Ilkley Civic Society is pleased to announce that an exhibition on the 1867 Middelton land sales in Ilkley will take place at Ilkley Manor House and can be views weekends from 8th July- 27th August 2023.
A spokesperson for Ilkley Civic Society said: "Researchers from the Civic Society’s Local History Hub studied the original maps used at the 1867 auctions together with pictures past and present to enable us to look back through time to Ilkley at the point when it grew from a quiet village to a busy town.
"As the picture shows, Brook Street, Ilkley before the age of development was a slow, rural place with the occasional gas light, muddy roads, buildings with steep thatched roofs and tiny windows. And scarcely soul in sight. But no traffic - the only way to move anything heavy in those days was with a horse and cart.
"Three factors promoted rapid development in Ilkley – the need of the Middelton family to raise cash, the arrival in 1865 of train services and the desire from some residents for bigger and better housing with grand views to the north. With the increase in visitors, more people became aware of Ilkley’s attractive situation with the availability of fresh air and pure water.
"In association with the exhibition, there will be a talk about the display at the Manor House on Saturday August 5th at 2.30pm. All are welcome to come and hear more about Ilkley’s remarkable past."
The Manor House is open Saturdays and Sundays 11am-4pm and entry is free.
For more information please contact: chair@civicsociety.ilkley.org
