Not a dull moment promised the sign at the old Victoria Street entrance to the Winter Gardens seen here before the erection of what was known as the Victoria Annexe in 1897. Admission was just six pence (2.5p) at the sprawling attraction whose opening by the Lord Mayor of London in July 1878 was the biggest spectacle Blackpool had ever experienced. Winter Gardens Victoria Street Enterance 1880splaceholder image
Not a dull moment promised the sign at the old Victoria Street entrance to the Winter Gardens seen here before the erection of what was known as the Victoria Annexe in 1897. Admission was just six pence (2.5p) at the sprawling attraction whose opening by the Lord Mayor of London in July 1878 was the biggest spectacle Blackpool had ever experienced. Winter Gardens Victoria Street Enterance 1880s

25 of the most historical Blackpool photos from the town's earliest days

Claire Lark
By Claire Lark

Digital Journalist

Published 3rd Dec 2024, 10:16 GMT

This evocative set of photos snapshot Blackpool in its very early days.

They are some of the earliest photos and images we have in our archive and show how primitive parts of the town were and how much it has evolved. There’s a great one of Central Drive which has nothing but sand either side of a track and one on the beach with donkeys and women wearing heavy long dresses and hats which were typical of the Victorian era. Wouldn’t be great to travel back in time - just for a day to experience what our town was like in those early years.

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Victoria Street in 1860 with Bank Hey House at the far end, an 1846 building, part of which survives inside the Winter Gardens today

25. Blackpool's earliest pictures

Victoria Street in 1860 with Bank Hey House at the far end, an 1846 building, part of which survives inside the Winter Gardens today Photo: Library

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