Notable Dates

1810 St. John's Lodge founded - The Terrace was built.
1811 The first Bank opened ( Kitson’s)
1815 Napoleon arrived as a prisoner in the Bay
1820 Rotunda built - First school opened
1821 1st. Turnpike Trust. - St.Marychurch Road Turnpiked
1822 Braddons Hill developed
1823 St. John’s Church built
1824 Newton Road, St Marychurch & Babbacombe Road via Wellswood constructed
1826 Higher & Lower Union Street laid out.
1827 Teignmouth Rd to Shaldon completed - Fleet Street commenced.
1828 1st Public Coaches, to Dartmouth & Exeter. Park Hill Road built.
1829 Abbey Road developed from the Ropewalk.
1831 Vaughan Parade built
1832 1st. Workhouse built. Cholera outbreak ( entry in the Churchwardens Book that year-“extra sexton” ).
1834 Watchmen, Night Constables, and Street Cleaners first used.
1835 Gas lighting installed. (The flames were up to 60cm high)
1836 First reservoir for use by water carts
1840 Torbay Road begun.
1841 Police force increased to five.
1847 Bread riots in Torquay, Militia stationed in town.
1848 The Railway arrives - Torre Station built
1849 Cholera strikes for the second time, 66 inhabitants died.

Lodge minute Nov.22nd 1849 “ this delay of meeting was in consequence of the Severe affliction that occurred in the Town”.

1850 Six Toll-gates operating in town, the toll on horses ‘not drawing’ is removed.
1851 Torquay Hospital built ( Higher Union Street).
1852 Market built - Town Hall built.( bottom of Union Street).
1856 Public Water supply commenced - Belgrave Road begun.
1857 Foundation Stone laid. St. John's Masonic Hall
1858 Torquay Station built.
1859 Attempt on Nov. 5th to burn the Police Station, and Town Hall down.
1863 Court held in Torquay for the first time.
1864 First proper Post Office built at the Rotunda.
1867 Sewerage piped into the sea.
1874 Toll gates finally abolished in Torquay
1875 Comprehensive Sewerage System introduced
1883 ‘Babbacombe Lee’ cheats the gallows at Exeter.
1894 The Pier is built.
1895 An Electricity Supply is introduced

Events