Subject: [LAN] Growth of Blackpool Part 6 Back again with a few more. 1875 Primitive Methodist Chapel in Chapel Street opened. Unitarian Church, Dixon Road, opened. 1876 Blackpool received its Charter of Incorporation and became a Municipal Borough. 1879 The new Pleasure Steamer "The Bickerstaff" commenced sailing on Pleasure Trips from the North Pier. 1880 The Aquarium was floated by Dr.Cocker (the owner) into a Company under the Title of Blackpool Central Property Company and in 1889 acquired by the Standard Debanture Corporation Limited, who formed the Blackpool Tower Company in 1891. A ship the "Bessie Jones" was wrecked, four men were rescued from the riggins, one youth swept away and lost. Free Public Library opened in the Octagon Room, Talbot Road, now part of Yates Wine Lidge. 1881 Hoo Hill Windmill in Layton (now demolished) struck by Lightening in a July thunderstorm. 1882 Wreck of the "Arethusa", ten saved. 1885 Blackpool became a Parliamentary Division. 1886 Wreck of the "Mexico" off Lytham. Twelve persons rescued by the Lytham Lifeboat. The Southport and St. Annes Lifeboat capsised with loss of life. 1887 The Blackpool Borough Police Force established. 1888 Rawcliffe Street Wesleyan Church opened. South Shore Church rebuilt. 1889 The Opera House, Church Street, opened June 10th with The Yeomen of the Guard. 1891 Blackpool Tower Company Registered. Alderman John Bickerstaff elected chairman. Foundation stone of Tower laid September 21st. 1892 Wreck of "The Sirens" against the North Pier, the crew managed to climb onto the Pier for safety. 1893 The Victoria Pier, South Shore, opened. 1894 Opening of the Tower, Whit Monday May 14th. Opening of Grand Theatre, December 22nd. Wreck of the Albuna off Norbeck. Lifeboat saved crew of seventeen. The New Victoria Hospital in Whitegate Drive. (now the Health Centre) received its first Casualty on August 25th. The new Hospital was maintained by voluntary subscription, one scheme being started by the Trades Council, by which members of the different Branches in the Town paid a voluntary contribution through their Branch of Two Pence per week, this scheme was soon taken up in different Firms in the town, by deducting the Two Pence from the employees wages, which in several cases was Sixpence as the person was paying through both their Branch and their employment. That's all for today, a bit more tomorrow Helen