The Parish of Blackpool in the County of -- Lancashire --

Growth of the County Borough of Blackpool
from 1900 to 1938

1900
This year was the completion and opening of the new Town Hall, the new Bethesda Chapel, Unitarian Church, South Shore and Ebenezer Primitive Methodist, Egerton Road.

1901
The First Musical Festival was held.
The Marton Tramway was opened this year.

1903
Opening of the New Railway line from Waterloo Station, (now South Station) across the Moss to Kirkham.

1904
Blackpool raised to the Status of County Borough.
All Saints Church, Palatine Road, opened.

1905
The widening of the Promenade to the South Shore was completed, this was started in 1902.
St. Thomas`s Church, Caunce Street opened.

1906
Blackpool Secondary School opened.
Mr M. W. Astley elected Conservative Member of Parliament.
Blackpool's first full programme Cinema opened in the old Coliseum, Lytham Road, on the site of the Coliseum Bus Station. There has previously been shorts shown at the Palace and Hippodrome.

1907
The first Waterloo Bowling Tournament was held this year.

1908
Blackpool's First Aviation Week held during the summer at Squires Gate Racecourse (now the Airport) and the first flight round the Tower from the seaside.

1910
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Company Registered.
This was not the start of the Pleasure Beach as several people had been operating a Pleasure Beach on the site for over Twenty Years previous to the Company being formed.
The Gipsy encampment of the Sandhills, south of the old Star Inn was erected this year.
The Second Aviation Week was held in July, the Frenchman Monsieur Tetard flew round the town.

1911
This year saw the Carnegie Free Library at the Grundy Art Gallery in Queen Street opened for use.
St. Stephen's Church on the Cliff opened.

1912
The New Princess Parade was opened by Princess Louise.

1913
The Blackpool Cremation Society established in April.
King George and Queen Mary visited Blackpool.

1914
The Great War commenced (August 4th). Blackpool was used as a training Ground for troops and also the headquarters of the Royal Army Medical Corp. (R.A.M.C.) Hospital beds erected in the old race-course grandstand at Squires Gate, under Doctor Winder of South Shore.

1916
Hebrew Synagogue in Leamington Road opened.

1918
Sir Albert Lindesy Parkinson elected Conservative M.P. for the Blackpool Division.

1919
The first Election held under the New Municipal Redistribution scheme for the rearrangement of wards.

1920
Blackpool Town Planning Act came in force.
St. Mary's Church, Highfield Road, South Shore opened.

1921
Blackpool Ramblers Club formed (March 2nd) Allan Clark, Lancashire writer and author of Windmill Land was one of the leaders.
Regent Picture Palace, Church Street opened.

1922
Mr. David Lloyd-George, the Wartime Premier, presented with the freedom of the Borough.
Major Morley (Conservative) elected M.P.

1923
The First Blackpool carnival (June 9th-16th) held.
South Shore Open Air Baths opened.
Lt. Col Maylor (Liberal) elected M.P.

1924
The Second Carnival held (June 11th-24th).
Sir Walter de Freece (Conservative) elected M.P. (Oct 29th)

1925
Stanley Park off Whitegate Drive, including golf course, tennis courts and bowling greens opened.
Independent Methodist Church, Central Drive opened.
The First Illuminations were held in the autumn of the year.
(Nov & Dec) skating at Marton Mere. This winter had the severest frost for years.

1926
St. Marks Church Layton and New Baptist Church were in course of erection.
This was Blackpool's corporation "Jubilee Year", also the year of the general strike.

1928
Big Wheel demolished

1929
Madam Tussauds Waxworks opened

1931
Stanley Park Municipal Aerodrome opened by P.M. J Ramsey MacDonald

1932
Greatest fire in Blackpool R H O Hills

1932
Graf Zeppelin over Blackpool

1932
First Drama Festival held at Opera House

1934
Pleasure Beach fire

1935
Wurlitzer Organ installed at Winter Gardens

1938
Talbot Road Bus Station and Car Park opened

1938
Technical College opened