By Tim Lambert
6th century The Saxons found a village at Walsall
1220 A weekly market begins in Walsall and it turns into a busy little town. Walsall also has annual fairs.
1339 Walsall is allowed 2 annual fairs. Walsall is a little town with a population of about 1,500.
1554 A grammar school opens in Walsall
1600 A metalworking industry in Walsall is flourishing
1650 The population of Walsall is about 2,000
1780 From this time onward Walsall is transformed by the Industrial Revolution
1779 A branch canal is built to Walsall
1801 The population of Walsall is 10,399 and it is growing rapidly. The iron industry in Walsall is booming.
1803 The first theatre in Walsall opens
1824 A body of men is formed with the power to pave, clean, and light the streets of Walsall
1826 Walsall gains gaslight
1847 The railway reaches Walsall
1849 Cholera strikes Walsall
1851 The population of Walsall is 20,852
1850s Sewers are dug in Walsall
1857 The first cemetery opens in Walsall
1863 A cottage hospital opens in Walsall
1872 Walsall is struck by smallpox
1874 The arboretum opens
1892 Electric trams run in Walsall. An art gallery and museum opens.
1895 Walsall gains electric light
1901 The population of Walsall is 86,000
1908 The first cinema in Walsall opens
1952 The War Memorial Gardens open
1969 Old Square Shopping Centre opens
1974 Walsall is made a metropolitan borough
1980 Saddlers Centre is first opened
1984 The Jerome K Jerome Museum opens
1988 Walsall leather Museum opens
2000 Crown Wharf Retail Park opens
2001 A new bus station opens
