Wolverhampton is a city, metropolitan borough, and administrative centre in the West Midlands, England. Historically part of Staffordshire, the city grew initially as a market town specialising in the wool trade. During the Industrial Revolution, it became a major centre for coal mining, steel production, lock making, and the manufacture of cars and motorcycles. The economy of the city is still based on engineering, including a large aerospace industry, as well as the service sector.
Queen Square, March 1976
Large numbers of black and Asian immigrants settled in Wolverhampton in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. It is also home to a large proportion of the Sikh community. Natives of the city are called “Wulfrunians”. Wolverhampton became a metropolitan borough in 1974, as a result of local government reorganisation, and was granted city status on 18 December 2000.
Take a look back at the city through 36 fascinating images taken by David Rostance from 1975 to 1986. For more vintage photographs, visit Rostance’s Flickr site.
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