Hope Hall, Halifax

The sketch and description were originally published in The Halifax Courier in 1912-1913. Hope Hall (Hope House originally) is thought to have been built some 160 years ago by David Stansfeld (1719-1769). In its earlier days it was a beautiful home for notable local families, among them the Rawsons and Waterhouses. Green fields stretched almost without interruption as far as Stoney Royd and in other directions – except Northwards towards the town proper – the buildings were few. A high wall fenced the grounds down Hunger Hill and away up New Road to South Parade. The sketch shows what is now spoken of as the front of the house; it used to be the back. The greatest part of the hall is occupied by the Albany Club. PH/28.