A TIMELINE OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
By Tim Lambert
1080 The Normans build a fort to safeguard the crossing of the River Tyne. Soon a town grows up in the shadow of the castle.
1216 A mayor of Newcastle is first mentioned
13th Century The most important export from Newcastle is wool but coal is also exported. Wine and spices are imported.
1294 A shipbuilding industry has begun in Newcastle. In the late 13th century walls are built around Newcastle.
1400 Newcastle is made a county in its own right. The population of Newcastle is about 4,000.
1500 About 15,000 tons of coal are exported from Newcastle. During the 16th century coal becomes the most important export.
1539 Henry VIII closes the friaries in Newcastle
1600 The population of Newcastle is about 10,000
1644 Roundheads capture Newcastle
1650 About 400,000 tons of coal are exported from Newcastle every year.
1658 A new Guildhall is built
1711 Newcastle gains its first newspaper
1736 Assembly Rooms are built
1750 The population of Newcastle is about 20,000
1751 An infirmary is built
1755 Newcastle gains its first bank
1763 The streets of Newcastle are lit by oil lamps
1773-1781 A new bridge is built over the River Tyne
1788 The first Theatre Royal is built
1801 The population of Newcastle is 28,000
1818 The streets of Newcastle are lit by gas
1825-1840 The centre of Newcastle is rebuilt
1832 Cholera kills 306 people in Newcastle
1838 Newcastle is connected to Carlisle by railway
1844 The Catholic Cathedral of St Mary is built
1848 Cholera kills 412 people in Newcastle
1851 The population of Newcastle is 87,000
1853 Cholera kills 1,533 people in Newcastle
1873 Leazes Park opens
1876 A swing bridge is built
1878 The first public library in Newcastle opens
1879 Horse drawn trams begin running in Newcastle
1880 Brandling Park opens
1882 The Church of St Nicholas is made a cathedral. Newcastle becomes a city. A drapers shop in Newcastle becomes the first shop in the world to be lit by electricity.
1900 Redneugh Road Bridge is built
1901 The population of Newcastle is 215,000. Electric trams begin running in the streets. Laing Art Gallery opens.
1906 King Edward VII railway bridge is built
1909 The first cinema opens in Newcastle
1925 Hatton Gallery is founded
1928 Tyne Bridge suspension bridge is built
1956 Shefton Museum opens
1963 Newcastle University is formed
1968 A new Civic Centre is built. A new Central Library opens
1969 Newcastle Polytechnic opens
1976 Eldon Square Shopping Centre opens
1983 Newcastle Military Museum is founded
1986 Stephenson Railway Museum opens
1988 Newcastle Arts Centre is built
1992 Monument Mall Shopping Centre is built
A new Central Library was built in 1968. Newcastle Arts Centre was built in 1988 and Monument Mall shopping centre was built in 1992.
2001 Millennium Bridge is opened
2002 Baltic Art Centre opens