As one of the leading pest control companies in Doncaster, we have visited many places to take control of people’s “pest” problems. We have worked in Doncaster for many years and often get asked about the history of Doncaster and pest control.
Please take a look below at some of the histories of Doncaster through the years and some of the historic places that it has had in the past and currently.
Dating back to AD71, Doncaster has a rich and fascinating history. Built on a Roman fort and with a bustling market dating back to the 12th century, it has an intriguing past. Keep reading to find out more about this much-loved Yorkshire city.
The history of Doncaster begins with the Romans building a fort here in AD71. They called the fort Danum. The Roman civilisation declined in the 4th century, with the last Roman soldiers leaving Britain in 407 AD. After the Romans left, the village by the fort became Don Ceaster, with the name eventually changing to Doncaster.
In the 12th century, Doncaster became a very busy town, and in 1194, King Richard I granted its charter. This was a document that gave it certain rights. It was a bustling market town, although it would probably seem quite small to us today.
In 1204, a terrible fire occurred in Doncaster, made worse by the fact that most buildings were made from wood at this time. Although their wooden construction meant that fire was an ongoing hazard, it did mean that rebuilding buildings was easier.
In the 14th century, friars started to reside in Doncaster. Whilst they were in many ways similar to monks, the friars went out into the town to preach rather than withdraw from the world. In 1307, the Franciscan friars arrived. They were known as the ‘grey friars’ due to the colour of their clothing. The ‘Carmelites’ which were also known as ‘white friars’ arrived in the town in the mid-14th century.
During this period, this small and bustling market town grew even further. This was despite a number of outbreaks of plague in 1562, 1582, 1583, 1604, and 1606. Even though the plague took large parts of Doncaster’s population every time it hit, it managed to recover each time. A grammar school opened in 1575, followed by a major typhoid outbreak in 1700.
Doncaster became a major coaching town in the 18th century, which mean that lots of stagecoaches travelled through the town. This resulted in many inns which served the needs of travellers, providing food, drink, and rest.
Another key event from this period was the construction of the Mansion House between 1744-1750. Doncaster’s elegant Grade 1 listed Mansion House has dominated the High Street for over 250 years and is one of four surviving civic Mansion Houses nationwide.
The Mansion House was a place for corporate entertaining rather than a residence for the mayor in his year of office. Although, a few mayors did make use of the rooms for this purpose.
Doncaster’s first theatre, the Theatre Royal opened in 1776, the same year as the renowned St Ledger for horse racing. In 1792, a dispensary opened in the town, allowing the poorest people to obtain medicine free of charge.
By 1831, the town’s population hit 10,000. This would be considered quite large at the time. However, similar to many other towns during this period, it was unsanitary and many residents lived in squalid conditions. There was some improvement in the late 1800s thanks to the construction of sewers and the development of a piped water supply. The town’s first infirmary opened its doors in 1853, followed by a free public library in 1869.
A new Guildhall was built in 1847, followed by the Corn Exchange in 1873. Railways started to run through the town in 1849. Although this resulted in the end of the stagecoaches, they brought new prosperity to the area.
In 1853, the Great Northern Railway moved the engine-building works to the town, becoming the area’s main employer. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, engineering became Doncaster’s leading industry.
There are few better places to start looking into the history of Doncaster than with its market. First chartered in 1248, it was held around the church of St. Mary Magdalene, eventually expanding north of the church. The church was deconsecrated back in 1548, and buildings slowly encroached on its churchyard. A Butchers’ Shambles and a butter cross were built to the west of the church, with a New Shambles following in 1778. Later on in the 1780s, cattle sales started to take place in the market, and it became one of the biggest in the country for wool sales.
Various key events took place during this period, including electric trams running through the town’s streets from 1902 onwards. Trams were
replaced by trolleybuses in 1928, although they started to be phased out in 1961.
Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery opened in 1909, and in 1923, Elmfield Park opened. In 1964, a brand-new purpose-built museum welcomed people through its doors.
By 1914, the Doncaster Borough expanded to include other areas, including Balby, Wheatley, and Hexthorpe. The town’s population had grown dramatically to 83,000 in 1951.
Doncaster suffered a heavy attack in 1941 during World War II, with two parachute mines dropped on it. Despite this, the town got off fairly lightly compared to other areas in terms of damage and causalities.
The Frenchgate Centre (previously the Arndale Centre), opened to shoppers in 1968, followed by the Waterfield Centre in 1969. Robin Hood Airport opened just outside Doncaster in 2005, followed by the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum in 2021.
With the population of Doncaster reaching 158,000 this year and gaining city status in November 2022, it’s clear that it has become a sought-after place to live and work.
As you can imagine such a big city there with lots of issues with vermin. That’s why Doncaster pest control is a full-time job!
For Doncaster pest Control, contact Topline. Telephone 01302 969049 to talk to one of our team, or, alternatively, send a message via the website. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Also, we provide a 24/7 service for emergencies, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’re dealing with a problem that needs immediate attention.
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