Beautiful padlock embossed with the date 1903 found in Lincoln.

Life in Lincoln in 1903 was a time before cars ruled the roads, the air thick with coal smoke and the comforting scent of freshly baked bread.

King Edward VII sat on the throne, and electricity was still a novelty, flickering in homes where gaslight had long been the standard.

Life may have been simpler, but it was not always easier. The clang of machinery from the Ruston Procter Factory echoed across the city. The factory was a major employer in Lincoln, renowned for producing steam engines, agricultural machinery, and industrial equipment that drove progress across Britain and beyond.

In 1903 Residents in lincoln kept informed through their local newspapers, the Lincolnshire Echo and the Lincoln Gazette, with the latest headlines featuring a runaway carriage on Steep Hill, the rising price of coal, and the much-anticipated agricultural show.

For transport, the Lincoln Tramways Company had been running horse-drawn trams since 1882, carrying passengers along Newark Road and the High Street.

But change was coming, as In 1903, discussions were already underway to modernize the system, paving the way for electrification in 1905.

In the evenings, families came together in their modest homes. Entertainment was simple: a sing-song around the piano, a game of cards, or listening to tales from the eldest.

In 1903, Lincoln stood on the brink of change— a city steeped in history, yet always looking ahead to the future.