When  the  railway  was  brought  in  1864-5,  the  resident  population
did  not  much  exceed  1,000  persons.  It  is  now  about  7,000,  and  this
number  is  probably  quite  doubled  by  resident  visitors  in  the  summer
season,  while  the  number  of  day-visitors  cannot  be  far  short  of
200,000  in  the  course  of  twelve  months.  These  are  largely  drawn
from  the  populous  city  of  Bradford  and  neighbourhood,  who,  glad  to
escape  from  the  dust  and  environment  of  crowded  streets,  frequently
take  the  familiar  walk  over  the  high  bracing  moors  from  Saltaire
and  Bingley.  A  notable  step  for  the  public  weal  in  the  future  was
made  by  the  Ilkley  Local  Board  in  1892,  when  the  whole  manorial
rights  over  Ilkley  Moor,  Hollin  Hall  Moor,  Heber's  Ghyll  and  the
Panorama  Rocks,  were  purchased  from  Mr.  C.  W.  Middleton,  lord  of
the  manor.  This  important  purchase  by  the  local  authorities  has
practically  given  to  the  public  the  right  of  access  to  upwards  of  2000


32t

acres  of  fine  moorland  and  woodland,  with  all  rights  of  water  on  the
moors  and  other  privileges,  a  boon  of  priceless  value  as  the  need  for
open  spaces  increases.  There  has  been  for  some  time  a  desire  to
raise  the  general  status  of  the  town  by  the  erection  of  Public  Offices,
and  at  a  meeting  of  the  District  Council  held  October  4th  1899,
it  was  resolved  that  steps  be  taken  to  carry  the  proposal  into  effect
The  buildings  are  to  include  provision  for  a  museum  and  free  library,
on  a  plot  of  land  purchased  for  the  purpose  in  Station  Road.  The
total  cost  will  probably  reach  ;^8,ooo  to  ;^  10,000.
