COLCHESTER history

1819 Colchester is lit by gas

In the 18th century Colchester had night watchmen who patrolled the streets at night but the first modern police force in the town was formed in 1836.

The railway to London opened in 1843.

By 1851 Colchester's population had reached 19,000.

The Garrison church was built in 1856.

The Castle Museum began in 1860.

In 1876, the town appropriated $25,000 to lay track between Colchester and Amston.

Meanwhile, a volunteer fire brigade was formed in Colchester in 1878.

Jumbo Water Tower was built in 1883 and once provided clean water to Colchester Town Centre.

A special exhibit tells the story of the famous Colchester Earthquake of 1884.

Tiptree is the home of the Wilkin family - where from 1885 the first Tiptree jam was made.

Castle Park opened in 1892.

1894 The first public library in Colchester opens

1901 The population of Colchester is about 38,000.

1902 Colchester Town Hall is built

1904 Electric trams begin running in Colchester

1910 The first cinema opens

Although the majority of houses built in Colchester in the early 20th century were private the council did build some houses in the 1920s.

1929 Hollytrees Museum opens

1961 The University of Essex opens

Colchester, however, was chosen as the site of Essex University in 1962.

7) The following account deals with the area of the ancient borough, including its outlying parishes of Berechurch or West Donyland, Greenstead, Lexden, and Mile End, and takes no account of the large area brought into the borough in 1974.

1976 Lion Walk Precinct opens

Furthermore, Colchester General Hospital opened in 1985.

1990 St Johns Walk opens

Further south, closer to the Iron-Age Gosbecks site, are the remains of the only Roman Circus in Britain, discovered in 2004.