« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 14 March 07 01:12 GMT (UK) »
Prior to the turn of the century (1900) Whitley Bay was known simply as Whitley. The Bay was added to avoid confusion with nearby Whitby.
In 1862 the railway was extended and reached Whitley causing a bit of a population explosion (pop.300 in 1861 - pop. 6,800 in 1901). With the increase of tourists came the building of "Spanish City" a permanant amusement park built in 1910 (closed now though). Judging by the clothes (and I'm no expert) and taking into account the name change at the turn of the last century I'd guess the postcard dates to around 1898.
I've Google searched for a pier at Whitley, but I've only discovered a lighthouse so far. It could've been and gone though? Hope it helps abit.
Michelle
BINI:Lucca,Italy/Sheffield/Shireoaks/Nott'm
JOHNSON:Whetstone,Leics
PINDER:Sheffield
KENNY:IRL,Dublin,ENG,Lancs,S.KENNY m BINI
BINGHAM:Sheffield/Shireoaks
WATSON:Foxton,Leics
WORMLEIGHTON:Enderby,Leics
MARSH:Sheffield
KEMBLE:Godalming/Leicester
GLEDHILL:Bolton,Lancs/Worsop,Notts
PEBERDY:Saddington/Foxton/Gumley, Leics
HORTON:Saddington/Foxton,Leics
DANN:Foxton/Cosby/Leics
HARRITY:Sheffield
COLDERLEY:Bolton,Lancs
JONES:ChurchGresley/Smisby,Derby's/Worksop,Notts
JEACOCK: LEI/Blaby