By Tim Lambert
Early 12th Century
The town of Petersfield is founded. The Earl of Gloucester starts a market by St Peter’s Church
1350
The main industry in Petersfield is wool. There is also a leather tanning industry. The little market town has a population of 600 or 700.
1600
The population of Petersfield rises to about 1,000
1666
Petersfield suffers an outbreak of plague. The wool trade is declining.
1687
Petersfield suffers an outbreak of smallpox. Stagecoaches are now running through Petersfield bringing prosperity to the town.
1722
Richard Churcher leaves money to found a school in Petersfield
1726
Daniel Defoe describes Petersfield as a town eminent for little but being full of good inns
1735
Some citizens get together to drain a bog so Petersfield Pond is created
1801
The little market town of Petersfield has a population of about 2,100
1812
A statue of William III is erected in The Square
1820
The Taro Fair begins in Petersfield
1836
A workhouse opens in Love Lane
1852
Petersfield gains gas street lighting
1858
A police station is built
1859
The railway reaches Petersfield
1871
A cottage hospital opens
1884
Sewers and drains are built in Petersfield
1893
Bedales School opens
1894
Petersfield Urban District Council is formed
1901
The population of Petersfield is nearly 4,000. The first Petersfield Festival of Music is held.
1911
The council buys Petersfield Pond and the Heath for public use
1936
A new Town Hall is built. Petersfield is growing very rapidly.
1945
High Meadow is donated to the town
1970
The population of Petersfield has risen to about 8,000
1976
Queen Elizabeth Country Park opens
1981
A new library opens. A new leisure centre opens.
1990
The Physic Garden opens
1992
Petersfield bypass opens
1993
Petersfield is given a new logo. The Community Hospital opens. Rams Walk opens.
1999
A museum opens in St Peters Road
2021
The population of Petersfield is 14,000
