During the 19th Century Blackpool, which is a seaside resort in Lancashire became a very popular destination for holiday makers. Blackpool was named after a pool of water which ran through a peat bog which made it look black, this is also true of the Irish city of Dublin. Dublin derives its name from “Dubh Linn” which is Irish for black pool. When the railway connected Blackpool to Preston hotels and guesthouses were quickly built to cater for the thousands of visitors
Gas lighting was introduced in 1852 and piped water was available to homes, hotels, and guesthouses in 1864.
Blackpool has three piers, the first to be completed was North Pier in 1863 and became a centre of attraction for elite visitors. When Central Pier was completed 5 years later it boasted an open air dance floor and a theatre. South Pier was not completed until 1893 as the town expanded south along what is now known as the Golden Mile. Blackpool was the only town in United Kingdom to have three piers.
Blackpool Opera House is a part of the Winter Gardens Complex, and opened in 1889 some ten years after the Winter Gardens which opened in 1878. When it opened the Blackpool Opera House was the largest opera house outside of London.
Blackpool was a world leader when it came to using electricity during the 1870′s having the first electric street lights lining the promenade. This is where the Blackpool Illuminations started and has continued to be a yearly event ever since. The Blackpool Illuminations are lit from the end of the summer season through to the first weekend in November which brings extra visitors to the town. This help the thousands of Blackpool Hotels and Guesthouses to maximise their businesses as they welcome the increase in trade.
When the Electric Tramway opened in Blackpool in 1885 it was the first practical electric tramway in the world. In 1899 the conduit system was replaced by overhead wires. There are only 3 surviving tramways to use double-decker trams, Blackpool, Hong Kong and Alexandria in Egypt. Some of the 1930′s trams are still in full time service along Blackpool promenade, although most of their bodywork has been replaced.
Blackpool relies on Tourism and still attracts 10 million visitors a year. The town has been declining since its heyday in the 1950′s when factories used to close for a week at a time and employees came to Blackpool for a weeks holiday. Cheaper travel abroad which started in the 1960 meant that families started to go abroad for holidays. When the M55 opened in 1975, Blackpool was accessible for day trips and weekend breaks which now accounts for the majority of its business.
In 1894 the three million visitors to Blackpool could enjoy 2 new attractions, the Grand Theatre and the world famous Blackpool Tower. The population of Blackpool has swelled to over thirty five thousand which was needed to cater for the millions of visitors.
Tags: Blackpool, destinations, tower, travel
