1864 - Thomas Livsey died on January 25. 40,000 people lined the route of the funeral
1866 - Co-op Central Stores opened at 45 - 51 Toad Lane
1867 - The Prince of Wales Theatre opened. Was later renamed Theatre Royal

1871 - Rochdale Town Hall completed and opened
1872 - First Free Public Library opened September 18
1872 - James Nuttal began constructing fish and chip ranges
1875 - John Ellis born, son of Joseph and Sarah Ellis of 18 Broad Lane.
           He worked for 23 years as public executioner.
1877 - Rochdale's Union Workhouse at Dearnley (now Birch Hill Hospital) completed
1879 - Rochdale to Bacup railway line opened

1881 - Thomas Robinson's Machine Manufacturing Works established the world's first factory canteen
1883 - Steam trams began operating1883 - Rochdale Town Hall tower destroyed by fire
1884 - First purpose built Public Library opened October 30
1889 - John Bright died
1889 - New Rochdale Station opened

1890 - John McNaught built the world's largest mill engine at the Ellenroad Mill.
1894 - Fossil tree found at Sparth Bottom
1895 - Oldham Joint Company Bank opened on September 30
1896 - Jack Howarth aka Albert Tatlock - born
1896 - The Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank opened on July 4
1898 - Gracie Stansfield (Fields) born on January 9 in Moleworth Street
1899 - The White Angel statue donated by Ellen MacKinnon