By Tim Lambert
913 A burh or fortified settlement is founded at Stafford
1000 Stafford is a flourishing little town with its own mint
1070 William the Conqueror builds a castle at Stafford
1200 Stafford has a population of about 1,000
1206 King John gives Stafford a charter. Stafford is a busy little town with weekly markets and annual fairs.
1585 Ancient High House is built
1622 Stafford has a population of 1,550
1746 Chetwynd House is built. Stafford is still a small town. The main industry is making cloth.
1766 An infirmary is built
1792 The first theatre in Stafford is built
1798 Shire Hall is built
1801 Stafford has a population of nearly 4,000. During the 19th century the population soars.
1830 A body of men is formed to pave, clean, and light the streets of Stafford
1837 The railway reaches Stafford
1877 Borough Hall opens. Boot and shoemaking is the main industry in Stafford.
1881 Stafford has a population of almost 20,000
1895 Stafford gains an electricity supply
1901-02 The first council houses are built in Stafford
1908 Victoria Park opens
1934 Stafford Guildhall is built
1951 Stafford has a population of over 40,000
2016 Riverside Stafford opens