Document of the Month January 2009
Changing Aberdeen: Broad Street
The featured documents this month are from our photographic collection. This consists of photos from Aberdeen City Council's Publicity and Promotions Department and records the changes the city has gone through in the Twentieth Century. The three featured photographs show the changes made to Broad Street in the early 1970s to accommodate the extension to the Town House.
The first image shows Broad Street as it was before development began. McKay's Stores on the corner of Queen Street is clearly recognisable, and it appears to be the only premises open at the time of the image. Charles Coutts, chemist, a few doors down from McKay's seems to be closed as do the other shops on the street. The buildings also appear to be slightly run down, with some slates missing from the roof of the building Charles Coutts is situated in.
BROADSTREETBEFORE.JPG)
© Aberdeen City Council (Aberdeen City Archives reference PPD/2/5/1(4))
The second image shows the area after the buildings have been demolished. The headquarters of Grampian Police on Queen Street are clearly visible, along with the back of the older Town House and Society of Advocates building.
© Aberdeen City Council (Aberdeen City Archives reference PPD/16/6/1)
The third image shows the completed Town House extension which was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen in 1977 while visiting the city in her Silver Jubilee year.
© Aberdeen City Council (Aberdeen City Archives reference PPD/16/6/31)
For a copy of any of these images please contact us.
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