Bradford Little Germany c.1880

2.102   BRA c1880 LIT   BHM 1950 B28

Reorganisation of properties in Field Street & Well Street

Material: tracing paper  Scale: unk   Size: 36*27 cm  Condition: Fair

Keywords: Little Germany

This plan evidently shows some redevelopment or reorganisation of properties in Little Germany: Bentley Street, Well Street, Field Street and Currer Street are all marked, as are several owners and occupiers. There are pencil annotations which are not easy to read but, where legible, seem to be describing dimensions and aspects of the properties.

When trying to date ownerships of Little Germany properties a very useful resource is Little Germany: a history of Bradford’s Germans (Susan Duxbury-Neumann, 2015). For example fronting on Currer Street on this plan is the premises of Carlton Walker Watson. These were stuff merchants who, she says, held the first Little Germany tenancy in 1863. By 1891 other occupants are present in this position whose names don’t feature on the plan. Trying to refine this date I’ve traced Stavert Zigomala & Co who are also to be found in Well Street. They were commission merchants who are found in the 1863 Jones Directory of Bradford and the 1872 Smith’s Directory; whereas Briggs Goldschmidt (who are next door) only appear in 1872. I hope 1880 is approximately correct but I’m sure that textile historians could manage to refine this date further. The other property owner recorded on the plan is TS Fison, wool merchants, 42 Well Street.