Helen Street

I think this is one of my favourite houses in Saltaire village. (I have several favourites actually). It's the end terrace on the corner of Helen Street and Caroline Street, right at the heart of the village. (To see a street plan of Saltaire, click here.) I like its proportions and the fact that, being on the end of the row, it has rooms with double-aspect windows. It must be much lighter and brighter inside than some of the mid-terrace houses. It has also retained the original windows and doors (or perhaps had faithful copies made). It was built in 1857. Later, the wash-house and public baths opened almost opposite - but because these were not well-used, they were soon closed. Eventually that building was demolished, leaving an open square, which means the area feels quite spacious.

I have said before that the streets in Saltaire are mostly named after family members of Sir Titus Salt (the village's founder). Helen (1852-1924) was his fourth daughter, born - to her father's joy - the year after two of his young children had died. She became her father's secretary for the last three years of his life, when Amelia (his first daughter and private secretary) got married. It was the custom in those days that, once married, women did not work (well, did not have paid employment; I bet they still worked jolly hard!). Helen never married.