Notable Dates in Torquay’s Development
- 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.
- 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