The following photos were taken in June 1988 on a special open day at St. Peter's Church, during which visitors were allowed to explore the church tower, and to go to the top. It was a day of changeable weather, with periods of sunshine and showers. Luckily the visibility was quite good and so the views included the Shropshire hills to the west and south west, Cannock Chase to the north east, and Birmingham to the south east. It was a wonderful opportunity not to be missed.

In those days there was quite a contrast between the greenery to the west, and the greyness of the Black Country to the east, something that is probably not so apparent today. The photographs contain images of a number of once familiar buildings around the centre of Wolverhampton that have since been demolished, and so hopefully they will bring back memories of Wolverhampton, as it was 30 years ago.


A fine view across the centre of Wolverhampton looking over the Mander Centre towards Sedgley Beacon and the Dudley hills.

A close-up view of Mander House with a crowded Dudley Street on the left. In the distance is Snow Hill, the tall flats that were off Dudley Road, and Sedgley Beacon.


Looking towards Snow Hill, Birmingham Road and Sedgley Beacon.


The view to the south east with the Civic Centre in the foreground.


Another view to the south east, looking across to the old town hall and the Clee Hills.


A fine view of Spring Hill, the Merry Hill flats, and Titterstone Clee.


Looking across to St. Mark's Church and Brown Clee.


In the distance is the Wrekin, with St. Jude's Church below. On the right is the Tarmac Building.

Looking towards a derelict Molineux Hotel with the old Tarmac Building on the left, and the old Wolves football pitch on the right.


A fine view of the Polytechnic.

Another view of the Polytechnic with 'C Block' and 'B Block' in the centre, and the ex-St. Peter's School buildings in the bottom left hand corner.


Looking down Broad Street towards Heath Town with the Polytechnic on the left.
A closer view of Broad Street, and the Royal London Building.
A black and white view with the Polytechnic and Wulfruna Street on the left, Broad Street on the right, and Heath Town in the distance.


Heath town, with Wednesfield, and Bloxwich behind.


Looking towards the Heath Town flats and Wednesfield.

Looking towards Willenhall with the old Horseley Fields Royal Mail building in the foreground, the Union Mill in the centre, and the Crane Foundry and Hill and Son's foundry cupolas.
The view over the Art Gallery into Princes Square.

Looking towards the Express and Star building in Queen Street, the then recently opened Sainsbury's store, and Birmingham, which is on the horizon.

In the centre is Market Street, with a crowded Dudley Street on the right. St. George's Church is prominent, as is Turners Hill in the background.

Return to the
previous page