About this collection
The York City and County Bank was established in northern England in 1830 to serve local agricultural communities. It became a familiar feature on many high streets as it expanded to support urban populations around the region’s steel and iron industries. In 1909, the directors agreed to a takeover by the London Joint Stock Bank, which would later become part of Midland Bank (now HSBC UK). Around this time, the York bank photographed 120 key branches in its extensive network. The resulting images offer us an evocative look back at English townscapes from the start of the twentieth century. Electric trams were becoming a familiar sight in larger centres, and there are glimpses of early motor cars. However, the horse and cart remained a popular means of transport, and the streets certainly look relatively calm to modern eyes.
