Bristol, The Docks c.1950
Photo ref: B212217
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Photo ref: B212217
Photo of Bristol, The Docks c.1950

More about this scene

Bristol developed to become a major centre for the importation of timber for use throughout the west of England. In 1870 the port handled 105,000 tons, and by 1900 it was dealing with over 170,000 tons a year. During the same period, annual tobacco imports through the docks rose from 349 tons in 1880 to 2278 in 1910, and by the mid 1920s the average was 24,000 tons a year. The bumper year for the weed was 1947, with 50,098 tons landed.

Memories of Bristol, the Docks c1950

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Bristol, The Docks c.1950

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Bristol's great heritage started from humble beginnings. An Anglo-Saxon settlement by the name of Brigstowe steadily grew into a thriving port. After the Norman invasion of 1066, a castle was built in what is now known as Castle Park. The port continued to flourish and Bristol became one of England's principal ports. John Cabot sailed from Bristol aboard the 'Matthew' in 1497, a voyage that led to him ...see more