The first part of this chronicle is sourced from Ford’s History of Chesterfield, published in 1839 (pages 283-294).
The second part – from and including 1839 until 1938 – is contributed by Janet Murphy.
SUMMARY OF FACTS AND EVENTS
The following chronological table, though necessarily imperfect, contains a brief summary of the facts and events recorded in the preceding pages [in Ford’s history], together with various memoranda, extracted at the expense of much time and labour from the church register, newspapers, private manuscripts, and public documents. Many of the incidents, to which we are here about to assign a place, could not have been incorporated into the body of our history; but it is hoped, that they will not prove unacceptable to the reader, in their present form.
HADRIAN
138 – Chesterfield a Roman station.
CANUTE
1037 – Chesterfield church supposed to have been erected.
WILLIAM I
1086 Chesterfield a bailiwick, or hamlet, belonging to the manor of Newbold.
WILLIAM II
1087-1100 Chesterfield church, together with its chapels, given to the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln.
1100 Chesterfield church, together with its chapels, appropriated to the Dean of Lincoln, and his successors.
STEPHEN
1142 William Peverel, natural son of William the Conqueror, and Lord of the manor of Chesterfield, died.
HENRY II
1154 Henry II. seized upon the manor of Chesterfield.
RICHARD I
1189 Richard, Coeur de Lion, gave the manor of Chesterfield to John, Earl of Mortaigne.
1195 A rent-charge out of the manor of Chesterfield assigned to the brethren of the Hospital of St. Leonard.
JOHN
1204 King John gave the manor of Chesterfield to William Briwere, and granted a charter of incorporation, with two weekly markets, and a fair for eight days, at the festival of the Holy-Rood.
HENRY III
1227 William Briwere, Lord of the manor of Chesterfield, died.
1232 William, his only surviving son, died.
1233 (December 28) Henry III confirmed the charter granted by John.
1234 Dedication of the church of Chesterfield.
1266 Battle of Chesterfield, in the time of Simon de Montfort.
1266 The inhabitants of Brampton claimed a part of the burial-ground of Chesterfield church as their own, and were accustomed to repair the walls of that part at their own expense.
EDWARD I
1294 Edward I. granted a guild of merchants to the town of Chesterfield.
1330 The Quo Warranto Roll mentions the Holy-Rood fair, and another on the eve of Palm Sunday.
EDWARD III
1351 John, second son of Edmund of Woodstock, Lord of the manor of Chesterfield.
1353 John, Earl of Kent, held the Hospital of St. Leonard in capite.
1357 Chantry of St. Michael founded by Roger de Chesterfield.
RICHARD II
1386 Hospital of St. Leonard seized by Joan, Princess of Wales.
1386 Sir Thomas Holland held the manor of Chesterfield.
1392 Guild of aldermen, brethren and sisters of the Virgin Mary, and the Holy Cross, founded by Richard II, and endowed by Thomas Dur and others.
HENRY VI
1430 Thomas Beresford, of Fenny Bentley, mustered a troop of horse at Chesterfield, for the service of Henry VI.
1442 Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury, Lord of the manor of Chesterfield, in right of Alice, his wife, one of the co-heiresses of Earl Edmund.
EDWARD IV
1472 Scarborough castle, with lands in Yorkshire, given by Act of Parliament to Ann, Duchess of Gloucester, one of the co-heiresses of Richard, Earl of Salisbury, in exchange for the manor of Chesterfield.
HENRY VII
1500 Chantry of the Holy Cross founded prior to this time, by Hugh Draper.
1501 The Rev. James Brailsford vicar of Chesterfield.
1507 Hospital of St. Leonard granted by Henry VII., to John Blythe; but seized by Margaret, Countess of Salisbury, as an appendage to the manor of Chesterfield.
HENRY VIII
1509-1547 West end of Chesterfield church rebuilt during this period.
1547 Chesterfield parish contained about 2000 persons of sixteen years of age.
1547 The Hospital of St. Leonard claimed by Francis, Earl of Shrewsbury, as an appendage to the manor of Chesterfield
ELIZABETH I
1558 (November 17) Commencement of the earliest existing register at the church of Chesterfield.
1558 The Rev. Martin Lane vicar of Chesterfield.
1572 The Rev. John Wood inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1586 Commencement of the first great plague in Chesterfield.
1592 George, Earl of Shrewsbury, died, seised of Chesterfield, with the wapentake, or Hundred of Scarsdale.
1594 (April 24) Charters of incorporation granted to Chesterfield by preceding monarchs, confirmed by Elizabeth.
1594 Ralph Clarke nominated first mayor of Chesterfield, under the charter of Elizabeth.
1594 Free Grammar School endowed by Godfrey Foljambe, Esq; and chapel of St. Helen appropriated to its use.
1595 Lectureship at Chesterfield endowed by Godfrey Foljambe, Esq.;and patronage of it vested in the Archbishop of York.
1600 The Rev. Cuthbert Hutchinson inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1603 (January 3) John, son of Peter Boler, baptized at Tapton bridge.
CHARLES I
1628 Title of Earl of Chesterfield given to the Stanhope family.
At July 21 1618, in the church register, the following memorandum occurs. ” This day and year the Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the High Peak and Scarsdale was kept at Chesterfield, by virtue of his Majesty’s Commission and writ out of Kings Bench to the Sheriff for that purpose, and a Jury was then sworn and impannelled, but delivered no verdict for want of some presentments brought unto them. There was upon the bench then the Lord Darcy, Sir Francis Leeke, Bart., Sir William Kniveton, Knt. and Bart., Sir Peter Fletchervile, Sir John Rodes, and Sir Roger Manners, Knights, George Blount, Esq. before whom divers alehouse keepers entered into recognizances for brewing according to the statute, which was the chiefest state of their business.”
1631 (July 21) Charles I. confirmed the charters of preceding monarchs, and granted four fairs to Chesterfield: February 28, May 4, for two days, July 4, and September 14, for eight days.
1632 (November 11,) Star Chamber decree, in the cause of Leech, Knt.versus Foljambe, Bart., and Waddington, Vicar.
1632 Brampton and Wingerworth chapelries of Chesterfield.
1632 The inhabitants of Brampton and Whittington bound to make certain offerings to the church at Chesterfield, and to contribute their portion of sacramental bread.
1632 The inhabitants of Wingerworth subject only to a nominal dependence upon the church at Chesterfield, and their attendance there voluntary.
1634 Chesterfield ordered to provide 50l, as its portion of ship-money.
1637 (March 15 and 16) Assizes held at Chesterfield; and five men, and one woman executed, at Tapton bridge.
1638 The Rev. William Edwards inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1642 (October 17) Sir John Gell marched into Chesterfield with his regiment, and raised 240 men by beat of drum.
1643 (May and December) The Earl of Newcastle’s forces came to Chesterfield.
1643 General Sir Thomas Fairfax, marched from Derby to Chesterfield, with four or five hundred men.
COMMONWEALTH
1653 The Rev. John Billingsley inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
CHARLES II
1661 Meetings of the Society of Friends held in Chesterfield.
1662 (August 24) The Rev. John Billingsley ejected from the living of Chesterfield, by the passing of the Bartholomew Act.
1664 The Rev. John Coope inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1666-7 Brass money coined in Chesterfield.
1678 Taylor’s Alms’ Houses erected.
1683 The Rev. John Lobley inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
JAMES II
1688 ‘Glorious Revolution’
WILLIAM III
1694 Dissenting Chapel in Elder Yard erected.
1695 The Rev. William Blakeman inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1698 Sir Charles Skrymsher, of Chesterfield, knight, High Sheriff of the county of Derby.
ANNE
1703 The Rev. Henry Audsley inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1703 Large’s Alms Houses erected.
1704 Dr. Samuel Pegge, antiquary, born at Chesterfield.
1705 The Rev. John Peck inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1707 Thomas Seeker, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, a pupil at the Grammar School of Chesterfield, under Mr. Robert Browne.
“In the Review of the Life and Character of Archbishop Seeker, prefixed to his Sermons, it is said, that ‘he received his education at several private schools and academies in the country.’ One of those places was at Chesterfield, in Derbyshire, (where he had a sister married to Richard Milnes), under Mr. Robert Browne, a good grammarian and schoolmaster there. Mr. Browne used to tap his head sometimes and say ‘Tom, if thou wouldst but be one of us, (meaning a Conformist,) thou wouldst be a Bishop.’
1707 The Rev. William Higgs inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1710 Free Grammar School rebuilt.
GEORGE I
1715 The Rev. Thomas Hincksman inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1715 Salt works established in Chesterfield; rock salt brought from Northwich. These works soon abandoned as unprofitable.
1718 Chancel of the church enlarged, and newly seated.
1722 John Bright, of Chesterfield, Esq., High Sheriff of the county of Derby.
GEORGE II
1733 Two flagons presented to the church of Chesterfield; one by Mr. Thomas Dowker, of Gainsborough, merchant, and the other by his sister Mrs. Margaret Wilson, of London. Inscription on Mr. Dowker’s Flagon. To the Glory of God, and for the use of the Church of Chesterfield, the gift of Mr. Thomas Dowker, of Gainsborough, East-land Merchant, and Son of Mr. Thomas Dowker, Alderman of Chesterfield. Given A. D. 1733.Inscription on Mrs. Wilson’s Flagon. To the glory of God, and for the use of the Church of Chesterfield, the gift of Mrs. Margaret Wilson, of London, Widow, Sister of Mr. Thomas Dowker, who gave the other Flagon, Given A.D.1733.
1733 Bishop Halifax born at Chesterfield.
1739 The Rev. William Wheeler inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1750 January, April and November fairs established.
1751 Rose’s Alms’ Houses erected.
1756 (October 21) Organ opened at the church.
1760 Brass chandeliers in the church given by Godfrey Heathcote, Esq.
GEORGE III
1764 Mrs. Radcliffe, the celebrated novelist, whose maiden name was Ward, said to have been born at Chesterfield.
1765 The Rev. John Wood inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1769 North part of the cross aisle of Chesterfield church rebuilt.
1770 Quakers’ Meeting-house erected.
1770 Act obtained for making a canal from the town of Chesterfield to the River Trent.
1774 Bells of the church hung anew, and sixth bell recast.
1774 West part of the roof of the church taken down, newly timbered, and fresh leaded.
1776 (August 17) The Rev. John Wesley visited Chesterfield for the first time.
1777 A Roman pig of lead, bearing the inscription, “Imp. Gees. Hadrian! Aug. Met. Lut.,” found on Cromford Nether Moor.
1777 (June 4) Canal completed, and first vessel brought to the town of Chesterfield.
1778 Blue Meeting House erected.
1778-9 Not one day’s rain or snow from the day of St. Thomas, (December 21 1778,) to that of St. Mark (April 25) 1779.
1779 (March 25) Cherry, plum and pear trees in full blossom.
1781 The Rev. George Bossley inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1783 Another Roman pig of lead found near Matlock, bearing the inscription,” L. Aruconi Verecund. Metal. Lutud.”
1783 77 houses 3335 inhabitants
1787 A third Roman pig of lead found on Matlock Moor, bearing the inscription, “Ti. Cl. Tr. Lut. Br. Ex. Arg.”
1787 South side of the church-yard enlarged.
1787-8 Present Town Hall built, at the expense of the Duke of Portland, by Mr. Carr of York.
1788 (November 5,) Centenary of the Revolution commemorated on a very large scale at Chesterfield: tables erected which almost covered the market-place: a procession which extended nearly half way to Whittington: an old man, named Crich, who was born before the Revolution, carried through the streets on a chair.
1788 (December) Chesterfield contained 815 houses, and 3626 inhabitants.
1790 The body of the church and chancel whitewashed, the pillars in the body of the church painted for the first time, by assessment, (as is expressly stated in the register,) and the cross aisle and chancel newly painted for the first time by subscription of the inhabitants of the town. The new sun-dial painted in the same year. Mr. Joseph Bower and Mr. Anthony Johnson Churchwardens Rev. Mr. Bossley, Vicar. Jethro Turner, Parish-Clerk.”
1790 (December 23) Chesterfield visited by a terrible storm, which was felt also in London.
1790-1 The most severe winter that could ever be remembered by any person then living, for storms of wind, hail, rain, thunder and lightning.
1791 (June 12 Whitsunday,) A heavy fall of snow early in the morning.
1791 (November) Town Library established.
1792 Manor of Chesterfield transferred by the Duke of Portland to the Duke of Devonshire, in exchange for estates in Nottinghamshire
1792 Workhouse let by the corporation to the overseers of the poor on a lease of 99 years.
1792 (October 23) Michael Solomon, (called Mahone,) died.
1794 (July,) A troop of cavalry raised by subscription at Chesterfield.
1795 New altar-piece in the church completed.
1795 Grain of all kinds so scarce, in the summer that it could with difficulty be obtained at any price. In the beginning of August wheat sold at a guinea a strike, and oats at 2l. 4s. per quarter.
1795 Methodist Chapel erected.
1796-7 (November, December, January) Constant high winds, which did great injury to trees and buildings.
1797 Midsummer sessions removed from Bakewell to Chesterfield, and Michaelmas sessions from Chesterfield to Derby.
1797 Wheat sold at seventeen shillings the load: three strikes to the load.
1799 (March,) Ancient seal found at the Broad Oaks.
1799 From the month of July to August 11 so wet, that corn and grain of every kind were as backward as ever was known.
1800 Quakers’ Meeting-house enlarged.
1800 Dispensary established.
1800 Literary and Philosophical Society established.
1801 Chesterfield contained 895 houses, and 4267 inhabitants; viz. 1929 males, and 2338 females.
1803 (December) Chesterfield became a depot for French prisoners and continued so till the peace in 1814.
1808 (August 31,) The first [horse racing] race day at night, some thieves picked the lock of the door opposite the clerk’s house, went down the north aisle, picked that lock at the bottom, tried the chancel door opposite, which was bolted inside; they then picked the other chancel door lock, and the vestry, four double locks on the chest padlocks, wrenched two clasp locks open, (which they could not pick) with the sexton’s pick-axe, drank one bottle of wine, and took four with them; took the two silver cups, the large salver dish, and the small plate, and got clear off the same way; but left the two large flagons in the chest.
1811 Chesterfield contained 976 houses, and 4 591 inhabitants; viz. 2140 males, and 2451 females.
1814 National school erected. Opened May 1815
1814 Vaccine institution established.
1816 (April) Savings’ bank established.
1817 Church spire supposed to be in danger of falling.
1817 (August 3) Baptist church established.
1818 (January) Vestry meeting called for the purpose of considering whether the spire of the church should be taken down.
1819 Agricultural Society established.
1819 School of Industry erected. – Lancasterian School for Girls
1819 938 children in education
GEORGE IV
1820 New peal of ten bells put up in the tower of the church.
1821 Chesterfield contained 1048 houses, and 5077 inhabitants; viz 2345 males, and 2732 females.
1822 The Rev. Thomas Hill inducted to the living of Chesterfield.
1822 Methodist chapel enlarged.
1822 Independent chapel erected.
1823 Unitarian chapel enlarged, and organ erected.
1824 North-east side of the church-yard enlarged.
1825 (May 25) Act obtained for lighting Chesterfield with gas, and supplying it with water.
1825 Chesterfield Gas and Water Company formed
1825-6 Corporation baths erected (Derby Lane)
1826 Gas works erected.
1826 Benevolent Society instituted.
1826 A survey of the borough of Chesterfield made by Mr. Glossop, of Whittington, with a view to the formation of a new rate.
1828 Market Place enlarged, by taking down a range of buildings, which separated it from the New Square, formerly called the Swine’s-Green.
1828 (January,) Chesterfield Gazette established.
1828 Derbyshire Courier established
1828 (April 6) Chancel of the church first lighted with gas.
1829 Infant School erected.
1829 Suit instituted in chancery against the corporation, as trustees of the Free Grammar School.
1829 Chesterfield troop of yeomanry cavalry disbanded.
1829 Ringing of the church bells at the races discontinued, by order of the vicar.
1830 (June 25) Chesterfield visited by the most tremendous storm ever remembered.
1831 Midsummer sessions transferred from Chesterfield to Derby, and Easter sessions removed to Chesterfield.
WILLIAM IV
1830 (July) Decree of court obtained against the corporation, in the suit above mentioned.
1830 New race-stand erected.
1831 School rooms for Sunday scholars erected on the ground adjoining the Unitarian chapel.1831 Mr. Roberts’s news room established. There had been coffee rooms at the principal inns in the town, for more than half a century before this time; but no general news room.
1831 Chesterfield contained 1208 houses, and 5775 inhabitants; viz 2665 males, and 3110 females.
1831 (August) Mr. R. R. Hurwood and Mr. Josiah Brown, inhabitants of Chesterfield, lost in the wreck of the Rothsay Castle steam packet, off Puffin Island.
1832 Board of Health established, in consequence of the alarming ravages made by cholera in the neighbouring towns. Not a single case occurred at Chesterfield.
1832 Tapton and Spital bridges rebuilt, the old ones having been partially washed away by a flood.
1832 (October) Their royal highnesses, the Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria, passed through Chesterfield, on the way from Chatsworth to Hardwick.
1832 (December) First contested election for North Derbyshire. Candidates, Lord Cavendish; Thomas Gisborne, Esq.; and Sir George Sitwell.
1833 (December) E. Rushton, Esq., commenced his examination at the Town Hall, into the charters, management, &c., of the corporation, under the commission of inquiry issued by his Majesty, William IV., for that purpose.
1834 (January 1) Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Banking Company commenced business.
1834 (August 17) Galleries in Soresby Street Chapel opened.
1835 Actual value of the vicarage of Chesterfield £204: previously valued in the King’s books at £15. 0s. 2½d, and yearly tenths at £1. 10s. 0½d
1835 Horticultural Society established, which lived only for two years.
1835 (November 9) Municipal Reform Act passed, which effected an entire change in the corporate body of Chesterfield. Area 322 acres
1835 Gilbert Crompton, Esq., the first mayor under the above Act.
1836 (January) North Derbyshire Chronicle established.
1836 (February 9) First meeting of the new town-council held.
1836 Chesterfield Borough Police Force established
1836 (July 4) Act passed for making the North Midland Railway.
1836 (October 25) New church clock completed, and west dial lighted for the first time with gas.
1837 (March 16) Appointment of trustees for general and church charities confirmed by the Lord Chancellor.
1837 (May 17) First stone of Trinity Church laid.
VICTORIA
1837 (October 12) First guardians appointed under the Poor-law Amendment Act.
1837 Borough rate revised, according to Act of Parliament.
1838 (January 1) Commencement of new mode of pauper relief in the township of Chesterfield.
1838 (January 18) First marriage in the Unitarian chapel, being also the first marriage in a dissenting place of worship at Chesterfield under the new act.
1839 Fire brigade established
1839 John Robinson began manufacturing pill boxes at Wheatbridge
1840 Opening of the Midland Railway
1841 Census 6212 inhabitants. Houses 1331
1841 Chesterfield and Brampton Mechanics Institute formed
1842/3 Parish Church closed for nine months to allow renovation of the interior
1844 British School opened Hollis Lane
1845 Victoria National Schools opened on Vicar Lane
1847 Grammar School rebuilt
1847 Municipal Hall built
1847 Canal Company taken over by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincoln Railway
1848 Primitive Methodist Chapel opened (Beetwell Street)
1848 George Stephenson died
1851 Census 7101 inhabitants
1851 Religious Census shows that more people attended nonconformist services rather than those of the Established church
1854 Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald first published
1857 Market Hall opened by the Chesterfield Market Hall Company
1857 Spital Cemetery opened
1858 Municipal Hall erected (Beetwell Street)
1859 New Hospital begun (Holywell Street)
1861 Census 9,886 inhabitants
1862 Baron de Comin disturbances
1862 Sheepbridge Iron Works opened
1864 Charles Markham snr director Staveley Coal and Iron Company
1866 Local Government Act adopted
1868 New clock on the Market Hall donated by the Duke of Devonshire
1868 Ladies allowed municipal privileges for the first time
1869 Science classes introduced
1870 New railway to Sheffield opened
1870 Wesleyan Chapel rebuilt
1871 Census 11,925 inhabitants
1871 First meeting of the School Board
1872 Market Hall purchased by the Council
1874 Badge and mayoral chain donated to the Council
1875 Eyre’s furnishing business opened
1875 Local Board at Brampton
1875 Plowright’s established
1876 Chesterfield Savings Bank closed
1876 Extension to the borough not proved
1877 Art classes took place at Marsden Street
1877 East Derbyshire Club formed
1877 North Derbyshire Banking Company collapsed
1877 Foundation stone for the Stephenson Memorial Hall laid
1879 Stephenson Memorial Hall opened
1880 Sewage farm in operation
1880 Derbyshire Miners Association formed
1880 Public library opened in the Stephenson Memorial Hall
1881 Census 12,221 inhabitants
1881 Trial of electric street lighting
1881 Foundation stone of new Primitive Methodist chapel (Holywell Street)
1887 Money raised by the people of Chesterfield to buy land for Queen’s Park
1882 Establishment of horse trams service running to Brampton
1882 Hipper Leather works destroyed by fire
1886 New Post Office opened on the High Street
1888-1890 Telephone system established
1889 Charles Paxton Markham purchases Broad Oaks works
1891 Census 13,242 inhabitants 4,211 houses
1891 Technical Instruction Committee formed
1892 Boundaries of the Borough of Chesterfield extended to include New Brampton and parts of Hasland, Newbold and Walton. 1300 acres
1893 Queen’s Park opened
1894 First cricket match played in Queen’s Park
1893 National Coal Strike led to widespread distress in the town
1895 Gas and Water Board established
1897 Tramways taken over by Chesterfield Corporation
1897 Lancashire Derbyshire and East Coast Railway opened
1898 Cricket pavilion erected in Queen’s Park for first championship match
1900 New Cattle Market established by the River Hipper.
1900 Ryland works near the Parish Church destroyed by fire
1901 Census 27,185 inhabitants 5282 houses
1901 Electric street lighting was introduced in Chesterfield
1901 EDWARD VII
1902 East Derbyshire Field Club established
1903 Chesterfield Education Committee established
1904 1905 Council’s first meeting in the Council Chamber in Stephenson Memorial Hall
1904 The trams in Chesterfield were converted to electricity.
1906 James Haslam elected as M.P. for Chesterfield
1907 William Harvey elected as M. P. for Northeast Derbyshire after a by-election
GEORGE V
1910 Boundaries of Chesterfield extended take in parts of Brampton, Walton, Calow and Hasland. Area 2643 acres
1910 River Hipper straightened south of Low Pavement
1910 Serious fire at Broad Oaks works
1911 Census 37,429 inhabitants 7609 houses
1911 Merryweather motor fire engine purchased – the first in Derbyshire
1911 Meshe David Osinsky opened his shop on Holywell Street founding Montagu Burton
1911 National Railway strike. Riot at Chesterfield station
1911 Fire at the Palace Theatre results in the death of five girls
1911 New Girls High School building opened. Control passes to Derbyshire County Council
1912 Dog Kennels demolished to make way for Markham Road.
1913 Eastwood Park opened in Hasland
1913 Clayton Tannery destroyed by fire
1914 Chesterfield Housing Association formed
1914 Improvement Act passed leading to major street improvements
1914 Municipal bus services to Hasland and Clay Cross begin
1914 Tontine Road opened
1914 Joe Davis wins amateur billiards championship of Chesterfield and District
1916 Markham Ward opened at the hospital in memory of Sir Arthur Markham
1916 Eyres’ Hardware Department on Stephenson Place destroyed by fire
1917 Angel Hotel destroyed by fire
1917 Ten day commercial & industrial exhibition to raise funds for the hospital
1919 Housing Act. Plans for first council houses in Chesterfield
1919 Became Royal Hospital
1919 Rugby Club founded
1920 Boundaries extended to take in Newbold, Tapton and Whittington and parts of Brampton, Walton and Brimington. 8484 acres
1920 First two council houses completed on St Augustine’s Road. July 1920
1921 Census 61,232 inhabitants 12,271 houses
1922 Wilfred Edmunds Ltd publishers of the Derbyshire Times purchased the Derbyshire Courier
1922 Severe flooding Chatsworth Road
1923 Skating rink destroyed by fire
1924 Last race run on Chesterfield Racecourse
1924 Building of Chesterfield Technical College commenced
1925 Tapton Estate given by Charles Markham to the town
1925 Violet Markham – First woman to be elected to the Borough Council
1926 Death of Charles Markham
1927 First trolley bus service between Market Place station and Brampton terminus. Last tram to Whittington
1927 Joe Davis wins professional snooker championship
1927 New Beetwell Street opened
1928 Violet Markham School opened
1928 Joe Davis wins professional billiards championship
1928 New wing opened at Chesterfield Grammar School
1929 Chesterfield College of Art opened
1930 William Rhodes Infants and Junior, Highfield Hall, Peter Webster schools officially opened
1931 Census 64,146 inhabitants, 14,904 houses
1931 Tapton House School opened
1931 William Rhodes Senior School opened
1931 Rose Hill estate purchased for municipal buildings
1932 Elder Way opened
1932 Skating rink destroyed by fire
1932 Horns Bridge Midland Railway line reconstructed
1933 First traffic lights installed at Walton Road, Markham Road, Park Road/West Bars and Holywell Cross
1934 New police station opened
1934 Tapton golf course opened
1934 Chesterfield Brewery taken over by Mansfield Brewery
GEORGE VI
1936 Children’s library opened in Stephenson Memorial Hall
1936 Regal cinema opened
1936 Death of Sir Ernest Shentall, Mayor of Chesterfield six times
1936 Chesterfield FC’s new stand opened
1937 Chesterfield Municipal and Industrial exhibition
1938 New Town Hall opened
1938 Explosion at Markham colliery resulting in the death of 79 men
1938 Last trolley bus
1939 Centenary celebrations of Robinson and Sons. Eight special trains convey 4,000 employees and staff to London
Page last revised 22 March 2022.