Old Park, Bank

Si · Post by Si » Tue 18 May, 2010 5:21 pm

Does anyone have an exact date for the opening of this rec in the Bank? It appears to be called Old Park (though I've also seen it called Smithie's Garth Recreation Ground) and is on Richmond Street, just off East Street. It is shown on the 1908 OS map of South Leeds (this Leodis pic was also taken in 1908,) but on a map dated "circa 1890" the area is covered by random groups of buildings and a street called Spitalfields, so it can't be that old (less than twenty years?) There was a pub called the Spitalfield Tavern, opposite these gates up to at least the 1920s, and East Street Mills across Bow Street is still there. The rec is on a steep slope, and nowadays has a small kids' play area and a basket ball court.Any information or memories gratefully received.Thanks,Si.

liits · Post by **liits** » Tue 18 May, 2010 11:40 pm

The spittalfield Tavern closed some time around 1936, its last licensee being Leonard Henry Hunt.Above is a Google Earth overlay done after a few pints of Guinness so it's not as exact as maybe it could be.

liits · Post by **liits** » Tue 18 May, 2010 11:42 pm

Oops, forgot to say which was which.A - Cavalier InnB - Spittalfield TavernC - Leeds ArmsD - Star Inn

liits · Post by **liits** » Tue 18 May, 2010 11:56 pm

Again, oops. The cavalier Inn as I have listed it is not the current location for the Cavalier Inn. This is its previous incarnation.

Si · Post by Si » Wed 19 May, 2010 5:46 pm

Thanks, Liits. Another pub, the Boot and Shoe Inn, was also on this map (demolished 1904) on the corner of Richmond Street and Bow Street.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 24 May, 2010 2:26 pm

Mid thirties aerial view, showing the Old Park (here referred to as Smithie's Garth Recreation Ground) bottom left corner. The Spitalfield Tavern is still there.

Si · Post by Si » Wed 26 May, 2010 1:03 pm

Here's the circa 1890 map for comparison with.......

Si · Post by Si » Wed 26 May, 2010 1:07 pm

...the 1908 OS map. (Use East Street Mills as a point of reference.)

MaidenLUFC · Post by **MaidenLUFC** » Wed 09 Jun, 2010 8:28 pm

Those maps are really interesting, do you happen to have similar maps for the area to the west of the last one up there ^^ ? To cover Richmond Hill and the East End Park area?

Si · Post by Si » Sat 12 Jun, 2010 11:05 am

MaidenLUFC wrote: Those maps are really interesting, do you happen to have similar maps for the area to the west of the last one up there ^^ ? To cover Richmond Hill and the East End Park area? Hi MaidenLUFC,Is this the bit you want? (Click on it to enlarge.) I'm assuming you meant east, as Richmond Hill is east of Cavalier Hill? I don't have the map to the east of this one. This map is part (about a sixth) of Godfrey's Old Ordnance Survey Map "South Leeds 1906", number 218.06 (approx scale 15" to the mile.) They have a website where you can buy them. Very good value.