Category: 1894

Blackpool Tower & Ballroom

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Blackpool Tower, one of the most iconic landmarks in the United Kingdom, officially opened its doors to the public on 14 May 1894. At the time of its inauguration, it was celebrated as the tallest man-made structure within the British Empire. Standing at an impressive 518 feet (158 metres), it was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris and remains an enduring symbol of innovation and entertainment. Today, it ranks as the 125th-tallest freestanding tower in the world. Blackpool Tower is more than just the tower itself; it is the focal point of the Tower Buildings, an elaborate entertainment complex… Read more »

The Abana Shipwreck

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On 22 December, 1894, the Abana, a Norwegian barque, was wrecked along the Blackpool coastline during a fierce storm. Sailing to Florida, the ship’s crew mistook the newly-built Blackpool Tower for a lighthouse, leading them dangerously close to the shore. Battling high winds and rough seas, the vessel eventually ran aground near Little Bispham. Despite the peril, all 17 crew members and the ship’s dog were rescued by the Blackpool lifeboat team. The lifeboat itself faced challenges, briefly becoming grounded on a sandbank during the operation. After the rescue, the sailors were brought ashore and celebrated their survival with a… Read more »

Blackpool Victoria Hospital

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Originally established as Blackpool Hospital in 1894, the facility was located on Whitegate Lane (now Whitegate Drive). Its foundation was largely credited to Dr. George Chadwick Kingsbury, a general practitioner who also founded the Fylde Medical Society. Kingsbury played a key role as the first Chair of the Hospital Management Board and later served as Mayor of Blackpool in 1900. His contributions were pivotal in shaping the hospital, and it became Blackpool Victoria Hospital in 1898, following an expansion granted by permission of Queen Victoria. The hospital moved to a new location on East Park Drive in the 1930s, with… Read more »

Over 120 Years of Tower Circus

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Blackpool Tower Circus opened on 14 May 1894 at the base of the Blackpool Tower. The Tower Circus is one of the only static circuses in existence in the United Kingdom and only one of two Victorian circuses, which are still in use today. The Blackpool Tower Circus is one of the two major auditoriums in the Blackpool Tower Complex, the other being the Tower Ballroom. Both were designed originally by Maxwell and Turk in 1894, but were redesigned by the renowned Theatre Architect, Frank Matcham in 1899, and are in different but equally lavish styles. After the redesign by… Read more »

Grand Theatre

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BlueBlueThe Grand Theatre in Blackpool is a historic venue that has been a central part of the town’s cultural scene for more than a century. Designed by the famous Victorian architect Frank Matcham, it first opened its doors on July 23, 1894. The theatre showcases Matcham’s distinctive style, blending Baroque, Rococo, and Gothic influences. Its lavish interior, adorned with intricate plasterwork and gold detailing, makes it an impressive and visually captivating space. Over the years, the theatre has seen several restorations to maintain its historic appeal while updating its facilities. It was saved from demolition in the 1970s by passionate… Read more »