By Tim Lambert
Dedicated to Clare Seek
Early High Wycombe
The town of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire began as an Anglo-Saxon settlement. At the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 it probably had a population of between 280 and 300. By the standards of the time it was quite a large settlement. By the 13th century High Wycombe had weekly markets and it was a busy little town. High Wycombe had 6 water mills. The mills were essential to the local economy for centuries.
The Hospital of St John the Baptist was built in 1180 but it closed in 1548. Royal Grammar School began in 1551. It was given a royal charter in 1562. Little Market House was built around 1604.
A lace making industry began in the town in the 16th century. A paper making industry began in High Wycombe in the late 16th century and it flourished during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Modern High Wycombe
At the time of the first census in 1801 High Wycombe had a population a little over 4,000. By the standards of the time it was a fair sized town. By 1901 it had risen to over 15,000.
In the 19th century the old industries of paper making and lace making thrived. High Wycombe became known for chair making.
Amenities in the town improved during the 19th century. High Wycombe gained gas light in 1833. The railway reached High Wycombe in 1854. Wycombe Abbey School opened in 1896.
The town continued to develop in the 20th century. The first police station in High Wycombe was built in 1876. A new one was built in 1937. The Town Hall was built in 1904. A public library was built in 1932. The same year Wycombe Museum was founded.
Wycombe Rye Lido opened in 1957 and Wycombe General Hospital opened in 1966. Wycombe Swan Theatre opened in 1992 and High Wycombe Community Arts Centre was founded in 2000. The Eden Shopping Centre opened in 2008.
However the old industry of paper making went into decline in the 20th century and eventually ended. However chair making continues. So does lace making.
Today the population of High Wycombe is 89,000.
