From its days as a booming coal-mining and shipbuilding port in the mid-nineteenth century through post-industrial decline and late twentieth-century regeneration, to its current status as a growing commercial centre and popular tourist destination, South Shields has a proud and distinctive identity. This extraordinary history is embodied in the buildings that have shaped the town. South Shields in 50 Buildings explores the history of this rich and vibrant community through a selection of its greatest architectural treasures. From the magnificent Edwardian town hall to the exciting new ventures such as The Word, this study celebrates the town's architectural heritage in a new and accessible way. Local author Caroline Barnsley guides the reader on a tour of South Shields' historic buildings and modern architectural marvels.