The city’s oldest residents will remember when the river still went as far as where the cenotaph is today.
Others will recall when the centre had well-kept ornamental gardens with neat lawns and flower beds.
Bristol city centre has changed dramatically over the decades and Bristolians of all ages will have their own memories and views of the area. These days, the late 1990s-installed fountains have stopped working are finally due to be removed. Some will say it looked much nicer in the old days.
Here are 12 incredible photos from the archives showing Bristol city centre as it was, going back to Victorian times through to the late 1970s.
5. City centre gardens
Taken in the summer of 1978, this colourful shot taken from the bottom of College Green shows St Augustine’s Parade and the well manicured lawns of the city centre gardens. | Colin Park
6. College Green
Taken in 1967 by Olive Evans from an office on Broad Quay, this colour photo shows the bottom of Park Street and College Green | Know Your Place
7. Victorians
A fascinating view from College Green looking across St Augustine’s Reach, circa 1890. | Know your place
8. Colston Street
Colston Street in autumn 1912, showing the Victorian Gas Co. building and the Colston Hall. | Know Your Place