History of Blackpool

Blackpool is the number one tourist resort in thefollowed by piped water in 1864. Construction of
UK and its history suggests that it alwaysthe Promenade along the seafront began in 1856
seemed destined for this kind of greatness.and was completed around 1870. At the time,
Before the 18th century, Blackpool was simply aentertainment in Blackpool consisted wholly of
quiet hamlet by the sea surrounded by forestsUncle Tom's Cabin, a simple shack that provided
and impassable bogs. Then, in the 1700s, thedrinks, music and dancing.
upper crust of society began spending theirIn 1863, the North Pier was constructed and
summers at Blackpool, drawn mainly by the lurequickly became a favorite gathering place of
of the sea which, during those days, was believedupper-class tourists. The North Pier was the first
to have the power to cure diseases.of Blackpool's three famous piers.
By the middle of the 18th century, even theThe Central Pier, then known as the South Jetty,
middle and lower classes were taking summerwas erected in 1868. It had theatres and
sojourns at Blackpool to benefit from the sea'sassembly rooms as its main attraction, although
curative powers. It was not long before hordes ofthe pier only became popular when open-air
people trooped to Blackpool and could be seendancing for the masses was introduced in 1870.
paddling in the sea in search of health and a cureThe South Pier was completed in 1893, mainly as
for what ailed them.a complement to the development of South
The year 1781 marked a turning point inShore, which had well patronized 32-acre
Blackpool's history as two men, Thomas Cliftonamusement park that had a huge American
and Sir Henry Houghton, constructed a privateCarousel as its main attraction.
road that made Blackpool more accessible toThe development of the Pleasure Gardens began
people. It is no coincidence that 1781 also markedin the 1870s. It included a lake, theatre, ballroom,
the first time stagecoaches from Manchesterrace course, skating rink, football and cricket
would travel to Blackpool. By 1782, thegrounds, aviary and monkey house. It was
stagecoaches would be travelling from Halifax ascomplemented by the Blackpool Aquarium and
well.Menagerie, which opened in 1875.
During the latter part of the 1780s, four hotelsThe Winter Gardens opened in 1878 and featured
had been established in Blackpool toan indoor promenade and pavilion. One of the
accommodate the town's ever-growing numbernovelty rides at the Winter Gardens served as
of tourists. However, despite all this, thethe inspiration for the first permanent electric
development of a Blackpool economy and thetramway in the UK, the Blackpool Tram, which
growth of its population remained slow.became operational in 1885.
This all changed with the dawn of the 19thIn 1876, Blackpool was hailed as an official
century when an entrepreneur named HenryBorough. In 1877, while suffering from economic
Banks started buying huge parcels of land anddepression, the Blackpool Council launched a grand
constructing new building around Blackpool, a taskaffair and carnival in the piers to spur tourism and
that was later continued by his son-in-law, Johneconomic growth, highlighted by Blackpool's
Crocker. Banks, known as the Father ofpioneering street lights. The Blackpool Illuminations
Blackpool, erected the town's first holidaywere borne. More than 100,000 visitors from out
cottages while Crocker built its first assemblyof town were on hand to witness the show.
rooms. Many of these structures still stand today.In 1885, Blackpool became the first town to have
The year 1821 marked the consecration of thean electric tram system with the formation of
St. John's Church in Blackpool.the Blackpool Electric Town Company. The first
With these developments, the population oftram rides were free of charge and were used a
Blackpool grew quickly from less than 500 in 1801great deal for the transport of farm produce and
to over 2,500 by 1851.building materials for use in the fast-growing town.
Despite the growth of Blackpool, travelling thereBlackpool strengthened its entertainment industry
was still a difficult task, usually taking a day fromin the 1890s with the construction of the Opera
Manchester and two days from Yorkshire. ThisHouse in the Winter Gardens Complex and the
ended in the 1840s with the development of thecircus and ballroom at the Blackpool Tower. The
railway system that connected Blackpool to thedecade also saw the opening of the South Pier,
industrial towns of the north, which made travelingthe Grand Theatre and the famous 220-foot
to Blackpool easier and cheaper. The developmentGigantic Wheel, which was then the biggest in the
of the railway system propelled Blackpool into aworld.
period of prosperity.The 1900s marked the development of the
By 1852, gas lighting was introduced in Blackpool,Golden Mile and the Blackpool Pleasure Beach.