Buried Treasure With Arts Groupie CIC: Liverpool Firsts

By John Maguire

This latest Buried Treasure feature with Arts Groupie CIC’s John Maguire, dives into Liverpool’s extraordinary legacy of “firsts.” As January marks a time for fresh starts, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the innovations that have shaped this city’s history. From the world’s first wet dock to pioneering cultural and public health milestones, Liverpool’s impact is undeniable. Let these achievements inspire you as you embark on 2025—perhaps even sparking your own contribution to the rich tapestry of the city region.

And so, this is January, the sun so pale in the sky it takes the vitamin D from the people below, instead of giving it.

New year, New page, New Chapter. You have 365 days to use up and to contribute in your own way to your family, friends and community.

We know that when we speak of Liverpool to a true Liverpudlian, (those who are lucky to call this fine city home), the River Mersey surfaces in their pupils. A MerseyPride that flows through our very bloodstream.

We at Artsgroupie CIC undoubtedly love the heritage of our city and for the first month of this new year we want to take a look at some of the firsts in the history of Liverpool.

1200s

1282 – The first Mersey ferry is established by monks at Birkenhead Priory.
1648 – The first recorded cargo from America arrives in Liverpool.

1700s

1700 – The Liverpool Merchant is the First recorded Liverpool slave ship.
1708 – The first reference to scouse (by Ned Ward in The Wooden World Dissected).
1709 – The first cargo of cotton traded in Liverpool.
1715 – The world’s first wet dock is constructed by Thomas Steers.
1758 – The first circulating library opens (The Lyceum).

1800s

1813 – Nelson Monument in Exchange Flags is unveiled as Liverpool’s First outdoor public sculpture, paid for by public subscription.
1830 – The world’s first train shed and the First large wooden railway station roof at Crown Street Station opens. The First railway passenger fatality occurs, the unfortunate victim being a local politician by the name of William Huskisson.
1838 – The first travelling Post Office (a horse box fitted out as a sorting office) goes into circulation between Liverpool and Birmingham.
1840 – The World’s First scheduled transatlantic passenger service leaves, a wooden paddle-streamer Britannia owned by Samuel Cunard.
1840 – The world’s first photograph developing and printing service opens.
1842 – The world’s first public baths and wash-houses are founded by Kitty Wilkinson and built on Upper Frederick Street.
1844 – The first girl’s day grammar school in England opens, Blackburne House.
1847 – Our very own Dr William Duncan is appointed as the World’s First Medical Officer of Health.
1857 – Britain’s First Chess Club (Liverpool Chess Club) are established.
1859 – The first nurse to be paid for looking after the poor is employed by William Rathbone.
1860 – The first purpose built public library opens in Liverpool.
1861 – The first shot in the American Civil War was fired from a gun made by Liverpool firm Fawcett and Preston.
1862 – The first provincial School of Nursing opens.
1865 – 6th November: The Shenandoah is the last confederate ship to surrender in the River Mersey. The last action of the American Civil War.
1867 – Liverpool Corporation introduced Britain’s First steamroller.
1867 – The Liverpool Velocipedes became Britain’s First cycling club.
1875 – The Liverpool Peace Society heralds the first disarmament campaign.
1877 – The Walker Art Gallery opens its doors, the first British public Art Gallery.
1884 – Britain’s first woman to qualify as a doctor opens a practice in Liverpool.
1886 – The first under-river railway tunnel is constructed under the River Mersey.
1886 – The First purpose-built ambulance in Britain (at the Northern Hospital)
1890 – Ex-City Engineer, John Brodie invents a game changer; Football goal nets.
1892 – The first Marine Biological Station is at Liverpool University.
1893 – The world’s first overhead electric railway .
1893 – The League of Welldoers in Liverpool is founded by an American, Lee Jones.
1895 – The first British School of Architecture and Applied Art opens.
1896 – The first British use of x-ray in medical diagnosis.
1899 – The first School of Tropical Medicine in Britain is opened in April.

1900s

1900 – The largest tobacco warehouse in the world is built at Stanley Dock.
1901 – The first escalator in a railway station goes into operation at Seaforth Sands Station, on the Overhead Railway.
1902 – Hatton Garden Fire Station houses Britain’s First motor fire engine.
1904 – The University of Liverpool is the first Academic Institution in Britain to establish a school of Veterinary Science.
1909 – The First Woolworth’s opened at 25 Church Street.
1909 – Eleanor Rathbone is Britain’s first woman Councillor.
1911 – The Royal Liver Building Clock, the biggest in Britain, started ticking at the exact moment of King George V’s Coronation.
1912 – The first automatic telephone exchange.
1913 – The world’s first crossword puzzle is compiled by Liverpool born Arthur Wynne and appeared in the New York World.
1927 – Liverpool’s first Female Lord Mayor is Margaret Bevan.
1927 – Bluecoat becomes the First British Arts Centre.
1932 – The first purpose built boxing stadium in Britain opens its doors in Bixteth Street.
1934 – The first Mersey Tunnel opened at Queensway. At the time the largest in the world.
1944 – Britain’s first Chinese newspaper, Hua Chow Pao, is published.
1952 – The first package holiday flight takes off from Liverpool Airport.
1953 – Liverpool singer Lita Roza becomes the First British woman to top the chats with How Much is that Doggy in the Window? She refused to sing this novelty track live.
1959 – Britain’s first drive-in bank opens at the National Westminster Bank, Prince’s Road.
1960 – The majestic Martin’s Bank is the first financial institution in the world to use a computer.
1962 – The Mersey Docks & Harbour Company is the first port in Britain to use a computer.
1964 – Liverpool became the first police force to use closed-circuit television.
1970 – Britain’s first public planetarium opens at Liverpool Museum.

Now, we hope that this roll call of accomplishments will serve to inspire you and propel you forward in your endeavours in 2025. To help contribute to your community and perhaps create another First to add to Liverpool’s accomplishments.

If you are interested in heritage and would like to spare a few hours a week, our friends at The Docklands Trail are currently seeking people.

You can send an email to [email protected] for further information.