Moat Row, Smithfield Market

A lively day at Moat Row, part of Birmingham’s historic Smithfield Market, captured in this remarkable 1881 photograph. Horse-drawn carts crowd the muddy streets, vendors arrange their wares, and a bustling tram rolls past Mitchell’s Drapery, Read’s Tea & Coffee House, and other local businesses. Children wander between the stalls, while well-dressed shoppers inspect the market goods under the watchful eyes of gas lamps.

This image offers a vivid glimpse into Victorian-era Birmingham, showcasing the commercial spirit and daily rhythms of the city before the rise of the motor car. A place where commerce, community, and cobblestones came together.

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