By Tim Lambert
1086 Cheltenham is a little village with a population of less than 200
1226 King Henry III gives Cheltenham the right to hold weekly markets and annual fairs
1660 Cheltenham has a population of about 1,500. The little town has a malting industry and a leather industry.
Early 18th Century People in Cheltenham begin selling water from a spring south of the town. People believed the water would heal all kinds of illness.
1738-1742 The owner of the spring deepens it and turns it into a well
1740 Dr Short writes a book in which he praises the water from Cheltenham well
1786 A body of men is formed to pave, clean and light the streets of Cheltenham
1788 King George III visits Cheltenham
1801 Cheltenham has a population of just over 3,000. However, the population grows very rapidly in the early 19th century.
1806-1810 Royal Crescent is built
1818 The Promenade is laid out. Cheltenham gains gaslight.
1825 Pittville Gardens are laid out
1830 Pittville Pump room is built
1834 A sewers company is formed
1840 The railway reaches Cheltenham
1841 Cheltenham College opens
1851 The population of Cheltenham Spa is 35,000
1854 Cheltenham Ladies College opens
1877 Cheltenham gains a corporation and mayor
1889 The first public library opens in Cheltenham
1891 Everyman Theatre is built
1893 The statue of Neptune is erected
1895 Cheltenham gains electric light
1899 Cheltenham Art Gallery opens
1901 Cheltenham has a population of 49,000. Trams begin running in the streets.
1914 The first cinema opens in Cheltenham
1927 The council obtains Sandford Park
1930 The trams end
World War II In Cheltenham 31 people are killed by bombs
1971 Cheltenham Spa has a population of 74,000
1975 Holst Birthplace Museum opens
1985 Regent Arcade opens
1987 Wishing Fish Clock is erected
1991 Beechwood Shopping Centre opens
