THE absence of traffic highlights the spaciousness of early 20th century North Street, and allows an uncluttered appreciation of the quality of its architecture, with shopfronts still matching the storeys above.

The chief form of public transport – as the lines in the road suggest – was the tram.

Indeed, the scene pays tribute to Keighley’s ability to create such an impressive vista during the single decade of the 1890s.

That the parade along the left-hand side was not erected en bloc is shown by the building of paler stone, which has more recently filled in a gap.

The shop at the far left belonged to china and glass dealer, Welbrough Waddington.