It was long before the resort’s golden years but all the hallmarks were there for the great British seaside Blackpool would become. The piers, tower, Big Wheel, Pleasure Beach, stretches of sand – even a train along the Golden Mile, except it transported sand, not people. They are a fascinating look at early Blackpool.
19. Blackpool 1900-1905
Families enjoy the beach at Blackpool with the North Pier visible in the background, 1903 Photo: London Stereoscopic Company
20. Blackpool 1900-1905
Blackpool Tower and seafront with the the fairground ferris wheel visible on the left Photo: London Stereoscopic Company
21. Blackpool 1900-1905
A main street, with tramlines, in the seaside resort of Blackpool (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: Hulton Archive
22. Blackpool 1900-1905
The entrance to Blackpool's Great Wheel in 1903. (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: London Stereoscopic Company
23. Blackpool 1900-1905
Sands Express, 1905. Between 1902 and 1905 the present promenade was built between North Pier and South Pier. It meant reclaiming 22 acres of land from the sea. Sand to fill in the foundations of the huge project was pumped from the beach at 165 tons an hour and a temporary steam railway along the seafront was installed to carry it Photo: staff
24. Blackpool 1900-1905
Read all about it! Newsboys in Blackpool announce the end of the Boer War from outside the main Promenade entrance to the Tower in 1902 Photo: Submit