The borders of Rusholme
In this map below of the early 19th century the most obvious point is the absence of Longsight & Fallowfield. It was at least another 25 years or more before Longsight really evolved. Thus in some of the areas of what we now consider Longsight are the names associated with Rusholme; Birch & Birch Hall Lane, Daisy Bank Rd etc. Whilst the majority of illustrations in this website are within the present ward definitions of Rusholme they do quite unashamedly stray - recognizing that Whitworth Park so very closely straddling the border with Chorlton-on-Medlock, Birch Hall Lane is now in Longsight & Wilmslow Road leading into Fallowfield. There are some examples below.
Chorlton-on-Medlock border with Victoria Park, Hathersage Rd Baths
The postcard below was posted in 1908 and probably shows the Baths not long after their construction in 1906. Certainly in the foreground the land is undeveloped and one wonders if the sign on the right is offering the land for sale?
High Street and Baths, rather later than postcard above.
The Victoria Baths on High Street, (now Hathersage Road), were opened in September 1906 for the residents of Rusholme, Longsight & St Lukes. Built on the site of the Victoria Park Lawn Tennis Club they were described as the most splendid municipal bathing institution in the country. The cost had been very high, some £59,000, against an estimate of £34,000 and even that figure of £34,000 had been described as excessive! Water for the 3 swimming baths came from a borehole 760 feet deep that had been sunk on the site. This provided nearly 16,000 gallons of clear water every hour! Despite the controversy about the cost within a month of opening they were described as a phenomenal success, there being more than 20,000 visitors in this period.
The baths are no longer in use having been closed in 1993. There is a more detailed history that can be read on the Victoria Baths website, where you can also read about how the Victoria Bath Trust is working on a comprehensive plan of restoration.
Birch Hall Lane 1906, (now in Longsight)
This view of Birch Hall Lane above is probably looking in a southerly direction, there appears to be on the extreme right of the card the entrance to 'Beckfoot', another of the fairly large Victorian mansions built in this area. There is a splendid country feel to this lane even as late as the date of the card, 1906.
If you would like to read more about Longsight follow the next link - 'Longsight Memories' will be particularly of interest to former Longsight residents.
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Fallowfield Railway Station 1910
