We take a look back through the archive at old pictures of Birmingham totally unrecognisable. Much of Birmingham in the early 1900s was farmland and the new towns we know today like Chelmsley Wood, Redditch and Castle Vale we many years from developing.
However with an ever growing city, new developments were needed and the city grew and grew to what we know today. Bartley Green was a large farming community and Chelmsley Wood was very much known for its woodland back in the day.
Many of the areas we know today like Acocks Green and Handsworth were rapidly developed with thousands of council houses built in the 1930s to house the masses. With the selling off of these in the 'Thatcher years', most are still standing today in private ownership.
At the turn of the 20th Century, the inner city residents were housed in the traditional Victorian terraces of Balsall Heath, Sparkbrook etc. The suburbs were still very much rural villages. We hope you enjoy this glimpse into the past of Birmingham.
Haymaking in Bartley Green.
Haymaking in Bartley Green, June 1964.
Parkside on the Westlands Park, Bartley Green. 4th November 1968.
Clover Drive, Westfields Park Estate, Bartley Green. 4th November 1968.
Wychall lane, Kings Norton. 1956.
Cottages in Church Lane, Handsworth, October 1956.
Old bridge at Hamstead Hill, Handsworth. October 1933.
Lordswood Road, Harborne.
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Vicarage Road in Kings Heath.
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This is all that remained of the 'Selly Oak' in the 1950's and is the stump that was taken to the park.
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Bristol Road in Selly Oak in 1952.
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Griffins Hill in Selly Oak.
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Beeches Estate, Perry Barr, May 1958.
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Vicarage Road in Kings Heath.
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This is all that remained of the 'Selly Oak' in the 1950's and is the stump that was taken to the park.
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Bristol Road in Selly Oak in 1952.
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Griffins Hill in Selly Oak.
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Beeches Estate, Perry Barr, May 1958
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Perry Hall which was demolished by Birmingham Council around 1930 when a decision was made to demolish either Aston Hall or Perry Hall, and Perry Hall was decided.
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Kings Norton in July 1960.
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Chelmsley Wood housing being constructed, March 1968.
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Construction of Chelmsley Wood.
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Tower block overlooking fields in the new housing estate of Chelmsley Wood.
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Aerial view of Chelmsley Wood housing estate.
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Castle Vale in December 1966.
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Early pic of Castle Bromwich.
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Lichfield Road, Aston. 1930.
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Aston High Street, August 1972 showing the Bartons Arms in the middle of the picture.
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Fox Hollies Road Acocks Green.
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Lea Ford on the Rover Cole May 1938.
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Rural Hall Green in the mid-1920s shortly before the district was transformed into a suburb. This photo was taken looking along Cole Bank Road towards the Wake Green Road and Swanshurst Lane. It shows the road before it was widened and before the bridge in the middle was replaced. On the right is Sarehole Mill.
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The Ford at Yardley Wood.
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Tram terminus for Rednal where Brummies would alight for a day out at the Lickey Hills.
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