Bristol 1946-1960

Black & white photographs of Bristol after the war 1946-1960

Rebuilding in Bristol after the devastation of war was a large undertaking. It was one of the heaviest hit targets in Britain and had been severely damaged with many homes and building lost.

As people who had lost their homes, been evacuated or were away serving in the war effort began to return to Bristol, the shortage of housing became clear. It was also an opportunity for town planners to complete slum clearance projects and create new social housing for the poorer citizens.

Today Bristol continues to change. The latest areas to be re-developed are Harbourside and Broadmead. Both these areas will be lively leisure and shopping centers, just like Castle Park before the Blitz. Bristol's city centre suffered severe damage from bombing during World War II. The original central shopping area, near the bridge and castle, is now a park containing two bombed out churches and some tiny fragments of the castle. A third bombed church nearby, St Nicholas, has been restored and currently houses private city council offices despite containing a triptych by William Hogarth, painted for the high altar of St Mary Redcliffe in 1756.

168 photos | 4,022 views

items are from between 22 Nov 2007 & 23 Nov 2007.