New Store

On the 19th February 1869 the Conservative Store, No. 62 Water Street opened.

Out Of The Rain !

Today in 1893 the Cabmen's Shelter, Station Road opened at a cost of £200.

Our Important Statesman

Today in 1896 a statue of John Bright was unveiled in Westminster Hall.

Education For All

On February 15th 1887 a town meeting was held where it was decided to build a Technical School to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.

Be My Valentine !

In 1871 20,000 Valentines passed through the Post Office.

So Different To Now !

Today in 1886 The Free Public Library began opening on Sundays.
On the first Sunday 976 people visited rhe rooms.

Stuff of nightmares !

An exhumation today in Castleton of the body of Mrs. Finley, who died in February 1886, mother of Mrs Berry the Oldham poisoner.

Observer report February 1887

Canal Escape

Today in 1894 the canal embankment at Castleton burst.

Every Home Should Have One !

An Observer article from the 10th January 1977 stated :

SLIPPER BATH CLOSURE, SIGN OF THE TIMES
Demand for such facilities has dropped considerably due to improved housing,
this facility will still be available but the times of opening will be greatly reduced.

Run away tram

On this day in 1922 a tram car ran away down John Street overturning and crashing into the Pioneers Store at the bottom.
Eighteen people were injured including Mr. F. H. Rudd who was the Borough Electrical Engineer.

Weather Warning

On February 8th 1900 there was a severe snowstorm described as the worst for 18 years.

Beyond The Call Of Duty

In February 1919 Miss E. J. Whitehead of Watkin Street was decorated by the King with the Red Cross for war services.

Short Lived

By February 6th 1827 the ' Rochdale Recorder ' had been going for one month.
It was a constitutional newspaper priced at 7d and published weekly.
Although starting well it only lasted a short time becoming defunct the following year.

Mill Building

The year 1900 saw an important activity in mill building.
At this period the Victoria had been running 15 months while the State and Sparth mills were in the course of construction.
The Eclipse started later in this year but all mills reported reduced profits during this time.

Skating on the Lake !

1912 saw freezing weather conditions just as now.
Hollingworth Lake was frozen enough to skate on and the Local Studies Library has photographic evidence of this.
Please call in if you are nearby and have a look.

Our Gracie !

Today marks the end of a Charity Week where Gracie Fields efforts raised £1,673 for local charities.
During the week she visited the Nurses' Home, Crippled Children's Home, the Infirmary, Birch Hill and the Rotary Club Dance.
She attended a hot pot supper at the Town Hall and her performance at the Hippodrome on Friday night was broadcast by the B.B.C.

The year was 1931.

Before the flu jab !

At this time in 1908 there was a widespread epidemic in Rochdale of influenza.

The Queen is dead. Long live the King.

Today in 1901 following the death of Queen Victoria, Rochdale proclamed that Edward heir to the throne was now King.

Literary Visitor

On January 29th 1905 Mr. George Bernard Shaw spoke at the Public Hall.

On yer bike !

Today in 1893 the Cycle industry was introduced to the town by Mr. Samuel Tweedale of Oldham Road.