Wigan, The Infirmary 1896
Photo ref: 37397
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By 1896 Wigan was taking public health seriously, and not only in the provision of hospital beds. In 1868 Manchester and Liverpool were the only Lancashire authorities with medical officers of health, and as late as 1876 Wigan still lacked a uniform system for disposing of or treating sewage. The place was said to be 'a compound of villainous smells'.

An extract from Greater Manchester Photographic Memories.

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Greater Manchester Photographic Memories

Greater Manchester Photographic Memories

The photo 'Wigan, the Infirmary 1896' appears in this book.

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A Selection of Memories from Wigan

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Wigan

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

Dad would walk me from Hindley up to Plantation Gates then we would get the little train that ran from behind Haigh Hall plantation gates.Started walking in 1952 & went many times.
I was born in Poolstock lane in Wigan and this was my local church. I particularly remember comming to the church for an Ascension Day service in the late 50s early 60s before the annual school trip to Rhyl. I was christened at this church and many members of my family were married and had funeral services here. Does anyone have any photographs of the Paxton or Dickinson family of Poolstock or can remember anything about them?
My grandma, Louisa Atherton, grew up in the Grayson family in Wigan. They later relocated to King Street, Eccles, Manchester, Lancashire. She had a son, Norman Atherton who was in the army(Burma). Are there any relatives out there? Norman emigrated to Australia. She later married Samuel Brown.
That's why it's called 'Haigh' Hall and not Wigan Hall. It's NEAR Wigan.