Kirkstall Police Station was at the junction of Abbey Road and Commercial Road on the site of the old Kirkstall, Otley and Shipley Trust Turnpike Toll/Chain Bar, writes Mark Stevenson.
It was opened around 1857 and the new police force at first rented the property but was able to buy it in 1871 for £1,000.
A lot of bodies would be found in the nearby river and canal, so it was decided to add a mortuary in 1903.
In 1923 the Police Box System was introduced (Doctor Who’s Tardis to many) and in 1935 Kirkstall Police Station was to close.
It re-opened during the war and for a short time in 1947.
If you go to the Abbey Road junction today you will see a garden with a drinking fountain (the Drink and Be Grateful Fountain) – this is where the station was.
A little further up and you can see what little remains of the Library that was attached to the Police Station.
I’m 66 now thought it closed in the mid 50s time dulls the memory
Agree with you, Clive – thought it active in 50s. (Left the Kirkstall area in 1954) They really should do more for the site.
It’s up for auction soon, along with the mill buildings at the other end. It’s been completely empty since my Dad retired in 1985.
The building that was a library shown above and the section behind the billboards to the right of it, was my dads builders yard from at least 1972 (when I was 4) until around 1985 when he had to retire due to ill health.
His company was called McNeill Brothers. (Martin McNeill)
I have some great memories as a little boy in there.
Upsetting to see it still in a state of disrepair.
Richard.
Hi Richard i have just come across this article and i have being speaking to my mum about it, could you confirm if your uncle was called John McNeil? He was my Grandad i have so many memories with him. He isn’t my mums biological father but i always grew up to know him as my Grandad. Would be great to hear back.
Hi AnneMarie, Yes John was my uncle. I have fond memories of him. By all means you can email me direct rather than on a public forum. If you google my name and Leeds you will see my company ( you will recognise my middle names), just email there for my attention and I will reply. Rich