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Manchester, Albert Square And The Town Hall 1889
Photo ref: 21894
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More about this scene

Although Alfred Waterhouse's Town Hall dominates the scene, it is the small round building almost in the middle of our picture that intrigues me. I am told that it was a 'Pistourie', or gentlemen's convenience, and a copy of what was all the rage in Paris at the time. It had been amended from the original to cover gentlemen right to the floor. Thus Manchester's first public convenience, right in the middle of Albert Square, was also a truly fashionable one!

An extract from Manchester Photographic Memories.

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Manchester Photographic Memories

Manchester Photographic Memories

The photo 'Manchester, Albert Square and the Town Hall 1889' appears in this book.

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A Selection of Memories from Manchester

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. Here are some from Manchester

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If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

Spent many a happy hour here doing project work for the school I attended.
During the 60's I use to go to the Free Trade Hall to the concerts put on by the Halle and other orchestras. Remember going to one concert when Yehudi Menhuin was playing, such a great violinist. Managed to get his autograph, and Sir John Barbirollis. Sadly during a moving of homes I lost the programmes with the autographs on.
Way back in the late 50's/60's I visited the art gallery- so interesting.
Does anyone remember Mountfield Street, later called Milton Street? I lived at number 37 with my mam (Veronica), dad (Jim) and my sisters, Vera and Mary. We went to St Bridget's School. The three of us used to go and play in Phillips Park during the holidays, you could go anywhere in those days and feel safe. How times have changed! There were two picture houses near us, the Mosley and the ...see more