George's Square Halifax — The Heart of the Town Centre

George’s Square, Halifax: The Street That Became a Square

Is it George Street or George Square? In central Halifax, the answer depends partly on which stretch you mean. The names have a historical explanation: George Street and George Square were once distinct parts of the town centre, and the wider space that developed over time left both names in use.

A street with several names

George Street has an uncertain naming history. Calderdale’s local-history archive records several earlier names, including Back Lane, Loveledge, Lovelace and Lovelace Lane. There are also competing explanations for “George”: one suggests a connection with Prince George, later King Christian VII of Denmark, who travelled through Europe in 1768; another links the name to Sir George Savile. Neither explanation should be treated as definitively established.

Making room for a wider square

Around 1835, buildings in George Street, Silver Street and Black Swan Passage were demolished to widen George Square. This was a substantial change to a densely built-up part of Halifax, where narrow passages and closely packed properties had formed the older street pattern.

The area continued to change over the following century. A photograph from the 1920s shows the older George Street lined with buildings, including the offices of the Halifax Guardian. Some properties on the right-hand side were demolished before the Second World War, opening up the space further. Local accounts also recall damage to shops below the Halifax Courier offices when a runaway lorry struck them.

Buildings added in the 1950s brought another layer to the changing streetscape. The result was an area whose layout and appearance evolved through successive rounds of demolition and rebuilding.

A town-centre space still evolving

George Square and George Street have continued to be part of Halifax’s changing town centre. In the twenty-first century, regeneration plans have sought to create a greener, more welcoming public space, with room for pedestrians, seating and community events.

The area’s double identity is a small but telling piece of Halifax history. What looks today like one connected town-centre space grew out of older streets, narrow passages and repeated efforts to reshape the town.

Looking down George Street in the 1920s

Looking up George Street as it appeared in the twenties. The last of these properties on the right was demolished just before the 1939-1945 war (including the Halifax Guardian offices near the top right). Shops below the Courier offices were mostly destroyed by a runaway lorry.

When is a street not a square? Or, to put it another way, when is a Square not a Street?

There seems to be a perpetual confusion over whether the road and precinct in the centre of Halifax should be called George Street or George Square. Matters are not helped by the fact that on one side a nameplate pronounces George Square, while on the other side another - a newer one - states that the avenue is George Street. And the addresses of businesses are given either as Square or Street, not always according to which nameplate is at their side.

It is a confusing state of affairs that has a historical explanation, as this week's picture shows. At one time there definitely was both a George Street and a George Square, the latter below the former. The picture, from the 1920's, shows what was George Street, before the properties on the right were demolished, creating the broader thoroughfare we know today. The duel name given to the area is a legacy of it's older, built up days.

It looks as if demolition was already under way when this picture was taken, for there are exposed stones visible on the far right edge. Properties on the left are still recognisable, with the Griffin, now called Griff's(Bow legged with Brass), visible at the top, and the familiar outline of Bull Green glimpsed at the top of the street. Buses depart from George Street today, but in the 1920's, of course, there was a tram stop.

Evening Courier 'Flashback' article 1992

Looking down George Street. Horse and cart stood near to the Halifax Guardian offices.

Around 1870, the general Post Office stood opposite the Guardian printing offices in the building known as Somerset House , which is still there today. For the purpose of letter carrying there were just a dozen full time men in uniform. Mr. Hargreaves was the chief postman or 'letter carrier' and the post Master was Mr. Francis.

There were three deliveries per day and one on a Sunday. Apart from Mondays, when there were no London mails, postmen started at 5.45am and it was quite an effort to become a full blown postman. An application included filling out a form, a mathematics examination, prove himself capable of reading (often badly written addresses), pass a character test and read an oath of allegiance for the J.P. whose office was a couple of doors down the street.

He also had to pass a physical examination and have two or three vaccinations. If he survived he was officially clothed in the GPO garments.

The postmen of that day had 3 distinct areas to deliver to and had to walk at least 3 miles per hour, which included the time it took for people to come to the door and often ask all manner of questions about the post.

If they missed the delivery of a letter, they had a penalty of 7 days in gaol. They were not allowed to push a letter under the door (in case a dog got it)or hand it over in the street.

To compensate for the poor pay the postmen relied on tips and Christmas boxes. Christmas was the only time the job was worth anything.