The days of clanging bells, belching smoke and flying horse-drawn fire engines are recalled in this picture of Bridgnorth Fire Brigade in 1888. It came originally from Miss Alice Crockson, of Friar Street, whose father, Mr G Crockson, is on the extreme left of the top row. The others are, from left: W Preen, W Dexter, T Wright, C Massey, and W Owen. In the front row (left to right) are: J Thomas, E Langford, T Jordan, J Lester, H Bishop, W Thomas, and Superintendent Childs.placeholder image
The days of clanging bells, belching smoke and flying horse-drawn fire engines are recalled in this picture of Bridgnorth Fire Brigade in 1888. It came originally from Miss Alice Crockson, of Friar Street, whose father, Mr G Crockson, is on the extreme left of the top row. The others are, from left: W Preen, W Dexter, T Wright, C Massey, and W Owen. In the front row (left to right) are: J Thomas, E Langford, T Jordan, J Lester, H Bishop, W Thomas, and Superintendent Childs. | Express & Star archive

Shropshire in the Victorian era: 37 pictures capturing life over a century ago

By Toby Neal
Published 28th Oct 2026, 10:08 GMT

A window into the Shropshire world of the Victorians

Thanks to photography, we have a window into the world of Shropshire’s Victorians - how they lived, what they looked like, and the towns they inhabited.

It was the first era to be documented by photography. And you know what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words.

So let’s take a trip back in time and take a look through the lens at the life of our Salopian forebears who were immortalised for posterity by something which still feels a bit special even today - the simple act of having our picture taken.

  • Shrewsbury in 1979: 25 pictures of football glory and life around town - see them here
  • You can enjoy this and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Shropshire and Mid Wales - all sent to your inbox every week. Sign up here
Here's one of Howle's portraits, of a woman from the Newport area. Voluminous dresses like this were the fashion in the 1860s.

17. Follower of fashion

Here's one of Howle's portraits, of a woman from the Newport area. Voluminous dresses like this were the fashion in the 1860s. | Malcolm Miles Collection

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The old Newport town hall, with a market under way. It was demolished some time between 1858 and 1860. Does that tower look crooked to you? On the left is the town's parish church. You'd have wanted to wipe your feet after walking around the town in those days.

18. The leaning tower of Newport

The old Newport town hall, with a market under way. It was demolished some time between 1858 and 1860. Does that tower look crooked to you? On the left is the town's parish church. You'd have wanted to wipe your feet after walking around the town in those days. | Malcolm Miles Collection

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A statue of Clive of India stands proud as the focus of the cobbled Square in Shrewsbury. It was unveiled in 1860. On the left is the 1834 Shirehall built to a design by Sir Robert Smirke. Beyond the statue is the ancient market hall with a banner or poster hanging from it, and behind that are Shrewsbury refreshment rooms, according to a sign on the building. It looks a deserted scene, but that's misleading, as people moving about will have been turned into ghostly blurs.

19. Still not toppled

A statue of Clive of India stands proud as the focus of the cobbled Square in Shrewsbury. It was unveiled in 1860. On the left is the 1834 Shirehall built to a design by Sir Robert Smirke. Beyond the statue is the ancient market hall with a banner or poster hanging from it, and behind that are Shrewsbury refreshment rooms, according to a sign on the building. It looks a deserted scene, but that's misleading, as people moving about will have been turned into ghostly blurs. | Shrewsbury Chronicle

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The River Severn at Ironbridge was still a commercial waterway at the time of this picture, as indicated by the boat moored up by the Severn Warehouse. On January 25, 1895, a barge loaded with firebricks collided with one of the buttresses of Bridgnorth Bridge and broke up and sank. The three men on board escaped. It was the last commercial voyage on the River Severn in Shropshire.

20. A commercial waterway

The River Severn at Ironbridge was still a commercial waterway at the time of this picture, as indicated by the boat moored up by the Severn Warehouse. On January 25, 1895, a barge loaded with firebricks collided with one of the buttresses of Bridgnorth Bridge and broke up and sank. The three men on board escaped. It was the last commercial voyage on the River Severn in Shropshire. | Len Beeston

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