Ferry Landing

The south side ferry landing.  This photograph would have been taken over 70 years ago.  The ferry landing was in front of the the Golden Lion.

Fire Station

Cambria Street was the site of the fire station. It was demolished in the 1970’s to make way for the present Primary School.  Behind the fire station was the mortuary.  In the early days, when the fire engine was horse draw, it was said that they use to have trouble catching the horse.

Ford Council School

The original Ford Council School, built in Albion Street in the 1870’s and was to accommodate 500 scholars.  It was originally know as the “Ford Board School” then Ford County School.  The first Headmaster was Mr Joseph Bentley.

Chain Ferry

The earliest reference to the ferry was 1322.  The Chain Ferry ceased in 1915 although the passenger ferry continued until 1955.  The last ferryman was Charlie Darby.  This photograph was taken by Sep Collins who owned the barbers shop.  As can be seen, there is nothing to show of the riverside activity.

Cambria Arms

In Railway Terrace.  At one time called “The Cambria” and referred to as a “Beer House”.  In 1867, Matthew Bell was recorded as beer-house keeper in Railway Terrace.  In 1881 Wm. Goodfellow was at 4 Railway Terrace, later given as Cambria House.  Original Photograph taken circa early 1930.

Gas House

Very little is known about this house.  It was owned by the South Hylton Gaslight & Coke Company who was bought by the Sunderland Gas Company in the 1920’s.  Shortly afterwards it was demolished.

Golden Lion Inn

The Golden Lion Inn, Ferryboat Row, was first mentioned in 1856 when Ralph Lister was the publican.  The present building was erected on the same site around 1910.  In 1978 it was given a grade II listing.

Hylton Bank

This photograph of Hylton Bank from just above the Station was taken in the early 1900’s.  The building on the skyline, in the centre, is that of High Ford Farm which had been there a lot longer than when this photograph was taken.

Ford Terrace

Originally thought to have been taken in the 1930’s.  Since the Society was given the original, we have been able to date it to 1954 and it was shortly after this date that they were demolished.  In the early 1970’s, the Community Centre was built as a temporary building.  In 2007 this will be replaced with a new facility.

Ford Lodge

Some of the many occupants were the Gales Shipbuilding family in the early to middle 1800’s.  Then Dr. Handysides had it as the village surgery and latterly, it was used as a care home.  Sadly, it is now ready for demolition, and to be re-developed with luxury flats built in its place.

The Paper Mill

The original paper mill was built in 1836 & opened on August 28th, 1838.  After a damaging fire, a new mill was built and this was closed in 1971, after 133 years of paper making.  The plant was famous for making paper out of Esparto Grass, a process pioneered by Thomas Routledge, who became owner in 1864.

Police Station

The first mention of No 44 Cambria Street being a Police House was in the 1881 Census Returns when Sergeant William B. Smith was in charge.  This photograph taken in 1938 when Sergeant Pedder was in charge. It had two cells, and to date they are still there, although used for different reasons.

Wesleyan Chapel

Opened in 1866 in Vicarage Lane.  In 1890 the schoolroom was added and was last used for worship in 1961.  It was finally demolished in 1984.

The building at the bottom left of the street is the Shipwrights Hall, later used as a cinema and finally as a billiards hall before it was eventually demolished sometime in the 1950’s.

New Road

Now called Claxheugh Road.  The house to the left is Sycamore Villa.  When this photograph was taken in the 1920’s, there was no Council Houses.

Hylton Station

In 1852 the line was opened for freight then a year later in 1853, for passengers.  It was possible, with some trains, to board at Hylton and not leave the carriage until the terminus at Middleton-in-Teasdale was reached.  Sadly, in May 1964, Lord Beecham decided to close the line.

Primitive Methodist Chapel

The land the Primitive Methodist Church rebuilt their chapel on in 1880, was bought from W. H. Jolly (of the Jolly buses) for £76.00.  In 1908 the schoolroom was added.  Sadly, in August of 2000 the last worship took place.  A number of planning applications has been submitted to replace the church with houses.

The Quarry

The earliest mention of the quarry was in the 1930’s.  Magnesium Limestone was quarried here, some of which found its way to the Washington Chemical Works, who owned the quarry at one time.  Production at the quarry ceased in 1980.

Ford Villa

At one time the home of the Wigham family. When they moved out it was used by some of the Paper Mill managers.  Eventually, it was bought by Vaux Breweries who turned it into The Jolly Potter as it still is today.  This Jolly Potter replaced the original one in Low Row, down on the riverside.

Primrose Street

These is little to be said about Primrose Street.  Although this photograph was taken in the 1930’s, little of the street has changed.

Sunniside

The original photograph was taken sometime in the early 1910’s.  The bottom building is that of the first Post Office in the village and run by Mr A. Gowens.  These buildings were erected in 1857.  By 1969 the Post Office had shut and moved to its present site.  The Post Office was used as a filling station by W. Spoors.

St. Mary’s Church

Hylton Lodge as it was originally called and given over by Vice-Admiral Maling and altered to be used as a church.  In 1817 it was licensed as a “Chapel of Ease” and was dedicated to St. Mary The Virgin.  After a fire in 1878 the present church was built and was consecrated in June 1880.  The bell tower was added in May 1930.

Railway Inn

(Now called The Hycroft).  First mentioned in 1856 when William Wakefield was the publican.  This photograph looks to have been taken in the early 1940’s, just before electricity came into the village.  Just above the name is the wording “Good Stabling and Accommodation for Cyclists”

Sep Collins Shop

Many of the early 1900’s photographs the Society holds are the result of Sep Collins.  Besides being the village barber,  “Sep”, as he was known, was an amateur photographer.  Lamed as a young man whilst working at one of the forges, still managed to carry his heavy photographic equipment.  He dies in 1925 aged 47 of pneumonia.

The Co-op

The “Sunderland Equitable Industrial Society”.  Like many of the Co-op shops, it had three departments.  Fruit & Vegetable, Drapery and Provisions.  Again, like many of the Co-op shops, it was closed and currently house 2 ladies hairdressers and a pizza shop.

Field House

Awaiting confirmation of information.

Ford Oval

The photograph on the left was taken in 2003.  King Edward Road led to Ford Oval.  In 2005, Sunderland Housing Group demolished Ford Oval and built a selection of houses for rent or buy.  It is now called “South Hylton Green”.

Lance Defty’s Shop

Lance Defty’s high-class ladies fashion shop.  Lance also had another fashion shop in Holmeside, in Sunderland.

Railway Underpass, top of Keelman’s Lane

The railway bridge at the top of Keelman’s Road.  It carried the railway lines to and from Sunderland from the 1850’s till 1964.  When it was decided to extend the Metro to South Hylton in early 2000, it was demolished and replaced with the present underpass.

Cambria Street/Railway Terrace

Taken sometime in the early 1900’s.  On the opposite end is the Kraal.  Over the years it has been used for a variety of trades including a ladies dress shop and a number of fruit shops.  When the “now” photograph was taken in 2006, it was a food shop shop.

Claxheugh Cottage

Owned by the Paper Mill.  It was know as the “Chauffeurs Cottage”.  On the corner of Claxheugh Road and Keelman's Road.  It was occupied by Mr & Mrs Young, Mr Young being the chauffeur to the mill manager.  It would probably have been demolished when the paper mill was demolished in 1971.