Bradford was a small market town in Yorkshire until the Industrial
Revolution, when its proximity to coal, iron ore and water were
instrumental in its fortunes. The city became a leading international
textile manufacturer, nicknamed the 'wool capital of the world'. The
wealth brought to the city was demonstrated by the civic pride
instrumental in the construction of the magnificent city hall and many
other buildings. Although Bradford's fortunes declined in the twentieth
century as the textile industry shrank, much of the magnificent
Victorian heritage of Bradford remains today, from its civic buildings,
grand factory complexes such as Lister's Mill and Titus Salt's workers'
village at Saltaire, to Little Germany, the area where many
Jewish-German immigrants set up their homes and businesses. In recent
years Bradford has sought to redefine itself, presenting a
post-industrial face with the development of the university, the popular
National Science and Media Museum and plans to redevelop a shopping
centre in the heart of the city. For those who are proud to live in
Bradford, as well as those visiting, this book is a must. Look through
these photographs and you will quickly see why this city in Yorkshire
has such enduring appeal.
