This image from our archives shows a figure skater at #Southampton Ice Rink in 1966. The original rink was destroyed in the Blitz but rebuilt in 1952. After a refurbishment by Top Rank in the #1960s it closed in 1988. Image copyright unknown #SotonAfterDark #IceRink #IceSkating

This photo from our archives shows a tram lit up one evening in #Southampton , probably for either the 1937 Coronation of George VI or George V’s Silver Jubilee in 1935. #Trams provided a means of getting around the town from 1879-1949 #SotonAfterDark #1900s

In 1936-38, archaeological excavations at Bitterne Manor uncovered the skeletal remains of several people, who had lived in the #Roman settlement of #Clausentum . Other finds included Roman coins, walls dating from 200-300 CE as well as this arch #SotonAfterDark #Southampton

The Royal Pier, early 1960s and 1976. The Mecca Ballroom on the Royal Pier hosted many events, including this May 1968 #Southampton #LionsClub charity boxing night. 11 bouts were held, with Peter Brisland winning the final one by defeating Ricky Budd #SotonAfterDark #Boxing

Finders Keepers: October 1851 #Southampton Council minutes record a Treasure Trove dispute over ancient coins found by workmen digging a sewer in Vyse Lane. They promptly sold them to a local jeweller arguably within their legal rights #SotonAfterDark #TreasureTrove

‘Long live the King!’ was the message on the Bargate on 12 May 1937, when George VI was crowned #SotonAfterDark #Coronation #Southampton #1930s

Did you know there used to be a #prison at the #Bargate called the Cage? This receipt from 1808 includes payment for “straw for the Cage” to provide some comfort to “vagrants and other prisoners” held there. 📷shows Bargate later in the #1800s #SotonAfterDark #Southampton

This photograph from our archive shows the New Hippodrome Theatre lit up for an evening of variety performances. The theatre was located on the corner of Windsor Terrace and Civic Centre Road. Marlands House is now on the site #SotonAfterDark #Theatre #Southampton #1940s

Painting showing the streetlights in #Southampton High Street in 1874. In 1818, the first lamplighter, Charles Beale was hired to light, clean and maintain all the town’s lamps and find oil, cotton and other items so they would burn “from sunset until daybreak” #SotonAfterDark

Canal Walk in the rain one evening in 1922, showing several shops and a group of children having a chat in the downpour. The sign at the edge of the photo reads ‘BSA Rifle Range, Amusements and Antiseptic Tattooing’ #SotonAfterDark #Rain #Southampton #1920s

In October 1927, Fritz Lang’s sci-fi classic Metropolis, in which a robot leads workers in a revolution against their leaders, played at the Palladium cinema in Portswood. This leaflet was used to advertise the showings #SotonAfterDark #Cinema #Southampton #1920s

#Southampton Central Baths were opened in 1962 by then-mayor Gladys Barker. The pictures show the outside of the pool at night and the indoor pool #SotonAfterDark #Swimming #1960s

Did you know Cadbury’s delivered hot chocolate to air-raid shelters in Southampton during the Blitz? These photos show a delivery van giving warm drinks to grateful adults and children #SotonAfterDark #WW2 #Chocolate #Blitz #Southampton

These photos from our archives show the number 5 #NightBus picking people up and dropping others off at Civic Centre Road one evening in 1966. The second image is particularly historical, showing a sight not seen on modern buses: a bus conductor! #SotonAfterDark #Southampton

In August 1642, Soton was under threat of attack during the Civil War. This order from our archives instructed the townspeople to guard the town through the night
#SotonAfterDark #EnglishCivilWar #1600s

These photos are of Netley Abbey and the Royal Victoria Hospital, both said to be haunted by ghosts, the abbey by a monk guarding treasure hidden there and the hospital by a nurse mourning her dead lover #Southampton #SotonAfterDark #Halloween #Ghosts #Netley

Lightning strikes Southampton in this stunning photo, taken in 1898.
#SotonAfterDark #Lightning #Southampton #1800s #Weather
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📷's from the 1845 Manual of Astronomy, written by #Southampton astronomer John Drew!🔭
Drew came to Southampton in 1830 and opened a school. He had an observatory in his garden, and researched meteorology to find a connection between weather and cholera outbreaks
#SotonAfterDark

These📷from our archives feature #Southampton ’s Star Hotel, a famous coaching inn in the 1700s. One shows the hotel in 1975. The sign advertising coaches to London probably refers to Collyer’s Long Coach, which left at 5am Monday to Saturday, travelling to London #SotonAfterDark

In September 1926, #Southampton inhabitants were being kept awake by groups of cats roaming the streets at night! #SotonAfterDark #Cats #1920s