Early Luton
6th Century The Saxons conquer Bedfordshire
10th Century Luton has grown into a busy little town
1139-1154 A castle exists in Luton. It gives Castle Street its name.
1336 Luton is badly damaged by a fire
1645 A skirmish takes place in Luton during the Civil War
18th Century A straw hat making industry booms in Luton
1757 Luton Hoo is built
1797 A bridge is built over the River Lea
19th Century Luton
1801 The population of Luton is 3,095
1834 Luton gains gas light
1847 Luton Town Hall is built
1848 Luton is struck by cholera
1850 A Board of Health is formed in Luton
1854 Luton gains its first newspaper
1858 The railway reaches Luton
1865 Luton gains a piped water supply
1872 Luton gains its first hospital
1876 Luton is made a borough
1877 Luton Chamber of Commerce is founded
1885 Luton Town FC is founded
Modern Luton
1901 The population of Luton is 38,926
1904 The council purchases Wardown estate and makes it a park
1905 Vauxhall comes to Luton
1908 Trams begin running in Luton
1909 The first cinema in Luton opens
1919 Luton Town Hall is burned during a riot
1931 Wardown House is made a museum and art gallery
1932 Trams in Luton cease as buses have replaced them
1936 A new Town Hall is built in Luton
1937 A new Court House is built
1938 Luton Airport opens
1939 Luton and Dunstable Hospital opens
World War II In Luton 107 people are killed by German bombing
1962 A new Central Library is built
1960s Luton has a population of over 130,000
1972 The Arndale Centre is built
1991 Wigmore Park Shopping Centre is built
1997 Luton is made a Unitary Authority
1998 The Galaxy Leisure Centre is built
1999 Luton Airport Parkway Station is built
2002 Car production in Luton ends
2007 St Georges Square is redeveloped
