1781 Thomas Clifton and Sir Henry Houghton built

1781 Thomas Clifton and Sir Henry Houghton built the first private road to Blackpool. This allowed the working classes from the mill towns of Northern England to access Blackpool by stage coach. 1878 The Winter Gardens indoor complex was built – Blackpool's first indoor entertainment complex. The Opera House was bit a little later within this complex. 1856 - 1870 Although there were many visitors to Blackpool there was still little entertainment. The promenade was built for people to walk along. At the same time North pier and then Central pier were constructed and the Theatre Royal. These provided entertainment such as open air dancing. 1872 The Raikes Hall Pleasure |Gardens which included a lake, racecourse, football and cricket ground, skating rink, aviary, monkey house, ballroom, theatre and many other attractions were built. 1904 Blackpool Pleasure Beach opened and the Grand Theatre was built. 1975 The M 55 opened between the M 6 and Blackpool which made it easier to reach Blackpool by road. There is a car park at the end of the motorway which can hold 6, 000 cars. There also three railways. 1980 The Hounds Hill shopping centre opened. This was the first indoor shopping centre in Blackpool. 1885 The countries first electric tramway was built along the promenade to help with transport problems. 1819 Henry Banks built holiday cottages and the Lanes End Hotel. His Son in Law Dr John Cocker built the Victoria parade where holiday makers could meet and enjoy events. 1987 Visitor nights have decreased from 16 million to 10. 5 million. Hotel occupancy has reduced to 22% over the year. Annual day visits have declined from 7. 4 million to 3. 9 million. 2003 Rejuvenation project started. 26, 700 new jobs to be created. 2. 2 billion investment, 5, 700 new homes, 7 million more visitors a year. 2003 New art centre opened on the south shore. The Solaris Centre opens run by Lancaster and Blackpool University 1898 The towns railway stations were rebuilt to cope with the increasing number of visitors. 1720 The only visitors were the landed gentry who would ride on the beach and bath in the sea. 1891 - 1894 Blackpool Tower was built this had a circus and ballroom. 2009 New coastal sea defences completed coasting £ 80 million along 3. 2 km of Blackpool seafront 2008 The Bond Hotel on Bond Street is to have a £ 14 million upgrade with the existing hotel being demolished and a bigger one rebuilt. 2008 The approval of the Talbot Gateway project – a new business district which will include offices, shops, a food store, cafes and restaurants along with residential apartments and town centre parking 1780 There were 4 hotels. There were bowling greens and facilities for archery. The main attraction was the sea. Bathing was popular as people thought this was healthy. 1896 A Giant Wheel was built this was 202 feet high and had 30 carriages. 1986 The Sandcastle opened, this is a large indoor pleasure pool with fun slides, wave machines etc. 1990 Blackpool sealife centre opened to try and rejuvenate the town. 1912 Blackpool illuminations were first switched – they are still an attraction today. 1840 The first railway line to Blackpool was opened which allowed thousands of day trippers to visit.