SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Sorry, I had to break off for the final episode of Green Wing. Nobody does surreal comedy like the Brits.Thanks for the additional info. I'll send through some articles that may be of interest.

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Si wrote: I think the nearest White Swan is the one that used to be on Call Lane (Mucky Duck,) there being (to my knowledge) no street called Market Place in Leeds anymore. Kirkgate Market is just off the top of this 1847 map, and the area above Cloth Hall Street is now the Corn Exchange.There is a thread devoted to this pub on here, where you can find pictures (the building still exists) and more information.     On the 1815 map of Leeds the White Swan is where the City Varieties now stands on Swan Street. If I recall correctly, didn't the Varieties begin life as the White Swan Inn and one of its owners (Charles Thornton ?)added the theatre part in 1865 ? The top part of Briggate is called Market Place on the 1815 map.Regards.    

Thanks again people. I'll go away and leave you alone now. Just one more request. Where are you getting those maps of old Leeds?1847 & Hats Off mentioned an 1815 map. I can'c locate their source.All your contributions have been very enlightening and greatly appreciated. I'll be back in the UK for the summer and look forward to soaking up the history our family has in Leeds.

Mangrove wrote: Thanks again people. I'll go away and leave you alone now. Just one more request. Where are you getting those maps of old Leeds?1847 & Hats Off mentioned an 1815 map. I can'c locate their source.All your contributions have been very enlightening and greatly appreciated. I'll be back in the UK for the summer and look forward to soaking up the history our family has in Leeds. You can buy the 1847 map herehttp://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/leeds.htmOther sourceshttp://www.old-maps.co.uk/index.htmlhttp://www ... s.org.uk/I am sure others will add more links

Hats Off wrote: Si wrote: I think the nearest White Swan is the one that used to be on Call Lane (Mucky Duck,) there being (to my knowledge) no street called Market Place in Leeds anymore. Kirkgate Market is just off the top of this 1847 map, and the area above Cloth Hall Street is now the Corn Exchange.There is a thread devoted to this pub on here, where you can find pictures (the building still exists) and more information.     On the 1815 map of Leeds the White Swan is where the City Varieties now stands on Swan Street. If I recall correctly, didn't the Varieties begin life as the White Swan Inn and one of its owners (Charles Thornton ?)added the theatre part in 1865 ? The top part of Briggate is called Market Place on the 1815 map.Regards.     I think there were several White Swans in Leeds, Hats Off. Drapesy will know more about this. You're right about the top of Briggate being a former market. There was a Swan Inn (City Varieties?) and a White Hart off this part of Briggate too. On the 1847 map, it is marked as "Site of the Market Cross."        

I think there were several White Swans in Leeds, Hats Off. Drapesy will know more about this. You're right about the top of Briggate being a former market. There was a Swan Inn (City Varieties?) and a White Hart off this part of Briggate too. On the 1847 map, it is marked as "Site of the Market Cross." (Quote Si)There are only 3 White Swans listed in 1853 (attached), two of which we know about, one behind the City Varieties and the Mucky Duck in Call Lane. There are 621 Beerhouses listed with no name, besides 100's of Inns & Taverns.I would love to be transported back in time, just for the evening though     

Hatsoff .......... On the 1815 map of Leeds the White Swan is where the City Varieties now stands on Swan Street. If I recall correctly, didn't the Varieties begin life as the White Swan Inn and one of its owners (Charles Thornton ?)added the theatre part in 1865 ? The top part of Briggate is called Market Place on the 1815 map.Regards. ............................................................................It was built in 1865 as an adjunct to the White Swan Inn in Swan Street and the original interior is largely unaltered. Along with Hoxton Hall and Wilton's Music Hall (both in London), it is a rare surviving example of the Victorian era music halls of the 1850s/1860s. The interior is a long rectangle, with boxes separated by cast-iron columns along the sides at circle level.The theatre was founded by local pub landlord and benefactor Charles Thornton and was originally called 'Thornton's New Music Hall and Fashionable Lounge'. The name subsequently changed to the White Swan Varieties and then Stansfield's Varieties before becoming the City Palace of Varieties. Charlie Chaplin, Marie Lloyd and Houdini are among the artists who performed there.