Manchester: From Market Town to Industrial City (1760–1900)

1. Bridgewater Canal reaches Castlefield Wharf

   Jan 1, 1765Labels: Bridgewater Canal, Castlefield Wharf

   • Bridgewater Canal

2. Piccadilly Mill begins steam-powered operation

   May 1, 1790Labels: Piccadilly Mill, Peter Drinkwater

   • Piccadilly Mill

3. Murrays’ Mills construction begins in Ancoats

   Jan 1, 1797Labels: Murrays' Mills, Ancoats

   • Murrays Mills

4. Rochdale Canal completed to Manchester

   Jan 1, 1804Labels: Rochdale Canal, Castlefield

   • Rochdale Canal

5. Peterloo Massacre at St Peter’s Fields

   Aug 16, 1819Labels: Peterloo Massacre, St Peter's

   • Britannica
   • Nat Archives

6. First issue of the Manchester Guardian published

   May 5, 1821Labels: Manchester Guardian, newspaper

   • Science Museum
   • The Guardian

7. Manchester Mechanics’ Institute established

   Apr 7, 1824Labels: Manchester Mechanics'

   • MMU History
   • Mechanics Inst

8. Liverpool and Manchester Railway opens

   Sep 15, 1830Labels: Liverpool and

   • L MR

9. Manchester’s first borough council elected

   Dec 14, 1838Labels: Manchester Borough

   • 1838 Election

10. Manchester granted city status

    Jan 1, 1853Labels: Manchester city

    • Manchester

11. Free Trade Hall built on Peterloo site

    Jan 1, 1856Labels: Free Trade, St Peter's

    • Free Trade Hall

12. Construction begins on Manchester Town Hall

    Oct 26, 1868Labels: Manchester Town, Albert Square

    • Town Hall
    • City Council

13. Manchester Town Hall inaugurated

    Sep 13, 1877Labels: Manchester Town, Albert Square

    • Town Hall
    • Structurae

14. Manchester Ship Canal opens to traffic

    Jan 1, 1894Labels: Manchester Ship

    • Britannica
    • Ship Canal