Maps, Location & Origins
Levenshulme is located roughly in the centre of what is now Greater Manchester. When I lived in Levenshulme, it was on the south east boundary of the City of Manchester. Levenshulme was bordered by Longsight to the North,Gorton to the North & East, Reddish to the East, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, to the South, Burnage to the South & West & Rusholme to the West. Levenshulme had a Town Hall, and originally was an Urban District with its own Council, Councillors & presumably a Mayor! Levenshulme Town Hall and Council Offices
Levenshulme Town Hall early 2oth Century.
Levenshulme Council Offices in 1959.
By 1985, Cleaned up and in use as an Antiques Market
December 2007 still in use as an Antiques Market. Note the "funky" Betty Boop shop!!
Two interior photos of the Town Hall interior December 2007. 1) The upstairs main hall. 2) The grand central staircase with the Levenshulme Urban District Council crest inlaid in the floor.
Crest Detail. |
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Levenshulme Origins Under this heading I will try to illustrate the early origins of Levenshulme, and its transition from a farming community to a suburb of Manchester. Farms and early Levenshulme Until the advent of the railway in the second half of the 19th Century, Levenshulme was a fairly isolated farming community. Its location on the main highway to the south, the current A6/Stockport Road would ensure its future development and prosperity. This highway had existed since at least the Roman occupation of Britain. There is some evidence to support the theory that there was a small Roman garrison just South of Levenshulme in the vicinity of Peel Moat in Heaton Chapel. History also records that Levenshulme saw Oliver Cromwells Parliamentarian Army pass through, and also Bonnie Prince Charlie heading south. Levenshulmes farming past is still in evidence with names such as Farmside Place and Farmyard on Stockport Road. More tangible proof can still be found around Mount Road and East Levenshulme where some old farm buildings still exist to this day!
The little entry at the side of the Verandah on Stockport Road is named Farm Yard. Photo from 1959. I remember a very smelly public convenience situated on this street. Also I believe that the end two shop units were once a waiting room for the trams.( Photo via Manchester Libraries)
Farmside Place in the 1970s. See the Cinema pages for more up to date views. ( Via Manchester Libraries) The Farms Of Old Levenshulme
Old farm buildings on Mount Road, Levenshulme, December 2007. Update: I have recently been informed that this building has now been demolished. Yet another link with the past gone forever!! May 04 2008.
This looks like the same building during the late 19th Century. Note the windows, doorways Etc.
This could be the same farm, or a close neighbour. The photo states that this is Mount Farm. Other Levenshulme Farms
Church Farm, Stockport Road. Late 19th Century photos. Looking very rustic and wintery.
Nelstrop Farm, Nelsrop Road. An early photo and a later 1960s view. Note Levenshulmes only "high rise" in the background. Does this building still exist?
I am not sure where this farm is. Could this be Nelstrop also? Answers please!! Photo looks to be 1960s.
Highfield Farm, off Highfield Road, 1890s. This farm is shown on the map below!
Knibbs Farm. This is supposed to be in Levenshulme. Knibbs was more than just a farmer!! Can anyone identify the location?
The Small map below shows the location of Levenshulme in the current Greater Manchester. The blue area roughly outlines the old City of Manchester.
The Map below is taken from an old Ordnance Survey Map ,Lancashire 111.04.and shows the centre of Levenshulme as it appeared in 1905. Surprisingly most of what I remember already existed in 1905! My house at 14 Station Road is there, as is my wife's parents house in Lime Street. Both these streets were renamed in the 1950's. the layout of Levenshulme appears much the same in 2003,although certain buildings have come & gone in the intervening 98 years! Does your house appear on this map? |
