Letchworth Garden City Timeline

1898
Ebenezer Howard publishes 'Tomorrow, A Peaceful path to Real Reform'.

1902
Howard’s book reissued as ‘Garden Cities of Tomorrow’.

1903
First Garden City Ltd is formed to create the world's first Garden City at Letchworth. All profits generated from the estate will be ploughed back into the community.

1904
Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin's Master Plan 'combining the health of the country with the comforts of the town' approved.

1905
Cheap Cottages Exhibition brings 60,000 visitors.

1907
The Skittles Inn, Howgills, Howard Hall and The Cloisters built, now all listed buildings.

From left to right: The Settlement (formerly the Skittles Inn), The Cloisters and Howgills

1912
Work starts on the Spirella factory for William Kincaid’s corset manufacturing company. Completed 1920.

1913
A permanent railway station opens.

1936
Broadway Cinema opens.

1939 - 1945
Throughout the war Letchworth took part in a number of savings campaigns such as the Spitfire Fund and War Weapons week. In total the town raised over £830,000 - the equivalent of nearly £33m in 2003.

1947
Grange Estate created.

1960
Save the Garden City' campaigners fight Hotel York's hostile bid for the Garden City Estate.

1961
Jackmans Estate created.

1962
Act of Parliament sets up the Letchworth Garden City Corporation (LGCC).

1971
A Scheme of Management is introduced and residents living in houses with ground leases are now able to buy their freehold. Lordship and Manor Park Estates are created.

1980
LGCC opens Standalone Farm. Now a major attraction drawing over 100,000 visitors every year.

1982
Plinston Hall opens and the Queen opens North Herts Leisure Centre.

1984
Putting back into the community in 1984 The Ernest Gardiner Day Hospital opens to help local residents recover from illness.

1985
Business Park site purchased and developed.

1995
LGCC, a public sector body, is wound up and the Heritage Foundation (LGCHF), an industrial & Provident Society with charity status takes over its role.

1996
LGCHF concentrates on revitalising the town centre. £2m refurbishment of Broadway Cinema is completed.

1997
A £600,000 refurbishment of The Arcade speciality shopping area.

1998
An £11m regeneration of the Grade II* listed Spirella Building is completed.

1999
A £2m management training centre for North Hertfordshire College opens. Town centre supermarket shopping returns with the opening of Morrisons on Broadway.

North Hertfordshire College

2000
Tourist Information Centre opens.

2003
Letchworth celebrates its first one hundred years and the 12.7-mile Garden City Greenway opens.

2006
Broadway Cinema celebrates it’s 70th birthday