A TIMELINE OF EASTBOURNE
By Tim Lambert
5th Century The Saxons invade Sussex
1232 Eastbourne is granted the right to hold markets and fairs. The village becomes a little town.
1600 Eastbourne is a very small town and has a population of less than 1,000
1780 The children of George III stay at Eastbourne. Afterwards Eastbourne grows into a small seaside resort.
1804 Wish Tower is built
1849 The railway reaches Eastbourne making it easier for visitors to reach the town. Soon its population booms.
1851 Eastbourne has a population of less than 3,500. Eastbourne gains gas light and a water company is formed.
1863 A dispensary opens where the poor can obtain free medicines
1871 Eastbourne has a population of over 10,000
1872 A pier opens in Eastbourne
1874 Devonshire Park Theatre opens
1883 Eastbourne Town Hall is built
1884 Devonshire Park Theatre opens
1901 Hampden Park opens. The population of Eastbourne is almost 43,000.
1904 Eastbourne Technical Institute is built
1905 The Italian Gardens open
1924 Towner Art Gallery opens
1930 The Workhouse Infirmary becomes St Marys Hospital
1937 A Lifeboat Museum opens
1951 The population of Eastbourne reaches 57,000
Second World War Bombs kills 174 people in Eastbourne
1963 Congress Theatre is built
1976 Redoubt Military Museum opens
1980 The Arndale Centre opens
1983 A Local History Museum opens in Eastbourne
2009 Towner Art Gallery opens. The population of Eastbourne is 94,000.