Dean School House in Rob Lane, Newton-le-Willows, which was threatened with demolition in May 1968 when this picture was taken. Built in 1677 by wealthy local, John Stirrup, it ceased operating as a school sometime between the late 17th and mid 18th centuries and was then used for domestic purposes. It had fallen derelict by the 1960s and was rebuilt during the 1970s.placeholder image
Dean School House in Rob Lane, Newton-le-Willows, which was threatened with demolition in May 1968 when this picture was taken. Built in 1677 by wealthy local, John Stirrup, it ceased operating as a school sometime between the late 17th and mid 18th centuries and was then used for domestic purposes. It had fallen derelict by the 1960s and was rebuilt during the 1970s.

20 wonderful old photographs of Wigan buildings and scenes from many moons ago

By Michelle Adamson
Published 6th Apr 2026, 15:45 GMT

Anyone interested in local history should lap up this gallery of Wigan street scenes and well-known buildings from the Observer vaults.

Some still standing and others long gone.

The Brown and Haigh clothing factory at the end of Wood Street, Wigan, in the 1960s. Billy Davies, Wigan's well known gay man, who worked as an attendant at the Ritz cinema for many years, lived in the street and used to berate the workers for walking over his newly mopped front.

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The Brown and Haigh clothing factory at the end of Wood Street, Wigan, in the 1960s. Billy Davies, Wigan's well known gay man, who worked as an attendant at the Ritz cinema for many years, lived in the street and used to berate the workers for walking over his newly mopped front. Photo: Frank Orrell

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1966 - Anderton's sewing factory in Millgate is under demolition in the foreground with rows of houses in Bold Street and Low Street behind and the new maisonettes further back as the new Scholes rises in July 1966.

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1966 - Anderton's sewing factory in Millgate is under demolition in the foreground with rows of houses in Bold Street and Low Street behind and the new maisonettes further back as the new Scholes rises in July 1966. Photo: Frank Orrell

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Bamfurlong Miners Institute which stood on the corner of Lily Lane and Warrington Road, Platt Bridge. It was known locally as the Miners Hall picture house and was demolished around 1964 to make way for the new British Legion.

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Bamfurlong Miners Institute which stood on the corner of Lily Lane and Warrington Road, Platt Bridge. It was known locally as the Miners Hall picture house and was demolished around 1964 to make way for the new British Legion. Photo: Frank Orrell

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Castle Hill, Hindley, in 1926.

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Castle Hill, Hindley, in 1926. Photo: Frank Orrell

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