Blackpool’s coastline is one of the most photographed stretches of land in the United Kingdom. From the iconic Tower to the Pleasure Beach, its landmarks are etched into the national consciousness. However, this particular real photograph postcard focuses on a more sombre and architectural side of the town: the area around the North Pier, featuring the Cenotaph and the grand Hotel Metropole.
Dating the Postcard: A Window into the 1920s
To understand this image, we must look at the landmarks present. The most vital clue for dating this card is the Blackpool Cenotaph.
The Construction: The Cenotaph was commissioned to honour the 1,501 men from Blackpool who fell during the Great War.
The Unveiling: It was officially unveiled by the Earl of Derby on November 10, 1923.
Visual Evidence: Because the Cenotaph appears fully completed and weathered in this shot, and the surrounding Princess Parade is fully developed with its distinct railings and tiered walkways, we can confidently place this photograph in the mid-to-late 1920s or very early 1930s.
The lack of mid-century automotive traffic and the specific style of the tramway infrastructure further support a late-1920s origin, a period when Blackpool was booming as the primary holiday destination for the mill workers of Lancashire and Yorkshire.
The Architectural Anchors: Hotel Metropole and the Cenotaph
The image is dominated by two massive structures that represent very different aspects of British life.
1. The Hotel Metropole
On the left of the postcard stands the formidable Hotel Metropole. Originally opened as the Rossall House Hotel in 1776, it was significantly rebuilt and expanded at the turn of the century. It remains one of the few hotels in Blackpool that sits on the seaward side of the tram tracks. In this era, the Metropole was the height of luxury, playing host to the elite who wished to take in the "ozone" of the Irish Sea from their windows.
2. The Cenotaph
Standing tall at nearly 100 feet, the Cenotaph is a Grade II* listed structure made of white Cornish granite. It is an obelisk of immense proportions, designed by the borough's architect, Ernest Prestwich. In this vintage view, its pristine white stone contrasts sharply against the darker, soot-stained brick of the town behind it. It stands as a silent sentinel over the waves, a permanent reminder of sacrifice in a town built for joy.
The Princess Parade: Engineering the Seafront
The "Princess Parade" itself, which stretches across the mid-ground of the photo, was a feat of Edwardian engineering. Named after Princess Louise, who opened it in 1912, this section of the promenade was designed to be "sunken" or tiered. This allowed visitors to walk sheltered from the biting winds of the Irish Sea while still enjoying the view.
In the photograph, you can see the white spray of a wave crashing against the lower sea wall. This illustrates the perennial battle Blackpool has fought with the tides. The promenade wasn't just for show; it was a sophisticated sea defence system that protected the burgeoning town from the seasonal Atlantic gales.
A Masterpiece of "Real Photograph" Postcards
The back of the card bears the inscription "THIS IS A REAL PHOTOGRAPH." In the early 20th century, this was a mark of quality. Unlike cheaper lithographic prints that used dots of colour, "real photo" postcards were actually developed on light-sensitive paper. This resulted in the rich silver-halide depth we see here—the deep blacks of the sea walls and the crisp, clear lines of the Cenotaph’s peak.
Blackpool’s Golden Age
During the time this photo was taken, Blackpool was the "working man's Eden." The town was a sprawling mass of theatres, ballrooms, and pier-end shows. Yet, this postcard captures a rare moment of stillness. There are no crowds of "Wakes Week" holidaymakers visible, only the spray of the sea and the solid, dependable architecture of the North Shore.
It serves as a reminder that before the neon lights of the modern Golden Mile took over, Blackpool was a place of grand Victorian and Edwardian ambition. The Cenotaph and the Metropole still stand today, though the world around them has changed beyond recognition. The Princess Parade remains a favourite spot for a "bracing" walk, though the fashion of the pedestrians has shifted from the cloche hats and heavy overcoats of the 1920s to the windbreakers of today.
Final Thoughts
Collecting and studying vintage postcards like this allows us to peel back the layers of our coastal towns. This image isn't just a souvenir; it is a document of a town honouring its dead while simultaneously building a future as a world-class resort. It captures the spirit of the 1920s—stoic, grand, and perpetually facing the sea.
