This view shows the front of the Drill Hall which was built in the early years of the last century. The hall itself was behind these buildings and was demolished in the late 1960's.

Before the Civic Hall opened in 1938 this was the venue for many concerts and even early film shows. It was disliked by both audiences and performers and was described as draughty with terrible acoustics.

Mr. A. J. Sheldon of the Birmingham Post described it as follows; "Wolverhampton may possess a capable fire brigade, yet if ever the Drill Hall of the town should become ablaze the imagination can visualise the musical enthusiasts of the city making a united stand against the passage of anybody attempting to save the building".

The late 1940's  Sunbeam trolley bus is on the number 3 Fordhouses route.

On the corner of Whitmore Street is the local branch of the Co-Operative Insurance Society, and to its left is Gilson's shop. The bus stop on the left is for the number 9B that ran to Peartree Lane.

 

 

 

 

The buildings on the right have changed very little, but those on the left were demolished in the mid 1950's as part of the Staffordshire College of Technology's expansion along Stafford Street. It is now part of the University.



This view looking towards town was photographed in the mid 1950's. On the extreme right-hand side is a chemist's shop and behind it can be seen the steel framework of the University's 'B' Block, then under construction.

To its left are other University buildings which were then still new.

The Royal London Building can be seen in the distance, and on the opposite side of Stafford Street is the premises of Copes Motor Cycles. 

 

 

 

Today's view is quite different. Everything in the foreground including the two lovely houses, was demolished to make way for the ring road, which now dominates the scene.
 

Stafford Street looking north. On the extreme right is the premises of G. W. Braithwaite & Son Ltd, and to its left is Walsh Graham's timber, joinery and roofing business. The turning on the right by the trolley bus is Wilson Street and in the distance is the Elephant and Castle pub. On the left is the turning into Camp Street and immediately after it is a builders, possibly Jenks.

 

 

 

The street was widened when the ring road was built, and all of the buildings in the previous picture, except the Elephant and Castle were demolished. The photograph opposite was taken in 2000, before the Elephant and Castle also disappeared. Unless you are familiar with old Stafford Street, it is impossible to guess where the first photograph was taken.

 





 

 

This view from the Cannock Road junction shows a number 9 trolley bus on its way to Fallings Park. The Ansell's pub on the corner is the Junction.

 

 

 

 

 

Today the junction has been widened, and everything in the previous photograph except for the University buildings in the far distance, has gone.
 
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