Market Place

1916

This colorized postcard from 1916 captures the bustling Market Place in Durham, the historic heart of the city. At the center stands the statue of the Third Marquess of Londonderry, seated proudly on horseback, a landmark since 1861. Just behind, the colonnaded Market Cross—dating back to the 17th century—echoes the city’s medieval past as a vital commercial and social hub.

Shops line the cobbled street with tidy Victorian façades, and horse-drawn carts and early automobiles share the space, reflecting a society mid-transition between eras. The intricate Gothic Revival Guildhall, visible on the right, still serves civic functions to this day.

This image offers a glimpse into daily life during World War I, when markets like these remained vital for morale, supplies, and continuity in a changing world.

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