A Timeline of Newcastle Under Lyme

By Tim Lambert

The 12th century A small town grows up by a castle at Newcastle Under Lyme

1251 Newcastle Under Lyme is given a charter

1277 Dominican friars (called blackfriars) arrive in Newcastle Under Lyme

1354 Newcastle Under Lyme sends MPs to parliament

1380 A nail-making industry exists in Newcastle Under Lyme. However, it is still a very small place with a population of about 800.

1590 Newcastle Under Lyme is given a new charter. It is given a corporation.

1680 A felt hat-making industry exists in Newcastle Under Lyme as well as the ironworking industry.

1770 Newcastle Under Lyme is a coaching town where stagecoaches stop

1799 The streets of Newcastle Under Lyme are lit by oil lamps

1801 Newcastle Under Lyme has a population of 4,600 making it a fair-sized town

1819 The streets of Newcastle Under Lyme are lit by gas

1832 Cholera strikes Newcastle Under Lyme

1849 Cholera strikes Newcastle Under Lyme

1850 There is some industry in Newcastle Under Lyme but it is not a major manufacturing centre

1852 The railway reaches Newcastle Under Lyme

1876 The first public library in Newcastle Under Lyme

1901 The population of Newcastle Under Lyme is 17,000

1915 The first council houses are built in Newcastle Under Lyme

1941 A museum opens in Newcastle Under Lyme

1963 A covered market opens

1968 The High Street closes to traffic

1984 The Roebuck Centre opens

2011 The population of Newcastle Under Lyme is 74,000