The name of Blackburn dates from the Dark Ages, and is named after a local stream known for centuries as Blakewater. It lies on the main south-north Roman road which linked Manchester with Ribchester. The township has a very long and distinguished history. Situated as it was in a key position on this road, during Saxon and Viking times, it became an important stopover town of North East Lancashire.
During Norman times it appears in the Domesday Survey of 1086 as the Blackburn Hundred with St. Mary's Church having stood there since 596 AD. In 1926 St Mary's became Blackburn Cathedral when the Diocese of Blackburn was created. The town also has the old Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School which was founded in 1509. It's first Members of Parliament were elected when the town received its Charter of Incorporation in 1851. At this time, Blackburn had undergone extensive industrialisation, like many other Lancashire townships and was a major centre for textile manufacture.
However, the 20th century saw the textile industry in serious terminal decline and other industries like engineering and electronics have gradually replaced them.
In 1974, Local Government reorganisation brought Darwen and surrounding villages into The Borough of Blackburn and in April 1998 the new Unitary Authority of Blackburn with Darwen achieved independence from Lancashire County Council.
i was born in blackburn at lambert st. we moved preston whilst i was still an infant. wonder if theres anyone out there would remember a gardner family?or a wren family??
My Dad 1921 was born in Blackburn and his father1888and Grandmother1859. 1.Walsh St. Still an Arkwright shop as it was when e were a lad sold every thin frae a pin to an eliphant.Now what anybody would do with the pin shudder to think let alone the elephant.
This is the home of the WALLACE TRICKETT /LRU Print Collection
The Collection relives The old LANCASHIRE bus fleets
,Railway Locos ,Commercial Company Vans(Inc HOLLANDS PIES )
and Wagons of Days gone bye.
Click on the tab on the main menu to view and purchase via PAYPAL
