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Fascinating Vintage Photos Show What Birmingham, UK Looked Like in the 1960s

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Birmingham’s economy flourished in the 1960s. By 1961 household incomes in the West Midlands were 13% above the national average, exceedingly even than those of London and the South East. Birmingham Rotunda opened in 1965 and a statue named Hebe was erected in Holloway Circus. The Midlands Arts Centre for Young People was built in the 1960s. Aston University was also founded in 1966. The city was a fantastic site for the nights, there were many clubs, discos, pubs and bars in the 1960s.

These fascinating nostalgic photos will take you back to old Birmingham in the 1960s.

#2 Beatles fans queued through the night to get their hands on tickets for the December 9 gig. November 1, 1965

Beatles fans queued through the night to get their hands on tickets for the December 9 gig. November 1, 1965

The queue began to form outside the Odeon cinema, New Street, more than 10 hours before the box office was due to open.

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#3 Union Jack flying over Baskerville House, overlooking the Hall of Memory in Birmingham City Centre, August 1961.

Union Jack flying over Baskerville House, overlooking the Hall of Memory in Birmingham City Centre, August 1961.

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#4 An almost perfect start at Bromford Bridge although the angle may give a misleading impression. 29th August, 1961.

An almost perfect start at Bromford Bridge although the angle may give a misleading impression. 29th August, 1961.

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#5 Beatles members, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison sign autographs for police officers whilst in Birmingham, in November 1963.

Beatles members, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison sign autographs for police officers whilst in Birmingham, in November 1963.

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#7 The Old Market Hall in Birmingham, April 25th 1961.

The Old Market Hall in Birmingham, April 25th 1961.

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#8 Platform 1 of New Street Station in Birmingham, in 1965.

Platform 1 of New Street Station in Birmingham, in 1965.

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#9 Tame Valley canal at the rear of Leamington Road, Salford Bridge, in 1967.

Tame Valley canal at the rear of Leamington Road, Salford Bridge, in 1967.

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#13 Chief Superintendent H Palmer with Chief Inspector A Darke

Chief Superintendent H Palmer with Chief Inspector A Darke

They are talking to some of the drivers who will man the six Land Rovers fitted with wireless and special equipment that will patrol the outer police divisions of Birmingham, in 1961.

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#14 A view from the new Nechells Green Health Centre and lovely wide open spaces where once stood the back to back houses of Nechells, Birmingham, 8th September 1960.

A view from the new Nechells Green Health Centre and lovely wide open spaces where once stood the back to back houses of Nechells, Birmingham, 8th September 1960.

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#15 Duddeston tower blocks, Birmingham’s first multi-storey flats seen beyond the children’s play area in Duddeston Manor Road, 1st September 1968.

Duddeston tower blocks, Birmingham's first multi-storey flats seen beyond the children's play area in Duddeston Manor Road, 1st September 1968.

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#16 Auchinleck House at Five Ways, Birmingham, September 1968.

Auchinleck House at Five Ways, Birmingham, September 1968.

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#17 Kingshurst Hall, a 17th century moated hall, now derelict and soon to be demolished, which stands in the shadow of modern flats at Kingshurst Estate, 8th December, 1961.

Kingshurst Hall, a 17th century moated hall, now derelict and soon to be demolished, which stands in the shadow of modern flats at Kingshurst Estate, 8th December, 1961.

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#19 This huge “Welcome to Birmingham” sign was erected on the dual carriageway at the city boundary near Birmingham Airport to greet World Cup fans to Birmingham in 1966.

This huge "Welcome to Birmingham" sign was erected on the dual carriageway at the city boundary near Birmingham Airport to greet World Cup fans to Birmingham in 1966.

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#22 Flats at Stechford, with Giles Close House in the centre, in 1961.

Flats at Stechford, with Giles Close House in the centre, in 1961.

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#25 A ward at Birmingham Accident Hospital, the men in beds are all motorcycle cases, in 1960.

A ward at Birmingham Accident Hospital, the men in beds are all motorcycle cases, in 1960.

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#26 Clint Eastwood at the Albany Hotel on Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, 5th June 1967.

Clint Eastwood at the Albany Hotel on Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, 5th June 1967.

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#27 Bullring Open Air Market, Shopping Centre and Rotunda, 27th July 1963.

Bullring Open Air Market, Shopping Centre and Rotunda, 27th July 1963.

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#28 Bullring Open Air Market, Shopping Centre and Rotunda, 27th July 1963.

Bullring Open Air Market, Shopping Centre and Rotunda, 27th July 1963.

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#29 Birmingham Reference Library in Ratcliffe Place, circa 1960.

Birmingham Reference Library in Ratcliffe Place, circa 1960.

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#30 Malcolm X, African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist, poses beside the street sign for Marshall Street in Smethwick during a visit to the Midlands in 1965.

Malcolm X, African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist, poses beside the street sign for Marshall Street in Smethwick during a visit to the Midlands in 1965.

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#31 Mr Norwood at Austin Motors with an old car and an Austin Seven Countryman, Birmingham, circa 1960.

Mr Norwood at Austin Motors with an old car and an Austin Seven Countryman, Birmingham, circa 1960.

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#32 Birmingham Emergency Services.

Birmingham Emergency Services.

These six Land Rovers fitted with wireless and special equipment are to patrol the outer police divisions of Birmingham. Chief Superintendant H Palmer with Chief Inspector A Darke, talks to some of the drivers who will man the vehicles. 5th December 1961.

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#33 St Patrick’s Day March in Birmingham, 16th March 1969.

St Patrick's Day March in Birmingham, 16th March 1969.

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#34 Three young train spotters at a deserted Snow Hill railway station in Birmingham on a bank holiday Monday in 1962.

Three young train spotters at a deserted Snow Hill railway station in Birmingham on a bank holiday Monday in 1962.

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#35 Rush hour traffic using the flyover, 17th October 1961.

Rush hour traffic using the flyover, 17th October 1961.

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#36 HRH The Queen along with Coun S Turner, Chairman of the Children’s Committee, leaving 32 Calthorpe Road in 1963.

HRH The Queen along with Coun S Turner, Chairman of the Children's Committee, leaving 32 Calthorpe Road in 1963.

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#38 HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, during his visit to Birmingham to open the Bull Ring Shopping Centre on 29th May 1964.

HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, during his visit to Birmingham to open the Bull Ring Shopping Centre on 29th May 1964.

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#39 The Birmingham Hippodrome Tower in Scaffold, 1960.

The Birmingham Hippodrome Tower in Scaffold, 1960.

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#40 To get traffic moving on a new dual carriageway at Coventry Road, Yardley, sections of a pedestrian subway are being laid, 3rd October 1969.

To get traffic moving on a new dual carriageway at Coventry Road, Yardley, sections of a pedestrian subway are being laid, 3rd October 1969.

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#41 Baskerville House appears precariously perched above the huge hole that will rise Paradise Circus, 10th Sept 1969.

Baskerville House appears precariously perched above the huge hole that will rise Paradise Circus, 10th Sept 1969.

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#43 317-332 Broad Street and 38-44 Easy Row in Birmingham City Centre, in 1962.

317-332 Broad Street and 38-44 Easy Row in Birmingham City Centre, in 1962.

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#44 Traffic jam in New Street, Birmingham, November 1962.

Traffic jam in New Street, Birmingham, November 1962.

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#46 Tower blocks in Chamberlain Gardens, Ladywood, Birmingham, 2nd November 1964.

Tower blocks in Chamberlain Gardens, Ladywood, Birmingham, 2nd November 1964.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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