In 1821, the population was 200, and by 1831 it was 2,569. The first Town Hall and market hall was opened in Hamilton Street in 1835. In 1840 the Birkenhead to Chester railway was opened and in 1843 work started on Birkenhead Park.
By 1846 the population increased to 40,000 but then the dock scheme failed, there was a slump and thousands left.
The 1860’s proved to be the start of a renewal of Birkenhead’s fortune. The first tramway service to be run in Europe was inaugurated here and ran from Woodside to Birkenhead Park. Birkenhead elected its first M.P. John Laird, William’s son. John Laird provided the money for the building of the Borough Hospital. The first workhouse was built and the first purpose built library opened. Following many years of petitions and deputation’s Birkenhead became a Borough on 13 August 1877.
The first election took place on 14 November 1877, the first mayor to be elected was John Laird.
