19th century Wolverhampton

wightwick manor

the young princess alexandrina victoria of kent (later queen victoria) known have visited wolverhampton in 1830s , described large , dirty town 1 received great friendliness , pleasure . in victorian times, wolverhampton grew wealthy town due huge amount of industry occurred result of abundance of coal , iron deposits in area. remains of wealth can seen in local houses such wightwick manor , mount (both built mander family, prominent varnish , paint manufacturers), , tettenhall towers. 3 located in western fringe of wolverhampton, in areas known wightwick , tettenhall. many other houses of similar stature demolished in 1960s , 1970s.

statue of prince albert, queen square

wolverhampton gained first parliamentary representation part of reform act 1832, when 1 of 22 large towns allocated 2 members of parliament. local mob attacking electors voted or intended vote tory candidate led 1835 wolverhampton riot, dragoons called in end intimidation. wolverhampton incorporated municipal borough on 15 march 1848 under municipal corporations act 1835 before becoming county borough in 1889.

the railways reached wolverhampton in 1837, first station located @ wednesfield heath, heath town, on grand junction railway. station demolished in 1965, area exists nature reserve off powell street. wolverhampton railway works established in 1849 shrewsbury , birmingham railway , became northern division workshop of great western railway in 1854.

in 19th century city saw immigration wales , ireland, following irish potato famine.

in 1866, statue erected in memory of prince albert prince consort, unveiling of brought queen victoria wolverhampton. unveiling of statue first public appearance queen victoria had made since funeral of husband. 40-foot-tall (12 m) archway made of coal constructed visit. queen pleased statue knighted then-mayor, industrialist named john morris. market square, named high green, renamed queen square in honour of visit. statue replaced russian cannon captured sevastopol during crimean war in 1855, , remains standing in queen square. statue known locally, among younger residents, man on horse .

wolverhampton represented politically in victorian times liberal mp charles pelham villiers, noted free trade supporter, longest serving mp in parliamentary history. lord wolverhampton, henry hartley fowler mp wolverhampton @ turn of century. stafford street drill hall completed in 1890.