By Tim Lambert
The 12th century A small town grows up by a castle at Newcastle Under Lyme
1251 Newcastle Under Lyme is given a charter
1277 Dominican friars (called blackfriars) arrive in Newcastle Under Lyme
1354 Newcastle Under Lyme sends MPs to parliament
1380 A nail-making industry exists in Newcastle Under Lyme. However, it is still a very small place with a population of about 800.
1590 Newcastle Under Lyme is given a new charter. It is given a corporation.
1680 A felt hat-making industry exists in Newcastle Under Lyme as well as the ironworking industry.
1770 Newcastle Under Lyme is a coaching town where stagecoaches stop
1799 The streets of Newcastle Under Lyme are lit by oil lamps
1801 Newcastle Under Lyme has a population of 4,600 making it a fair-sized town
1819 The streets of Newcastle Under Lyme are lit by gas
1832 Cholera strikes Newcastle Under Lyme
1849 Cholera strikes Newcastle Under Lyme
1850 There is some industry in Newcastle Under Lyme but it is not a major manufacturing centre
1852 The railway reaches Newcastle Under Lyme
1876 The first public library in Newcastle Under Lyme
1901 The population of Newcastle Under Lyme is 17,000
1915 The first council houses are built in Newcastle Under Lyme
1941 A museum opens in Newcastle Under Lyme
1963 A covered market opens
1968 The High Street closes to traffic
1984 The Roebuck Centre opens
2011 The population of Newcastle Under Lyme is 74,000