List of Blackburn historical plaques

Blackburn has several plaques placed in locations of historic significance.

A blue plaque scheme, consisting of twenty-four plaques in the style of the English Heritage Plaques, was managed by Blackburn Civic Society until it folded.[1] Later, Blackburn Local History Society agreed to take on responsibility of managing the local scheme and worked with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to add additional plaques as part of a local heritage festival in 2014.[2] A number of the blue plaques have since gone missing, though some have been replaced by granite plaques to make them less appealing to metal thieves.[3]

The British Film Institute placed two plaques in Blackburn as part of the Centenary of Cinema celebration in 1996.[4]

In addition to these, other plaques have been placed that do not belong to any organised scheme.

Locations of plaques

Subject Image Location Plaque text
Plug Plot Riots
BBC Radio Lancashire, Darwen Street, Blackburn 53°44′49″N 2°28′58″W / 53.74698°N 2.48280°W / 53.74698; -2.48280 Here in Darwen St on 15th August 1842, textile workers protesting against wage cuts in the famous "Plug Plot" were fired upon by troops of the 72nd Regiment. Up to three of the demonstrators are thought to have been killed.
Jack Walker
Randal Street, Blackburn 53°45′08″N 2°28′58″W / 53.75235°N 2.48281°W / 53.75235; -2.48281
Note - The original blue plaque was placed in May 2001, but stolen in February 2014.[5][6] It was later replaced with a black granite plaque.[7] 		Jack Walker 1929 - 2000. Entrepreneur, philanthropist, benefactor, and patron of Blackburn Rovers was born here.
Blackburn Corporation Tramways
Jubilee Street, Blackburn 53°44′47″N 2°14′53″W / 53.74633°N 2.248054°W / 53.74633; -2.248054 Blackburn Corporation Tramways. Electrification commenced here March, 1899. Electricity generated here, the site of the town's first power station. A.S. Giles, Engineer.
John Noel Nichols
Bank House, 8 Adelaide Terrace, Dukes Brow, Blackburn 53°45′07″N 2°29′46″W / 53.75184°N 2.49599°W / 53.75184; -2.49599


Note - A blue plaque was placed after Nicols death in 1966 but this was stolen and later replaced with a black granite plaque.[8]

Birthplace of John Noel Nichols, 1883 - 1966. Educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar and the inventor of Vimto.
Rev. Dr. Chad Varah, CH, CBE, MA
105 New Park Street, Blackburn 53°45′06″N 2°29′22″W / 53.75165°N 2.48954°W / 53.75165; -2.48954 Rev. Dr. Chad Varah, CH, CBE, MA, was vicar of Holy Trinity Blackburn from 1942 to 1949. He founded the Samaritans in 1953.
Alfred Wainwright
331 Audley Range, Blackburn 53°44′47″N 2°27′26″W / 53.74643°N 2.45733°W / 53.74643; -2.45733 The birthplace of Alfred Wainright, author and fell walker (1907 - 1991).
Professor John Garstang
Strawberry Bank, Blackburn 53°45′05″N 2°29′16″W / 53.75149°N 2.48764°W / 53.75149; -2.48764 Professor John Garstang (1876 - 1956) Egyptologist. Was born here 5th May, 1876.
Blackburn Rovers
Ewood Park, Nuttall Street, Blackburn 53°43′43″N 2°29′25″W / 53.72849°N 2.49014°W / 53.72849; -2.49014 Blackburn Rovers. A founder member of the football league, 1888
Sir Robert Peel, Bart
Barton Street, Blackburn 53°44′53″N 2°29′09″W / 53.74800°N 2.48578°W / 53.74800; -2.48578 A farmhouse here was the early home of Sir Robert Peel, Bart., (1750 - 1830). Father of Robert Peel, Prime Minister.
Mitchell and Kenyon
Lord Street, Blackburn 53°44′58″N 2°29′09″W / 53.74954°N 2.48572°W / 53.74954; -2.48572 Mitchell and Kenyon. Blackburn's pioneer cinematographers and producers of Norden Films were based here 1897 - 1901.
Dorothy Whipple
Edgeware Road, Blackburn 53°45′22″N 2°30′03″W / 53.75600°N 2.50095°W / 53.75600; -2.50095 The novelist Dorothy Whipple nee Strirrup (1893 - 1966) was born in this house on 26th February 1893.
Blackburn and Over Darwen Tramway
Postal Order, 15 - 19 Darwen Street, Blackburn 53°44′48″N 2°28′57″W / 53.74668°N 2.48251°W / 53.74668; -2.48251 Blackburn and Over Darwen Tramway. This road junction was the northern terminus of the first street tramway in the kingdom to be worked entirely by steam, officially opened 14th April, 1881.
William Wolstenholme
Mill Lane, Blackburn 53°44′45″N 2°29′02″W / 53.74582°N 2.48380°W / 53.74582; -2.48380 Here, on 24 February 1865, was born William Wolstenholme MUS.BAC (OXON) F.R.C.O. -HON.CAUSA-, the gifted blind organist and composer.
A. N. Hornby
41 King Street, Blackburn 53°44′47″N 2°29′14″W / 53.74635°N 2.48712°W / 53.74635; -2.48712 A. N. 'Monkey' Hornby (1847 - 1925) Captain of England at cricket and rugby and footballer for Blackburn Rovers, was born here 10th February 1847.
Nicolò Paganini
Paganini Inn, Lord Street, Blackburn 53°44′57″N 2°29′08″W / 53.74918°N 2.48559°W / 53.74918; -2.48559 Nicolò Paganini celebrated violinist stayed at an inn here when he gave a recital in Blackburn 5th September 1833.
River Blakewater
Darwen Street, Blackburn 53°44′41″N 2°14′54″W / 53.74467°N 2.248239°W / 53.74467; -2.248239

Note - Plaque has been removed

This crossing of the River Blakewater marks the site of the original ford. By the south side of the bridge stood the 18th century lock-up.
John Morley
Clayton Street, Blackburn 53°44′46″N 2°29′11″W / 53.74617°N 2.48631°W / 53.74617; -2.48631 John Morley, Viscount Morley of Blackburn (1838 - 1923). Author, Cabinet Minister and Secretary of State for India, was born in a house on this site on Christmas Eve 1838.
Harry Hornby
King Street, Blackburn 53°44′50″N 2°29′05″W / 53.74734°N 2.48479°W / 53.74734; -2.48479 The Leyland House, built 1741. Grade II listed. The birthplace of Sir Harry Hornby M.P. 29th August, 1841.
Blackburn Hundred
Billinge Wood, Blackburn 53°45′00″N 2°31′05″W / 53.74991°N 2.51815°W / 53.74991; -2.51815 On 15th May, 1429, the Three Weekly Court of the Blackburn Hundred was held on this hill. Here John Nowell paid homage for land that he held in Great Harwood from Thomas Hesketh of Rufford, the Lord of the Manor of Great Harwood
Gilbert Hoghton
6 Adelaide Terrace, Blackburn 53°45′07″N 2°29′45″W / 53.75206°N 2.49572°W / 53.75206; -2.49572 Early in the English Civil War, Sir Gilbert Hoghton and his Preston Royalists bombarded Blackburn with cannon fire from here, Christmas Day, 1642
Blackburn railway station (Two plaques)
Blackburn Railway Station (Foyer), Railway Road, Blackburn 53°44′48″N 2°28′46″W / 53.74654°N 2.47956°W / 53.74654; -2.47956

Note - These were in the Station foyer, but have now been removed.

Blackburn Railway Station. Railtrack acknowledges the contribution to the cost of restoration of the station frontage building in 1996 from the Railway Heritage Trust, Lancashire County Council, and the Borough of Blackburn.


Blackburn Railway Station. This station was completed by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway in 1888, replacing the town's first station opened by the Blackburn & Preston Railway at this site in Stonybutts on 1st June 1846. The station frontage building is listed Grade II and stands in a Conservation Area.[9]

Lyceum Theatre[10]
Market Street Lane, Blackburn 53°44′49″N 2°29′01″W / 53.74708°N 2.48364°W / 53.74708; -2.48364

Note - Plaque has been removed

Daniel Burley Woolfall Image available externally - cottontowncat at the Wayback Machine (archived 5 November 2023) 1 Crosshill Road, Blackburn 53°45′01″N 2°30′18″W / 53.75017°N 2.50497°W / 53.75017; -2.50497
Note - Plaque has been removed 		Daniel Burley Woolfall, first British President of FIFA, 1900 - 1918, lived here.
Kathleen Ferrier
57 Lynwood Road, Blackburn 53°45′13″N 2°30′13″W / 53.75354°N 2.50373°W / 53.75354; -2.50373 The home from 1913 to 1933 of Kathleen Ferrier, contralto singer (1912 to 1953)
Wensley Fold C E School
Manor Road, Blackburn 53°44′57″N 2°30′25″W / 53.74924°N 2.50684°W / 53.74924; -2.50684 Wensley Fold C E School. The Victorian house formerly in these grounds became Crosshill Preparatory School, attended by Kathleen Ferrier contralto (1912 - 1953)
All Hallows Spring Well[11]
Railway Road, Blackburn 53°44′50″N 2°28′45″W / 53.74734°N 2.47926°W / 53.74734; -2.47926

Note - No public access

Below this plaque is the site of All Hallows Spring Well, in ancient times a place of pilgrimage and healing. Erected 1955
The Revidge Tank[12] Image available externally - Lancashire Telegraph at the Wayback Machine (archived 4 August 2020) Revidge Road, Blackburn 53°45′35″N 2°29′39″W / 53.75968°N 2.49421°W / 53.75968; -2.49421

Note - Plaque has been removed

The Revidge Tank. This tank was built by Ashton Frost of Blackburn as a water service reservoir in 1987. It stands on the site of a bronze age burial mound dating from about 1,500 B.C.
Dr James Barlow[13] Image not available Spring Mount, Preston New Road, Blackburn 53°45′04″N 2°29′43″W / 53.75121°N 2.49534°W / 53.75121; -2.49534

Note - Plaque missing since the Girls School was demolished

Text unknown
Percy Dean[14]
19 Gorse Road, Blackburn 53°44′54″N 2°30′31″W / 53.74837°N 2.50869°W / 53.74837; -2.50869

Note - Plaque has been temporarily removed

Lieut. Commander Percy Dean MP who was awarded the VC for his part in the raid on Zeebrugge in Belgium on 23rd April 1918 lived here
Blackburn Fire Station[15] Image available externally - Blackburn Fire History at the Wayback Machine (archived 21 June 2024) The Mall, Blackburn 53°44′54″N 2°29′00″W / 53.74825°N 2.48330°W / 53.74825; -2.48330

Note - Plaque has been removed

Blackburn Fire Station Bicentennial 1794 - 1994 Near this spot stood the earliest recorded site of a Fire Station in Blackburn
Harry Healless[16]
6 Top O' Th' Croft, Blackburn 53°43′35″N 2°29′20″W / 53.72636°N 2.48889°W / 53.72636; -2.48889 Harry Healless, Captain of Blackburn Rovers' 1928 F.A. Cup winning team, was born her, 9th February, 1893[17]
James O'Donnell [18][19]
University Close, Blackburn 53°44′57″N 2°29′25″W / 53.74903°N 2.49040°W / 53.74903; -2.49040 Here fell Detective Inspector James O'Donnell QPM MM & BAR 13th December 1958 Blackburn Borough Police, Police Memorial Trust.
John Wesley Image available externally - Cotton Town at the Wayback Machine (archived 11 July 2024) Market Hall, Penny Street, Blackburn 53°44′58″N 2°28′48″W / 53.74939°N 2.47995°W / 53.74939; -2.47995

Note - Plaque was removed when the building was demolished

Close to this spot the first Methodist Meeting House in Blackburn was opened by John Wesley, then 76 years of age, on 27th May 1780.
Sarah Ellen[20][21]
25 Isherwood Street, Blackburn 53°44′01″N 2°29′23″W / 53.73372°N 2.48961°W / 53.73372; -2.48961 Sarah Ellen 1872 - 1913 Lived here 1901 - 1912


References

  1. ^ "Local historians bid to protect commemorative blue plaques in Blackburn". Lancashire Telegraph. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Council wants to remember leading lights with plaques in Blackburn". Lancashire Telegraph. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Blue plaques to honour Blackburn's stars". Lancashire Telegraph. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  4. ^ British Film Institute. "Thanks for the Memories" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 September 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Plaque for Jack unveiled". Lancashire Telegraph. Lancashire Telegraph. 14 May 2001. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  6. ^ Jacobs, Bill (8 April 2014). "Council wants to remember leading lights with plaques in Blackburn". Lancashire Telegraph. Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Blue plaques to honour Blackburn's stars". Lancashire Telegraph. Lancashire Telegraph. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  8. ^ Clough, Dan (19 September 2014). "Blackburn man who invented Vimto to be remembered with new plaque". Lancashire Telegraph. Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  9. ^ "cottontowncat - Blue Plaques". www.cottontowncat.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  10. ^ Roe, Ken. "Lyceum Theatre in Blackburn, GB - Cinema Treasures". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  11. ^ Johnson, Gill (1 July 2018). "Secret history of ancient well in Blackburn town centre". Lancashire Telegraph. Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  12. ^ Riding, Barbara. "A Brief History of Blackburn's Ancient Water Supply Leading up to the Construction of The Tank". Cotton Town. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  13. ^ Harling, Nick. "Blackburn Girls' High School". CottonTown. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Plaque to honour naval hero Percy". Lancashire Telegraph. 16 April 2003. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Celebration of 200 years 1994 The Plaque presentation". Blackburn Fire History. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Former Rovers hero honoured". Lancashire Telegraph. 30 April 1998. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  17. ^ "True blue honour for old Rovers captain". Lancashire Telgraph. 22 April 1998.
  18. ^ Khan, Shuiab (13 December 2022). "Plaque honours Blackburn police and war hero on 64th anniversary of his death". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  19. ^ "Detective Inspector James O'Donnell QPM MM and BAR". The Police Memorial Trust. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  20. ^ "The 'Peruvian vampire' - from East Lancashire". Lancashire Telegraph. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  21. ^ Smith, Stephen. "Sarah Ellen Roberts". Cotton Town. Retrieved 20 July 2024.