This is central Bradford in 1849 from a plan curated by the Local Studies Library (BRA 1849 LIS). A piece of land is being auctioned off in lots by GT Lister. We have many Lister & Ingle surveyed maps in the reserve collection. I don’t know the exact dates of the partnership, but they flourished in the 1830s and 1840s, and I believe GT Lister lived in Drewton Street.

In this case Lister is acting on behalf of the ‘executrix of Stephen Humble Esq’. I haven’t found it easy to obtain more information about this man. The only person of this name I can locate in the 1841 census is living on independent means in Highfield Lane, Idle. His wife was Sarah, who may be the executrix. He certainly died in 1849 and was buried at Calverley Church, so the land sale was occurring at the right time. His recorded age, 76, generates a birth in c.1773. An 1820s trade directory records a ‘gentleman’ of this name living in Idle. Perhaps he had no occupation as such and simply lived off his investments.

It is worth trying to puzzle out individual features on the plan. The ‘intended thoroughfare’ could have ended up as Queensgate, but I may be wrong. To the right of the plan is Piece Hall Yard and the old Piece Hall itself. Then there is Union Passage and the Post Office.

The Local Studies Library has three images of the 19th century Post Office. The first shows Union Passage and the Post Office steps.

The second image is of ‘The Post Office in the Old Exchange’ building by William Scruton. This is top right at the Piccadilly-Kirkgate junction on the plan, and the shapes fit.

When I originally posted the map on social media I received a great deal of help on the various locations of Bradford’s Post Office. The earliest of which we have an image is the one located at the top of the steps: it is the single storey building behind the lamp. In 1867 it removed to the premises at the bottom of Piccadilly, once the Wool Exchange. Finally in 1887 it ended up in the commodious but controversial building in Forster Square. This blocked the view of the Parish Church.