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Things you probably didn't know about Leeds

Wool, railways and the very first moving picture.

  1. 1888 — fact 1 of 4

    The world’s first moving film was shot here

    In 1888, Louis Le Prince filmed traffic crossing Leeds Bridge — years before Edison and the Lumières.

  2. 1758 — fact 2 of 4

    The oldest working railway

    The Middleton Railway has been carrying coal since 1758 and still runs steam trains today.

  3. 1884 — fact 3 of 4

    Marks & Spencer started on Leeds market

    Michael Marks opened his penny bazaar on Kirkgate Market in 1884; the partnership with Spencer came later.

  4. 1858 — fact 4 of 4

    A Victorian temple of town pride

    Leeds Town Hall, opened by Queen Victoria in 1858, was the tallest building in Leeds for over a century.

Our Leeds collection is part of a growing local-history library — more cities and facts are being added.

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