Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/348

 Heywood, bart., of Claremont, purchased an extensive plot of land, now occupied by the Prince of Wales's Market and Aquarium Buildings, on which he shortly afterwards raised a handsome marine family residence, called West Hey. Numerous and copious springs of fine fresh water were found at a depth of fifteen yards from the surface; until which fortunate discovery, water for drinking purposes had been collected in cisterns dug out of the marl. Public Baths were also erected on the beach adjoining the Lane Ends Hotel.

The following year, 1837, the Victoria Terrace and Promenade, erected at the north-west corner of Victoria Street, were completed. This block of buildings was formed of seven shops, above them being the Promenade, a room thirty-two yards long, which opened through folding windows upon a balcony six feet wide; attached to it were a news-room, library, and billiard table. The Promenade acquired its distinctive title from being first used on the 24th of May, 1837, when the Princess Victoria, the present Queen, attained her legal majority; on that day the principal inhabitants of Blackpool assembled there to celebrate the important event with a sumptuous dinner, and from the subjoined extract, taken from an account of the gathering in a public print, we learn the great estimation in which the saloon was then held:—

"* * * * dinner and excellent wine provided by Mr. C. Nickson, to which fifty-two gentlemen sat down, in the splendid Promenade Room newly erected by Doctor Cocker, who was highly extolled for his taste in the architectural design and decorations of the building, which is of the chaste Doric order, and for his spirited liberality in providing the visitors of this celebrated resort with so spacious and magnificent a saloon, where, as in a common centre, they may meet each other and enjoy the social pleasures of a conversatione whenever they please; thus evincing his wish to promote a more friendly intercourse amongst the strangers collected here from all quarters of the kingdom during the summer season—this has hitherto been a desideratum at Blackpool."

For long afterwards balls and all public meetings were held in this assembly room, which still exists in its original condition, although the other parts of the block, especially the shops, have recently been improved and beautified.

From 1837 to 1840 the progress of the place was steady, but not rapid, as compared with more recent times. In the latter year the opening of the Preston and Wyre Railway to Poulton, initiated a mode of travelling until then unknown in the Fylde