25 historical Blackpool photos and images from the town's earliest days 1840-1897
By Claire Lark
Published 30th Nov 2023, 13:35 BST
Updated 14th Feb 2024, 10:42 BST
This evocative set of photos snapshot Blackpool in its very early days.
They are some of the earliest photos and images we have in our archive and show how primitive parts of the town were and how much it has evolved. There’s a great one of Central Drive which has nothing but sand either side of a track and one on the beach with donkeys and women wearing heavy long dresses and hats which were typical of the Victorian era.
The old Smithy was near the junction of Squires Gate Lane and Common Edge Road . Abraham Cardwell was blacksmith here after he completed his apprenticeship in Ballam Village in the mid 1880s and was succeeded by his son. The white gatepost belonged to a cottage which was built out of materials from the first Moss Weslyan Chapel Photo: staff
Not a dull moment promised the sign at the old Victoria Street entrance to the Winter Gardens seen here before the erection of what was known as the Victoria Annexe in 1897. Admission was just six pence (2.5p) at the sprawling attraction whose opening by the Lord Mayor of London in July 1878 was the biggest spectacle Blackpool had ever experienced. Winter Gardens
Victoria Street Enterance
1880s Photo: Submit
An injured soldier and a nanny with a baby carriage are among those enjoying the Promenade close to it's junction with Station Road , South Shore in the 1880s Photo: library
Smoke across the sea as a pleasure steamer leaves the North Pier jetty in this Victorian photograph taken from Talbot Square This was pre 1885 as there are no tram lines
Historical Blackpool Photo: staff