A grand looking building, at City Square/Boar Lane, that was demolished in 1871.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 07 Mar, 2014 9:12 pm

While searching Leodis for something completely different I came across this photo, the caption to which is:- "Description: Undated. This building was situated at the junction of Boar Lane and City Square. Built by John Clark with ionic columns, each 40 foot high and 4 foot in diameter. The foundation stone was laid by Lepton Dobson on 18th May 1826, opening in 1829. By 1871 it was to be demolished and replaced by the gothic structure of the Royal Exchange Chambers, also called West Bar building. Postcard view but original Photography by Wormald of Leeds (Edmund Wormald, 46 Great George Street)."This grand looking building only lasted from 1829 to 1871, so I wonder if anyone knows more of its history? This is the link to its entry in Leodis:- http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... Y=FULLThis is a link to another view in Leodis:- http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL

kango · Post by **kango** » Fri 07 Mar, 2014 9:33 pm

A grand building indeed Leo.Whilst I can understand some of todays constructs having a short shelf life I am amazed that something like this barely managed forty odd years, considering the effort required to build such a grand edifice in the first place.

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Sat 08 Mar, 2014 7:25 am

Leeds Mercury 21st Jan 1826

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Sat 08 Mar, 2014 7:27 am

Leeds Mercury 20th May 1826. The foundation stone been laid on 18th May 1826. The opening ceremony was on 17th Oct 1829

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Sat 08 Mar, 2014 7:31 am

Leeds Mercury 27 June 1872. It seems it was demolished for "improvements" to Boar Lane

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Sat 08 Mar, 2014 8:56 am

Boar Lane was half the width it is now and the whole south side was rebuilt at that time. Leeds was going through massive change in those years so a lot of buildings had short shelf lifes, cloth halls being an example.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 08 Mar, 2014 2:35 pm

Thanks uncle mick for your newspaper extracts which make fascinating reading and also much more interesting language than today's text talk! The extract from the Leeds Mercury of 27 June 1872 records that the foundation-stone was uncovered. I wonder what happened to the coins etc that are noted in the Leeds Mercury 20th May 1826 extract?

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sun 09 Mar, 2014 3:50 pm

Cardiarms wrote: Boar Lane was half the width it is now and the whole south side was rebuilt at that time. Leeds was going through massive change in those years so a lot of buildings had short shelf lifes, cloth halls being an example. In view of that interesting information I thought (hoped!) that this information about Boar Lane may be of interest. It is extracted from John Mayhall’s ‘Annals of Yorkshire’. The March 26 1868 entry has mention of the removal of the Commercial Buildings.July 28 1866. “The Streets and Sewage Committee of the Leeds Town Council resolved to recommend that immediate steps be taken under the new Improvement Act for widening Boar lane to a uniform width of 75 feet.”October 9 1866. “The Property Purchasing Committee of the Leeds Town Council received a report from Messrs. Martin and Fenwick, architects, in regard to the reconstruction of Boar Lane. These gentlemen suggested the adoption, on the ground of cost, of a curved street 65 feet wide; and the Committee decided to make a similar recommendation to the Council.”November 2 1866. “A town’s meeting – perhaps one of the most influential that ever assembled in Leeds – was held this night in the Victoria Hall, to consider the various schemes proposed for the reconstruction of Boar Lane. The Mayor presided, and after a full discussion, the meeting, by a majority of three to one, adopted a resolution in favour of a straight street.”November 21 1866. “A deputation, appointed at a public meeting in Leeds on the subject of the re-construction of Boar Lane, were received at a special meeting of the Leeds Town Council, and Mr. Baines, M.P., on their behalf, presented the resolution adopted by the ratepayers in favour of a straight street, and requesting the council to reconsider their decision.”September 2 1867. “The extensive alterations to be made in the widening and improvement of Boar Lane, Leeds, were commenced this day, near the bottom of Albion Street, on the premises of Mr. Masser.”March 26 1868. “Some additional important steps were taken towards the completion of the Boar Lane and other improvements in progress in Leeds. The Purchasing Committee of the Corporation, subject to the approval of the Town Council, made arrangements for the purchase of the Commercial Buildings, the removal of which was necessary to effect the widening of the thoroughfare, for the sum of £30,000. They further arranged for the purchase, for the sum of £7,000, of certain premises near Leeds Bridge, which would enable them to carry out the widening of that street, which had been so long and urgently needed.”September 23 1869. “In accordance with a resolution passed by the Streets Committee of the Leeds Town Council, the name of Boar Lane was changed to West Bar – a name by which part of the street was formerly known, and the new name was affixed, a step which led to much discussion. The Council ultimately decided to keep to the old name.”November 9 1869. “At a meeting of the Leeds Corporation, it was stated that the actual cost to the town of the re-construction of Boar Lane was estimated to be £60,598 17s 6d...The rateable vale of property in Boar Lane and West Bar, as stated in the report, had increased 150 per cent.” (I have omitted some text that did not directly refer to Boar Lane).

scrabblerz · Post by **scrabblerz** » Tue 11 Mar, 2014 4:35 pm

Reading a sale notice dated 25/5/1868 this was the Yorkshire Banking Companys Bank .Another sale notice regarding vacant land for sale along Boar Lane dated 1920 has this being The London City and Midland Bank premises .In Leeds Library 2nd floor little finger of bookshelves that look on to the Town Hall Clock , on your left bottom shelf some very interesting sale of surplus lands by the council dated from 1820 - early 1900's .