A Timeline of Waterlooville

By Tim Lambert 

1711

A turnpike road is built through the forest between Portsdown Hill and Horndean

1810

The forest is divided into plots and sold for building

1815

An inn called the Heroes of Waterloo stands by the road. The new settlement around the inn is called Waterloo (later it was called Waterlooville).

1831

St George’s Church is consecrated

1836

Admiral Charles Napier buys a house and renames it Merchistoun Hall

1847

Gales Ales is founded in Horndean

1851

Waterlooville has a population of 195

1854

A Baptist Chapel is built in Chapel Road

1860

A Boys School opens in Horndean

c. 1867

An inn called the Spotted Cow is built

1869

Purbrook Industrial School opens

1880

All Saints Church is built

1881

Hulbert Road is built

1885

St Michael’s Convent is built

1900

Harold Wadham begins making bicycles. Later his brother joins him.

1901

Waterlooville has a population of 609. The estate around Hart Plain House is sold for building.

1903

The Horndean Light Railway begins

1904

Waterlooville gains gas street light

1908

Wadham Brothers begin making coaches

1929

Butser Turf is founded

1932

Havant and Waterlooville Urban District Council is formed

1935

Horndean Light Railway closes

1936

The Curzon Cinema opens

1939

A fire station opens in Horndean

1951

Waterlooville has a population of 2,881. It begins to grow very rapidly. Cowplain and Horndean also grow rapidly.

1959

The Curzon Cinema closes

1962

A shopping arcade is built on the east side of London Road

1964

Plessey move to Waterlooville

1965-66

Wellington Arcade is built

1973

Waterlooville Library moves to a new building

1983

Waterlooville inner relief road is built

1985

London Road Shopping Centre is made a precinct

1991

A swimming pool opens

2000

Dukes Walk opens

2006

Horndean brewery closes

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