Wish you were here? Postcards from the golden age of Saltburn, Redcar and Whitley Bay

In the postcard era of 100 years ago, people didn’t travel far, and so many of the cards that Margaret’s family saved are from friends holidaying on the east coast. This week’s selection comes from the fashionable resorts of Saltburn, Redcar and Whitley Bay.

By chance, we discovered in The Northern Echo of exactly 150 years ago, a report concerning the holiday season at the new resort of Saltburn which, of course, had been founded 11 years earlier, in 1861, by Darlington’s Henry Pease.

The Pease family also had money in The Northern Echo and so, perhaps unsurprisingly, the paper was always supportive of the efforts to develop the railway resort.

Therefore, in 1872, it was mightily impressed by the progress it saw, although it felt the train service needed some improving…

Saltburn from Hunt Cliff on a card posted in 1932. Immediately beneath the photographer's feet are number of beachside huts on the gentle, grassed slope. Today, there is little or no sign of them as the cliff has slipped away

WE understand that this newly formed seaside resort is quite full – every available lodging accommodation, which is now pretty considerable, being taxed to its upmost capability.

To look back to the period when the first stone was laid at Saltburn, and to look now at its handsome and commodious buildings, a casual visitor may well be filled with amazement at its rapid growth. To provide first class lodging and hotel accommodation, the Zetland was reared almost regardless of cost. It is now become a valuable property, as has also the Alexandra.

The pleasure gardens came next. These prove from season to season a source of great attraction, more particularly during the hours when the fine military band, under the conductorship of Herr Franz Groenings, occupies the orchestra.

The promenade pier, stretching itself 1500 feet into the sea, came next in order and has proved itself a profitable as well as an enjoyable attraction, as is proved from the fact that occasionally close upon 4,000 persons have patronised it in one day.

The hoist, which belongs to the same company, has proved an incalculable boom to travellers.

The lattice girder bridge (above), 660 feet in length and 150 feet high, which spans the ravine, attracts many visitors. The panoramic view therefrom in all directions is very fine.

The company formed some time ago for providing assembly, concert, and promenade rooms are stirring, and a start may soon be made on the admirable site secured for the purpose.

The firm level beach, the woods adjoining the pleasure gardens, the Hazel Grove, overlooked by the convalescent home, all form parts of Saltburn’s many attractions, which, to review even cursorily, would occupy more space than we can afford.

The increased facilities for reaching it by rail offered by the North Eastern Railway Company in reducing the prices of tourists’ tickets is being appreciated by the public. It is to be regretted that fewer cheap day excursions are being run this season than previously and thus many of the workmen from the neighbouring towns are debarred from enjoying a day's outing with their families at the seaside.

We shall be glad to learn that last year's service of excursion trains, from all parts, is likely to be renewed, if not extended, this year.

An amazing view from the Halfpenny Bridge which stretched at a very high level across the valley in Saltburn. The photographer on this 1924 card is looking down on the valley gardens and bandstand, which are almost lost amid the tree-lined slopes. In the distance on the left is Rushpool Hotel

The Cat Nab at Saltburn, with shuggy boats on the sands beneath. This conical hill, shaped by years of weathering, is supposed to get its name because a colony of wild cats once lived there

An unusual view on this 1904 postcard which must have been taken from the Halfpenny Bridge looking out to sea over the top of Cat Nab

A 1930s postcard taken from above the Ship Inn looking over the mouth the ravine towards Henry Pease's Victorian resort

A hellishly crowded promenade at Redcar in the mid 1930s - the people must have gathered ready to watch a parade. Everyone, except the small boy at the front, is wearing a hat

A card postmarked August 3, 1914, and the apocalyptic sky over Redcar is understandable: on August 4, Britain declared war on Germany. The message on the rear, though, is all about how a child called Vera is enjoying her beach holiday. "We carn't get her off the sands," says the pencil handwriting

A view from the north of Redcar looking down the seafront towards the pier. It was posted in June 1948, when the holiday was being marred by showers

A 1923 postcard sent from Whitley Bay back to a house called Fern Hollow in Heighington. "Walked to Tynemouth this morning, returned by train," says the message on the rear

A 1931 postcard of Spanish City in Whitley Bay. The "city" got its unusual name from the Toreadors concert party that performed on what was a rugby ground from 1904. A makeshift stage that looked like a Spanish village was made and became known as the "Spanish city". Businessman Charles Elderton, who had been behind the Toreadors' success, decided to turn the makeshift venue into an entertainment palace. It took just 80 days to build using revolutionary reinforced concrete and when it officially opened on May 14, 1910, the 75ft high dome was the second largest in the country after the one on St Paul's Cathedral in London

An animated holiday scene at Whitley Bay on this 1912 card as the holidaymaker set to sea in rowing boats. Gregg's cafe is at the top of the ramp on the far right. The only message back to Darlington on this card is: "Enjoying the champions." What can it mean?