By Tim Lambert
972 The Saxons build an abbey on the site of the abbey. A village grows up nearby.
c. 1000 A wall is built around the settlement and it becomes a small town St Peters Burgh
1070 During a rebellion against William the Conqueror Petersborough is burned
1116 Peterborough Abbey burns
1300 Longthorpe Tower is built
1308 A wooden bridge is built over the river
1407 The Church of St John the Baptist is built
1541 Peterborough Abbey is made a cathedral. Kings School is founded. The population of Peterborough is about 1,500. The main industry in the town is making wool.
1574 Plague strikes Peterborough
1587 Mary Queen of Scots is buried in Peterborough Cathedral
1607 Plague strikes Peterborough again
1625 Another outbreak of plague takes place
1643 During the Civil War soldiers desecrate Peterborough Cathedral
1671 The Old Guildhall is built
1750 Peterborough has a population of about 3,000
1774 The first theatre is built in Peterborough
1790 The Custom House is built. A body of men called Improvement Commissioners is given powers to pave, clean and light the streets of Peterborough.
1801 The population of Peterborough reaches 3,500
1821 An infirmary is built
1830 The streets of Peterborough are lit by gas
1845 The railway reaches Peterborough
1871 The population of Peterborough reaches 17,000
1856 St Peters Training College is built
1874 Peterborough is given a corporation
1892 The first public library opens in Peterborough
1901 The population of Peterborough is about 30,000
1903 Feoffee almshouse are built. Electric trams begin running.
1911 The first cinema opens in Peterborough
1928 War Memorial Hospital is built
1929 City Museum opens
1933 A new Town Hall is built in Peterborough
1934 A new bridge over the Nene is built
1938 A public swimming pool opens
1964 Hereward Cross Centre opens
1967 Peterborough has a population of about 80,000 but it is decided to make it a new town and double the population to about 160,000
1968 A Development Corporation is formed
1970 Building the new town at Peterborough begins
1973 The Key Theatre is built
1982 The Queensgate Centre opens
1989 The Rivergate Centre opens
