Then and now..

... in Harrogate.

This is another of my occasional historical blips, linked to the archives at the local library. I always find it interesting to compare an old photograph with a modern day version. It is not always easy to get exactly the same composition when taking the modern photo - in this case a large tree trunk would have blocked the view - but this is near enough for comparisons to be made.

The right hand side of the original photo is the more interesting and has changed the most. It appears the building in the centre of the picture has either been modified considerably or completely rebuilt, the next one appears to have an additional storey. The building on the extreme right, according to a local historian, is one of the oldest structures in town, (see ' Harrogate History & Guide' Malcolm Neesam 2001) having been built as a theatre shortly before 1769. This use was forgotten for about 200 years before someone questioned the reason for the small circular window at the top of the frontage.