People & Places Of Bolton

In this section you can find the people of Bolton at work and at play.

The faces of all types of local people can be seen - from formal Victorian studio photographs, through Humphrey Spender's candid snapshots of 1930's life to some striking modern images. There are images of famous Bolton folk, Samuel Crompton and Lord Leverhulme amongst them, who have helped to shape the modern town. Photographs of working life show the rise and fall of the textile industry alongside mining, transport and more specialised trades. In other pictures people can be found enjoying themselves - some relaxing in parks, others marching in the streets!

You can also explore many of the ordinary and extraordinary buildings to be found in the area.

From the timber-framed Hall i'th' Wood to towering brick mill chimneys there are many surprising aspects to discover. A large collection of local postcards gives a flavour of how visitors have viewed the area over the years. Photographs also document the changing shops and vehicles to be found along the town centre's streets.