Tracking the Past

Now that Christmas is but a distant memory many of us will have been hitting the January sales in the hope of finding that once in a life-time bargain.

But have you ever wondered what it was like for shoppers in Gateshead 100 years ago?

Tracking the Past is our new online resource that takes you on a tour of Gateshead High Street as it was 100 years ago.

The journey has been created using photographs from the Local Studies collection along with historic maps in partnership with MLA North East.

100 years ago the High Street ran from the junction with Sunderland Road almost unbroken to the top of Bottle Bank where the Hilton Hotel stands today. Tracking the Past will follow the old tram route down the High Street stopping along the way to explore.

There were hotels, theatres, inns, boot-makers, ironmongers, department stores and many more shops and businesses. It is hard to believe today but the High Street area also had one of the highest concentrations of housing in Gateshead. Until the 1930s hundreds of narrow courts and streets ran off both sides of the High Street. Use the interactive map to explore these fascinating lost streets.

To visit Tracking the Past folllow the link on the main menu or visit http://www.asaplive.com/tram/index.html.

For more information please contact Project Officer Jenifer Maughan on 0191 433 8400 or email libraries@gateshead.gov.uk.