A nostalgic look at Blackpool seafront with artificial sunshine and ‘starving’ newly-weds

Flags flew above North Pier as the heavily-clothed crowds thronged on either side of Blackpool Promenade in one turn of the century view pictured here.
By Claire Lark
Published 24th Apr 2020, 17:00 GMT
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Landaus and trams dominated and not a car - or a traffic light in sight!

It’s also hard to find a single person not wearing some kind of headgear.

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The bygone days of a bustling seafront show the magnetism of the coast in all its touristic glory with some unusual elements thrown in too.

A temporary steam railway on the seafront in 1911 to help with construction.A temporary steam railway on the seafront in 1911 to help with construction.
A temporary steam railway on the seafront in 1911 to help with construction.

One incredible image shows the construction of Blackpool Tower in its infancy. Just a fraction of the steel is in place but the structure is already instantly recognisable.

Despite typical British weather, Blackpool’s proximity on the coast means it does get its fair share of sunshine.

However back in 1891, it was clear that Blackpool Council didn’t agree. The authority spent £3,500 on lighting the town with artificial sunshine, in the form of eight powerful arc lights which can be seen in one photo. The large building with turrets is the Prince of Wales Theatre, Market and Baths, later the Palace Theatre, where Harry Ramsden’s and other retail outlets now stand.

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The tower was yet to be built to the right of the theatre and the Promenade would be widened to accommodate the tramway.

The mighty Blackpool Tower under construction in 1893. The foundation stone was laid in 1891 and it took until 1893 to get to this stage. The tower opened in 1894.The mighty Blackpool Tower under construction in 1893. The foundation stone was laid in 1891 and it took until 1893 to get to this stage. The tower opened in 1894.
The mighty Blackpool Tower under construction in 1893. The foundation stone was laid in 1891 and it took until 1893 to get to this stage. The tower opened in 1894.

Sideshows on the Golden Mile made their mark in the 1920s and 30s.

One highly controversial ‘show’ was the Starving Brides where newly married couples fasted for 30 days in order to earn enough money to purchase a house.

The show was later closed down.

Another photo depicts the showpiece art deco information bureau on the promenade which stood opposite West Street. It has long since been replaced by a newer model nearer to the Tower and the entrance to North Pier has been modernised.

Related topics:North PierBlackpoolBlackpool PromenadeBlackpool TowerBlackpool Council