Wolverhampton is a city, metropolitan borough, and administrative centre in the West Midlands, England. Historically part of Staffordshire, the city grew initially as a market town specializing in the wool trade. During the Industrial Revolution, it became a major centre for coal mining, steel production, lock making, and the manufacture of cars and motorcycles. The economy of the city is still based on engineering, including a large aerospace industry, as well as the service sector.

Large numbers of black and Asian immigrants settled in Wolverhampton in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. It is also home to a large proportion of the Sikh community. Natives of the city are called “Wulfrunians”. Wolverhampton became a metropolitan borough in 1974, as a result of local government reorganization, and was granted city status on December 18, 2000.

Take a look back at the city through 36 fascinating images taken by David Rostance from 1975 to 1986. For more vintage photographs, visit Rostance’s Flickr site.

Queen Square, March 1976

Railway Street, April 1975

Darlington Street, April 1975

Lichfield Street, April 1975

Lichfield Street, June 1975

Connaught Road, January 1977

Chelsea Football Fans outside Wolverhampton railway station, May 1977

South Street, July 1977

West Park, October 1977

Remembrance Sunday, November 1977

Anti-racist demonstrators, Molineux Street, March 1978

Tettenhall Road, January 1979

Stafford Street, May 1979

Court Road, August 1979

Mander Centre car park, November 1979

Chapel Ash, February 1980

Chapel Ash, May 1980

A contretemps at the junction of Lord Street and Merridale Road, June 1980

West Park, June 1980

Wolverhampton Ring Road, December 1980

Allen Road, February 1981

Newhampton Road West, February 1981

Mander Centre, August 1982

Pedestrians crossing the junction of Darlington Street and Red Lion Street, May 1984

Wulfrun Centre, May 1984

Darlington Street, May 1984

Wolverhampton railway station, August 1984

Whitmore Reans, June 1984

Allen Road, June 1985

Fun Fair at West Park, June 1985

North Street, June 1985

Queen Square, June 1985

Tettenhall Road, May 1986

Rain shower, May 1986

Princes Square, July 1986

Lichfield Street, July 1986