Photograph of the Gateshead end of the Swing Bridge showing line of traffic and pedestrians held up while bridge swinging taken at 4.45pm on 2nd June 1924. It's strange to see how crowded the Gateshead side of the Quayside was back then.Photograph of the Gateshead end of the Swing Bridge showing line of traffic and pedestrians held up while bridge swinging taken at 4.45pm on 2nd June 1924. It's strange to see how crowded the Gateshead side of the Quayside was back then.
Photograph of the Gateshead end of the Swing Bridge showing line of traffic and pedestrians held up while bridge swinging taken at 4.45pm on 2nd June 1924. It's strange to see how crowded the Gateshead side of the Quayside was back then. | NL

9 photos of Newcastle in 1924 - see how much has changed in 100 years

Jason Button
By Jason Button

Search and Trends Writer

Published 11th Aug 2024, 06:00 BST

Let's rewind a full century and look at life in Newcastle in 1924.

How much has changed in Newcastle in 100 years?

Here we have nine incredible photos depicting life in the city a full century ago.

Coal-mining reached a peak in 1923 with 170,000 miners employed in the Durham coalfield alone, but many industries in the North East experienced hard times in the 1920s.

Demand for industrial products was fading and the Great War had provided only a temporary boost. In 1926 places like Middlesbrough had unemployment rates of 45%. A worse situation was found in Jarrow in the 1930s with 80% unemployment. Times were better at Newcastle United, who were comfortably finishing in the top half of the old Division One. They finished ninth of 22 teams in 1923/24 and sixth the following season. Many of these squads would stay to win the title in in the 1926-27 season.

1924 was also the year the club won their sixth FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley.

The year was also a General Election year, with Labour gaining seats in Gateshead, Newcastle East, Newcastle West and Middlesbrough East from the Liberal Party.

Take a look through these photos to check out how much has changed in 100 years, and see what you recognise.

A view of St. Nicholas Street taken in 1924. The photograph has been taken from in front of the railway arch looking towards the High Level Bridge.

1. St. Nicholas Street

A view of St. Nicholas Street taken in 1924. The photograph has been taken from in front of the railway arch looking towards the High Level Bridge. | NL

A view of the head of Long Stairs taken in 1924. In the foreground is the entrance to Long Stairs. The house on the extreme left has been built at an angle to the other houses with part of the upper storey overhanging the lower storey. The High Level Bridge is in the background. 'Robert Beall Sculptor' has his premises in one of the arches.

2. One last view of Long Stairs

A view of the head of Long Stairs taken in 1924. In the foreground is the entrance to Long Stairs. The house on the extreme left has been built at an angle to the other houses with part of the upper storey overhanging the lower storey. The High Level Bridge is in the background. 'Robert Beall Sculptor' has his premises in one of the arches. | NL Photo: Newcastle Libraries

A view of Long Stairs taken in 1924. The photograph shows several buildings on Long Stairs, a cobbled road is in the foreground. The High Level Bridge can be seen in the background.

3. Long Stairs

A view of Long Stairs taken in 1924. The photograph shows several buildings on Long Stairs, a cobbled road is in the foreground. The High Level Bridge can be seen in the background. | NL Photo: Newcastle Libraries

A view of Castle Garth, Newcastle, taken in 1924. The view shows several buildings one of which has a 'For Sale' notice above the door. The walls of the two houses to the left are covered in advertising posters for items such as 'OXO' 'Farola' 'Rinso' 'Andrews Liver Salt' 'Camp Coffee' and for 'The Stoll Picture Theatre'.

4. Castle Garth

A view of Castle Garth, Newcastle, taken in 1924. The view shows several buildings one of which has a 'For Sale' notice above the door. The walls of the two houses to the left are covered in advertising posters for items such as 'OXO' 'Farola' 'Rinso' 'Andrews Liver Salt' 'Camp Coffee' and for 'The Stoll Picture Theatre'. | NL Photo: Newcastle Libraries

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Related topics:NewcastleNorth EastFA CupGatesheadNewcastle United