A History of Blackburn

The name of Blackburn first appears as “Blacheborne” a Royal Manor in the Domesday book completed in 1086.

There are a number of ideas about the name one of which suggests the old English word for bleach together with the word “burn” meaning stream.

Equally it may simply mean Black burn or Black stream.
Blackburn is situated in a valley this seams to suggest little pre history, however, their may have been a “sacred spring” which may have been used  by prehistoric man. This is situated at All Hallows Spring on Railway Road.

Blackburn is thought to have developed as a settlement on the Roman Road between Bremetannacum Veterannorum (Ribchester) and Mamucium (Manchester).

A stone was found inscribed by Claudius Hieronymus Legate of Legio VI Victrix.
This Stone was found at the All Hallows Spring in 1654.

The area was important during the Anglo Saxon period and it is during this time that the Blackburnshire Hundred came into existence for the Kingdom of Northumbria.

1101 A Market cross was erected.
The Manor was in the possession of Henry de Blackburn who divided it between his sons.
The Monks of Stanlow Abbey were granted half of the Manor.
Flemish Weavers settled in the area in the 14th century.
Blackburn became famous for “Blackburn Checks” these were blue and white and also “Blackburn Greys”. This was around the mid 17th century.
The above are made from woollen fabrics from local farmers sheep and woven by local people.

1737 Cathedral bells cast.
1767 James Hargreaves the inventor of the Spinning Jenny was a weaver in Blackburn.
1775 It was after this time that spinning mills began to appear in the town.
1797 The first purpose built spinning mill was constructed.

1824 their were 24 such mills in the town.
1826 Lancashire Weavers Riots took place. This was against the power looms that were changing the face of weaving and 212 power looms were destroyed in Blackburn.
1826 St Mary’s Church consecrsted.
1832 Blackburn sent 2 MP’s to Parliament for the first time .
1846 First railway into Blackburn.
1852 The Motto “Arte et Labore” granted. Meaning “by skill and hardwork”
1856 Town Hall completed.
1857 Corporation Park opened.
1870 There were 2.5 million spindles in Blackburn.
1870 Thwaites Brewery.
1887 Queen’s Park opened.
1888 Technical School founded. Completed in 1894.
1890 Blackburn Rovers football club sets up home at Ewood Park.
1894 The last hand loom shop in Blackburn closed. Hand looms were used for weaving.

1905 Statue of Victoria unveiled.
1908 48 mills stopped production.
During the first world war and in the inter war years the weaving and Spinning Industries began to fade away.
1923 Roe Lee Park opened
1926 Diocese of Blackburn created.

1950 Blackburn for the purposes of elections had a Blackburn East and a Blackburn West constituency.
After the Second World War there was a brief boom in the cotton Industry, however, things continued to decline thereafter.
1955 Blackburn only returned 1 candidate to Parliament.
1960 There were only 30 mills left open in the town.
1964 Parkside,Fountains, Malvern and Pioneer Mills closed.
1964 Blackburn Markets open on the Ainsworth Street site.
1976 2,100 looms working in the Blackburn area compared to over 79,000 in 1907.
1991 Blackburn Arena opened.
2000 Blackburn Station renovated
Population 105,000 approx.

With the best of intention all of the above information is true, correct and given in good faith, however, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the above.

Equally we recommend that should you need or want to find out more you should conduct more detailed independant research.