Harpenden from the 1950s to 1981

Selection from Jim Jarvis's slides

The Society was given a large collection of 35mm slides of scenes in Harpenden from Jim Jarvis’s extensive photographic output, which also includes many glass negatives of model railway locomotives, and of houses on the West Common estate built by Jarvis Brothers in the 1930s. The donation came through Mr Humm in the spring of 2013. Sets of slides relating to Harpenden Lawn Tennis Club have been passed to the club, and of scenes around Wheathampstead to the Wheathampstead History Society.

The Harpenden slides were digitised by Peter Boden, after they had been sorted into a geographical sequence. Dates on most of the slides help identify the historical sequence. Some photos show little change from Harpenden in the 2010s, but others provide evidence of buildings that have disappeared, notably some houses demolished to make way for the car park of Harpenden (Moat) House Hotel in the 1970s. Below is a selection from the collection, concluding in 1981 with one of Jim’s many stunning studies of trees around Harpenden – most of which have not yet been digitised.

To enlarge and view the pictures, click on the first one and follow through the sequence by clicking on ‘next’ – or choose just one picture.

Comments about this page

  • The Moat House was my Primary school, St. Dominic’s Convent. The 1st floor window to the right of the door (as you look at the photo) was upper 1 classroom.

    ed – there are some lovely photos of the school at that time, if you open the link. http://www.harpenden-history.org.uk/page/st_dominics_school 

    By Helen Cheshire (10/11/2015)
  • The Willow Tree was La Capri in the 60s, with frothy coffee and the BEST jukebox ever. 🙂

    By Helen Cheshire (10/11/2015)
  • The rugby pub.

    By Helen Cheshire (10/11/2015)
  • Just wondering if this is where Total Looks in now? It’s 71a High Street.

    By Harriet Maylin (17/08/2014)
  • In the 1960s there was a sweet shop situated on the corner called San Toy. My mother used to work there

    By Carol Clissold nee Pocock (17/03/2014)
  • In that parade of shops (right hand side of the bus stop) was a coffee bar called La Capri

    By Carol Clissold nee Pocock (17/03/2014)

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