By Tim Lambert
932 A hamlet named East leah is mentioned
1838 A railway is built through the area and a small station opens by the hamlet of Barton. Later the railway company builds houses for its employees by the station.
1852 A cheese market opens by the station
1864 The first speculative houses are built at Eastleigh
1868 The two villages of Eastley and Barton are combined into one parish. The new parish is called Eastleigh.
1870 The first school opens in Eastleigh
1871 Eastleigh has a population of 515
1884 The railway company decides to build a wagon and carriage works at Eastleigh
1893 A local board is formed to pave and light the streets of Eastleigh
1895 An urban district council is formed in Eastleigh
1896 The council lays out Recreation Field as a park
1901 Eastleigh has a population of over 9,000
1909 A locomotive works is built at Eastleigh
1911 The first cinema opens in Eastleigh
1921 Pirelli opens a cable factory in Eastleigh
1928 The Town Hall is built
1929 Southampton Municipal Airport opens
1936 Eastleigh is made a borough
1962 Dr Beeching announces a plan to close the wagon and carriage works in Eastleigh
1975 Fleming Park Leisure Centre opens
1989 Swan Shopping Centre opens
1990 A new library is built
1996 Point Theatre opens