I wonder if this is the same location in modern times, looks very similar.

[fatboyjoe90]

Well done B H, I would say they are the same with University Road, on the left.

[fatboyjoe90]

Bedford Road Bootle 1960s with the old can’t a ford.

[fatboyjoe90]

Alexander Pub was known locally as "Toulon’s on the corner Marsh Lane & Audley Street 1960s Bootle?

[PeterR]

Balliol Rd Baths, 1979

I learned to swim in the canal at the Gorsey Lane hump back bridge 1944 (I was 10) we used to go with School to Balliol baths, Mr Dyke swimming teacher -he didn't stand for messing and the water was cleaner than the cut.---the hot shower afterwards was great---"Clean for another week"---
Peterr

[henry]

The Alexandra Hotel /Pub. On the corner, Marsh Lane and Audley Stree was known locally as "Toulon’s"

And the Stadium

[filsgreen]

Was that where the present Alex stands Joe? And was it called the stadium because of all the boxing on a Saturday night?

[fatboyjoe90]

Correct on both occasions Phil.


Sorry Phil, you are only right about fighting outside Toulon’s. As John has rightly said the present Alex is built on were Borland Street used to be.

[filsgreen]

Thanks for confirming Joe; I much prefer the old Alex building.

[john j connell]

Joe, the present Alex is not built on the original footprint at what was Audley St, it is built on what would have at the time been Borland St. JJC.

[Invicta]

Great thread this. I just love the first hand updated history knowledge that leads from the old pics. Ken