A look back through the decades
As one of the largest towns in the country, Bolton boasts a long and interesting history.
Home to Bolton Wanderers, the area also ties to famous faces such as Sir Ian McKellen, Peter Kay and Maxine Peake and was historically part of Lancashire.
Over time, like elsewhere in Greater Manchester and beyond, how Bolton looks and the way local people work, play and socialize has changed – as shown in these nostalgic pictures.
ReadMore: Date nights, album signings and babies at Old Trafford – The Beckhams in Manchester through the years
Here is just a part of Bolton’s history that has been captured below.
For beautiful, historic images from the past have a look at memorylane.co.uk/ and see what you can discover
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The Queen visits Bolton, Greater Manchester. December 1, 1988
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German PoWs clear baskets from Boltons stand before the wartime cup final, May 1945
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Dog makes up with actor Christopher Timothy at their Bolton hotel after biting him during filming ‘Spring and Port Wine’. She bit Chris’s bottom and thighs before latching on to his thumb from him and he had to have injections at Bolton Royal Infirmary. Chris is pictured showing Shady her bandaged thumb. April 28, 1969
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Bolton players on war service in the same unit, March 1941
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The Queen views synchronized swimmers in Bolton, December 1988
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Bolton man George Brown takes his family on the open road with trusty horse Duke, April 1949
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Launching of the cargo ship Rembrandt, built and engined by the Smith’s Dock Company Ltd for the Bolton Steam Shipping Company Ltd, at Smiths Dock at South Bank on the River Tees. January 29, 1960
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English League Division Three match at Burnden Park. Bolton Wanderers beat York City 3-0 to secure their promotion to the second Division. April 21, 1973
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Campaigning under way by local politicians in Bolton, Greater Manchester ahead of the 1974 General Election. The labor Candidates Ann Taylor contested Bolton West constituency and David Young contested Bolton East. February 14, 1974
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Steeplejack Fred Dibnah and his wife Alison interviewed for the BBC television series ‘Fred’, Bolton, Greater Manchester, August 1982
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Burnden Park, Bolton, Greater Manchester, 1992. Aerial view of the former home of Bolton Wanderers Football Club
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Bolton Town Hall and Victoria Square, Greater Manchester. March 14, 1979
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Prospective Labor member of Parliament Harriet Harman gets the lowdown from MP for Bolton Ann Taylor, with her five weeks old baby boy. October 1, 1982
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Coronation Street actor William Roache opening a shop in Bolton with his wife Sarah and daughter Verity. May 25, 1985
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Coronation Street actor William Roache opening a shop in Bolton with his wife Sarah and daughter Verity. May 25, 1985
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Closing of the Eagley Mills, Eagley, near Bolton, Greater Manchester. Eagley Mills is owned by JP Coats Ltd. and is due to close in June 1972. 600 people will lose their jobs in the closure. January 23, 1972
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Weaver at the Albion towel works in Bolton, Greater Manchester, Circa 1930
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New Bolton signing Roger Hunt with manager Nat Lofthouse at Burnden Park, December 1969
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Campaigning under way by local politicians in Bolton, Greater Manchester ahead of the 1974 General Election. The labor Candidates Ann Taylor contested Bolton West constituency and David Young contested Bolton East. February 14, 1974
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Closing of the Eagley Mills (clock tower of Eagley Mills can been seen in the background), Eagley, near Bolton, Greater Manchester. Eagley Mills is owned by JP Coats Ltd. and is due to close in June 1972. 600 people will lose their jobs in the closure. January 23, 1972
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Bill Holden and some of the 15,000 lights for his Christmas display at Ratcliffe Farm, Lostock, Bolton. December 19, 1995
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Bolton Wanderers team training session at Burnden Park. Paul Jones (left) and Garry Jones. July 24, 1972
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Comedian Peter Kay pictured on the streets of his home town in Bolton prior to the screening of his Channel 4 series That Peter Kay Thing later in the year. January 26, 2000
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The Queen visits Bolton, Greater Manchester, December 1, 1988
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