Northampton was nationally important in medieval times but most traces of the period were destroyed by the Great Fire of 1675. The rebuilt town centre, the development of the shoe trade in the nineteenth century, and the era of transport and work in the community was later engulfed by the spreading boundaries of the town, as were the industry and commerce which graced the River Nene. Today the shoe factories have all but gone; motor cars and buses have replaced the trams and many impressive buildings reflecting civic pride have disappeared at the hands of developers. Northampton Through Time seeks to show these changes through a splendid array of photographs, reflecting the contrast between the bustling Northampton of today and the grandeur of the past, providing a valuable archive and insight into the history of the town for all.
