Rochdale in 1921

1921 – like 2021 - was a census year. For many Style readers the prospect of the publication of that year's census is very exciting. Census details are published a century after they took place and the 1921 census will be available early next year.

This led to this writer thinking about Rochdale a hundred years ago. The Great War had finished in 1918 and Rochdale was recovering from the terrible losses of that conflict. This was before radio, television or the NHS. People's lives were harder and certainly shorter. Most children left school at just 14.

What did Rochdale look like in 1921? First of all, the most noticeable difference was the transport. There was a well established electric tram network with routes to Bacup (via Whitworth), Heywood, Norden, Castleton, Newhey and Littleborough.

Rochdale town centre c1920s

Local Studies, Touchstones

There were also through services to Manchester and other towns. These were usually double decker trams similar to Blackpool's heritage trams.

There was little motor transport in 1921 so mostly bicycles and horse-drawn vehicles were seen alongside the trams. Things were slowly changing; in July 1921, Rochdale's old horse ambulance was replaced by the first motor ambulance. A company called Hills were advertising motor coach tours.

Without the dual carriageway of St Mary's Gate, the main road from west to east twisted around the centre of Rochdale, hence the name: Yorkshire Street! Manchester Road was narrower and surrounded by mills and terraced housing. A century ago, our town centre had far more industrial buildings and housing close by. People generally lived and worked in the same area.

Broadway c1925

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Without the widespread use and ownership of telephones, the postal service was essential and some areas even had same day delivery! At this time, my grandmother lived in south Manchester and would send a letter in the morning to her sister in the north of the city announcing a visit for afternoon tea. The letter was delivered to my great-aunt by midday! So, some things were better!

The next bit is hard to visualise; there was a railway line between Rochdale and Bacup. The line diverted from the main Calder Valley route at Milnrow Road and two viaducts took the trains over both Entwisle Road and Yorkshire Street heading towards Cronkeyshaw Common and beyond.! The line crossed over Yorkshire Street on a 60 foot span iron bridge and continued to the right of Rugby Road. This bridge was demolished in 1972. Nearby was Wardleworth Station which was far closer to the town centre than Rochdale Station and preferred by many shoppers and workers.

Town Centre Esplanade c1927

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But what about the town centre itself? There was, of course our Town Hall, along with the major bank buildings and Yates Wine Lodge. The main Post Office and the Regal cinema (now the Regal Moon) had yet to be built. The River Roch was in the process of being covered up in the town centre to allow trams and cars to move more easily and safely. There were already several cinemas showing silent films to packed houses. Many buildings were blackened with smoke. What we now know as Touchstones was then the home of the town's main library as well as its museum and art gallery.

The main shopping streets were Yorkshire Street and Drake Street; Drake Street tended to have larger shop units and was wide enough – as nowadays – to have trams travel up and down. The main stores included Iveson Brothers on Drake Street, Crooks on Yorkshire Street and Hardman & Sons who had branches on both of these streets. Rochdale Market was in the town centre and sold meat, fish, fruit and vegetables and much more. The Co-op was also an important retailer.

Yorkshire Street c1925

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The early 1920's were a difficult time for many northern mill towns. Unemployment in Rochdale grew from 800 at the start of 1921 to over five times that number by the end of the year. "Short time" was the term used for reduced hours for the mill and factory workers; in June of 1921 nearly 25,000 employees had to endure this.

Back issues of the Rochdale Observer have a wealth of information; there are advertisements for the larger shops and for remedies for such problems as back ache, sore throats and indigestion. There are match reports for both Rochdale A.F.C. and Rochdale Hornets. Billiards seems especially popular, a sport rarely seen these days.

There is only room here for a taster of Rochdale a hundred years ago. Why not book a visit to the excellent Local Studies Library at Touchstones? They have hundreds of photographs of bygone Rochdale, as well as the outlying villages. You can also access the censuses from 1841 to 1911. The library holds old street directories and town guides which give fascinating information.

Richard Lysons

With thanks to Rochdale Local Studies staff

All images: Rochdale Local Studies, Touchstones

Broadway & Drake Street c1920s

Local Studies, Touchstones