MORE TO POPULAR RESORT A seaside town with rich history THAN BEAUTIFUL BEACHES
WE step back to South Shields in the 20th century in our latest selection of photographs.
The striking images, once again courtesy of local historian Norman Dunn, recall images of daily life in the South Tyneside seaside town. Our earliest photograph, from 1910, shows a bustling street scene on Green Street in the Laygate area of the town.
Today, South Shields is best known as a popular seaside destination. Its dramatic coastline and fine beaches have attracted generations of holidaymakers and daytrippers.
Take a trip to the town in 2022 and you’ll see the caravan sites, spacious public parks, and funfair all happily thriving. But there’s much more to the town than ghost trains and toffee apples.
Whether it be the presence of Romans in ancient times, the arrival of a vibrant Arab population, or the town’s industrial past, South Shields has a rich and diverse history.
Founded around 1245, it quickly developed into an important fishing port, with industries such as fishing and salt-panning attracting workers from far and wide.
In the 19th century, coal mining, alkaline production and glass-making led to a boom, and South Shields’ population increased from 12,000 in 1801 to 75,000 by the 1860s.
By the turn of the 20th century, a daytrippers’ visit to the coast was often accompanied by a venture into the town centre, only a five-minute stroll inland from the town’s fine parks.
One of our images shows Ocean Road in the 1950s – as the town recovered from taking a heavy beating in World War Two – its plentiful shops ideal for browsing for those tired of the sands. These days, the lively street is well known for its popular bars, clubs and curry houses.
Thanks once again to local historian and photographer Norman Dunn for supplying the photographs.
Norman, from Hebburn, has been busy over the last couple of years producing a series of photographic books focusing on the history of his native South Tyneside.
The books are titled: Good Old Jarrow; Good Old Hebburn; Good old Bill Quay, Pelaw, Wardley, Heworth & Felling; Good old Shields; Jarrow & Hebburn School Photos; Our Families At Work Through The 1900s; with the latest offering being Good Old Hebburn part II.
Each book is on sale for £15, direct from the author. To buy copies, email norman@ dunn247.co.uk or telephone 07958 120972. If people live locally, the books can be picked up personally.