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Chennai - History
The Madras Museum is established. The Museum's finest exhibits are bronzes, woodcarvings, stone sculptures and its arms gallery. The first railway line in the south, linking Chennai to Arcot, is laid. It is opened on July 1, 1856. The Royapuram Station, from which trains chugged out at that time, is the city's first railway station. Charles Todhunter established the first Teacher's Training College in the city. This is one of the oldest teacher's training institutions in Asia. Madras University is established. This is one of the three oldest Universities in the country today. Railway Workshops are established in Perambur. These grow substantially to become the Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
Robert Chisholm wins a competition for designs of Presidency College and University Headquarters. He is credited with building many of Chennai's most magnificent landmarks. The first organised Census of the city was taken. A population of 3,97,552 was recorded for an area of 27 sq. miles. Central Station's original structure is completed. The Station took its present shape in 1900. In 1907 it became the main Madras terminal for rail traffic.
'The Hindu' commences publication. This newspaper in English is amongst the most respected in the southern region and also the most widely circulated in the city. Buckingham Mills commences operations. In 1920, it was amalgamated with Carnatic Mills. Binny's eventually became the owners. Senate House is opened to University students. Robert Chisholm built this Byzantine-styled structure. Governor Grant-Duff names the promenades that he created (along the beach) 'Marina'. The three and a half kilometre long Marina beach is one of the longest beaches in the world.
The Theosophical Society is established by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Col. Henry S Olcott. This is the world headquarters of the spiritual movement that treasures the riches of all great religions. The High Court building was completed and declared open. The tallest tower in the complex, rising 175 feet high, functioned as a lighthouse till the 1970s. The Connemara Library opened. Built by T. Namberumal Chetty, it was named after the Governor who opened it. From February 6th to 15th Swami Vivekananda stays at Ice House as he delivers seven historic lectures at Madras. His sojourn results in the rechristening of Ice House as Vivekananda Illam (Vivekananda House) in 1963 (the homecoming centenary of Swami Vivekanada). San Thome basilica is built to replace the older church on the site where St Thomas (disciple of Jesus Christ) was believed to be buried in 72 A D
Chennai - History
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