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During the 19th Century Blackpool, which is a seaside resort in Lancashire became a very popular destination for holiday makers. Blackpool was named after a pool of water which ran through a peat bog which made it look black, this is also true of the Irish city of Dublin. Dublin derives its name from "Dubh Linn" which is Irish for black pool. When the railway connected Blackpool to Preston hotels and guesthouses were quickly built to cater for the thousands of visitors

By 1851 the population of Blackpool was over 2500, and the following year Gas lighting was introduced. Piped water arrived in Blackpool in 1864.

The first of Blackpool's three piers was completed in 1863. The pier was so popular that a second pier was completed in 1868 and is now more commonly known as Central Pier. Blackpool had to wait 25 years until the third pier was opened in 1893 which was again built to the south of the town as the town expanded in that direction. Blackpool was the only town in the United Kingdom to boast having three piers

Blackpool Opera House is a part of the Winter Gardens Complex, and opened in 1889 some ten years after the Winter Gardens which opened in 1878. When it opened the Blackpool Opera House was the largest opera house outside of London.

Blackpool was a world leader when it came to using electricity during the 1870's having the first electric street lights lining the promenade. This is where the Blackpool Illuminations started and has continued to be a yearly event ever since. The Blackpool Illuminations are lit from the end of the summer season through to the first weekend in November which brings extra visitors to the town. This help the thousands of Blackpool Hotels and Guesthouses to maximise their businesses as they welcome the increase in trade.

Blackpool Corporation is responsible for the Electric Tramway which runs along Blackpool promenade. The trams have been running since 1885 and currently start at Fleetwood to the North and running south to Star Gate. Blackpool Corporation took over in 1892 taking over from the Blackpool Electric Tramway Company. When the tramway opened in 1885 the trams ran from Cocker Street to Dean Street.

There are many photographs of Blackpool in the 1940's and 1950's where you will see crowds of people on the beach, as visitors relaxed and enjoyed a week long holiday in Blackpool. Times have changed, and Blackpool has had to be dynamic to accommodate that change. The majority of visitors are day trippers or those who come for a quick weekend break to enjoy the nightlife and attractions Blackpool has to offer. With estimated visitors at around 10 million per year, Blackpool is one of the most popular destination in the UK.

Blackpool Tower and the Grand Theatre opened to the public in 1894 when the population of Blackpool was around 35,000. With the visitors count reaching over three million Blackpool was indeed one of the most popular holiday resorts in the UK.