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 1975Darlington Street, April 1975Lichfield Street, April 1975Lichfield Street, June 1975Connaught Road, January 1977Chelsea Football Fans outside Wolverhampton railway station, May 1977South Street, July 1977West Park, October 1977Remembrance Sunday, November 1977Anti-racist demonstrators, Molineux Street, March 1978Tettenhall Road, January 1979Stafford Street, May 1979Court Road, August 1979Mander Centre car park, November 1979Chapel Ash, February 1980Chapel Ash, May 1980A contretemps at the junction of Lord Street and Merridale Road, June 1980West Park, June 1980Wolverhampton Ring Road, December 1980Allen Road, February 1981Newhampton Road West, February 1981Mander Centre, August 1982Pedestrians crossing the junction of Darlington Street and Red Lion Street, May 1984Wulfrun Centre, May 1984Darlington Street, May 1984Wolverhampton railway station, August 1984Whitmore Reans, June 1984Allen Road, June 1985Fun Fair at West Park, June 1985North Street, June 1985Queen Square, June 1985Tettenhall Road, May 1986Rain shower, May 1986Princes Square, July 1986Lichfield Street, July 1986