A TIMELINE OF WORTHING
By Tim Lambert
5th Century The Saxons invade Sussex. They found a small village at Worthing.
1798 Princess Amelia visits Worthing. As a result the village develops as a seaside resort.
1803 A body of men called Commissioners is formed to pave and clean the streets
1807 The first theatre in Worthing is built. Princess Charlotte visits Worthing. The town is growing rapidly.
1810 A market begins in Worthing
1829 A dispensary opens where the poor can obtain free medicines
1834 Worthing gains gas light
1835 A Town Hall is built in Worthing
1845 The railway reaches Worthing making it easier for visitors to reach the town.
1857 Worthing gains a piped water supply
1862 The first pier is built in Worthing
1881 A hospital opens in Worthing
1884 A crowd riots in Worthing against the Salvation Army
1890 Worthing is made a borough. Its population has risen to about 16,000.
1893 Typhoid kills 188 people in Worthing
1896 The first public library opens in Worthing
1901 Worthing gains an electricity supply
1908 A museum and art gallery opens in Worthing
1910 The Dome is built
1914 The Connaught Theatre is built
1921 A War Memorial is built in Worthing
1924 Denton Gardens opens
1926 The Pavilion Theatre is built
1930 Marine Gardens opens
1933 A new Town Hall is built
1939 Worthing is growing rapidly and its population has reached about 62,000
Second World War Air raids kill 44 people in Worthing
1959 Worthing Lido opens
1967 Highdown Gardens are given to the council
1974 The Guildbourne Centre opens
1975 A new library is built in Worthing
1989 Davidson Leisure Centre opens
2000 Millennium Garden opens