With that in mind, take a look at some of our best archive pictures of retro Preston way back in the year of 1957. Hopefully these will give you a feel for how the city has changed and morphed into the more modern incarnation which we see today...
As one reader said: “I barely recognise my own hometown, it’s incredible to see how much things have changed...”
Still after a bit more nostalgia? Check out some of our other most recent picture galleries...
9. Waggon and Horses Inn, Lord Street. From Peeps at old Preston by George C. Miller 1957 The pub took its name from the large number of blacksmiths clustered around the Tithebarn area. The name stayed with the premises for over 200 years before being changed to The Tithebarn in the 1990's. An old town custom called 'Boundary Riding' took place here whereupon the Mayor and members of the Corporation would set off on horseback to view the boundaries of the borough. As part of this ceremony, two of the towns bailiffs were whipped round the nearby pump. Things got out of hand, as these events are wont to do, when the blacksmiths joined in the fray and began to beat the poor bailiff's with iron bars and other iron implements. After this the old custom was discontinued.
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10. Preston Docks 1957 This interesting photograph shows a busy scene at Preston Docks in 1957 when docks at that time were a hive of activity. Image and caption reproduced by kind permission of Paul Anderson, Northwest Trucks. Click Here to see all media sets at the Northwest Trucks site.
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11. M.V. San Ambrosio. T.W. Wards Shipbreakers, Preston. 2nd November 1957 Image courtesy of George S. Wilson. www.shipsnostalgia.com
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12. The image dates from just before the First World War and captures a test run of tram number 16 as it passes under the Fylde Road railway bridge. This activity is being witnessed by a number of Preston Corporation tramway officials who are checking the restricted clearance of the tram during its passage below the bridge. The corporation laid down a strict set of rules for tram crews passing under this structure: âBefore passing below the LNWR Railway Bridge in Fylde Road, cars must be brought to a dead stop. On open top cars the conductor must warn all top deck passengers to âKeep their seats and avoid touching the trolley wireâ and then must signal the driver âRight Aheadâ and remain on the top deck of the car during its passing under the bridgeâ. The bridge was built in 1840 by the Lancaster and Preston Railway and retains nearly all of its original features. A slight modification of the structure occurred in 1957 when the road bed below the bridge was excavated to allow additional clearance. A well known pub, The Princess Alexandra, is just off camera to the right. The pub was known locally as the 'Ole in 'th Wall'. One story that has often been put about is that the pub got it's name shortly after the Lancaster and Preston Railway was completed whereby engine drivers would pull up adjacent to the east wall of the pub and be served a drink through a small hole in the wall while waiting at signals. Preston Digital Archive
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