This is a view of Bonemill Lane. The wagonway on the left would bring coal from Harraton Colliery to Chartershaugh Staithes for shipment downstream to Sunderland. To the right is Fatfield School which was built in 1876, and unfortunately it was closed in July 1998 and Demolished in 1999.

In the distance we can see St. Georges church, built in 1879. However in the present day photo it is partially obscured by trees and the bridge which carries the Washington Highway over Bonemill Lane. Fatfield Sqaure was situated on 5 acres of land behind the school and in 1920 it housed 64 families, mostly miners.

Fortes

The Forte Family originally set up their ice cream making business in Station Terrace in 1920. The adjoining Billiard Saloon was also run by the Fortes. This photo, taken in 1922, shows Mr Giovanni Forte, his sister Maria and his daughter Mary. The Station Terrace premises have since been demolished, However Mr Giulio Forte and his family have continued in their business with a café and billiard saloon in Victoria Road.

Fpit

Washington Colliery dates back to 1775. At that time the land was leased to William Russell & Partners. A series of pits were sunk and lettered from A - J. F pit was sunk in 1777, however it was closed in 1796 for 24years following an explosion which resulted in the pit filling with water. It was re-opened in 1820 and became the main coal outlet for the colliery. By 1960's F Pit produced 486,000 tons of saleable coal a year and employed 1500 men. Unfortunately, F Pit was closed on 21st June 1968 - it was the oldest working pit in the country. The winding house and pithead gear was preserved and in 1976 the Washington Corporation re-opened it as a museum. The museum has recently been closed.

This is a view of Front Street in the 1950's. The shops on the left are Davidson's the Butchers, Duncan's the Grocers and Jones, which sold clothes, shoes, haberdashery and hardware. Laurens Court and Speculation Place have now replaced these shops. On the right we can see that the bay windows and gardens have disappeared. The Post Office remains the same although its frontage has been extended. This photo shows the bygone days of the horse and cart. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of the Front Street scene today!