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Camborne as a 'town' is a comparatively recent construction. Much of the town's growth is associated with the mining boom during the first half of the 19th century and before this time Camborne Churchtown was a hamlet surrounded by moorland. It was only one village in a district of villages most larger than Camborne. The original approach road to Camborne was at Tuckingmill where travellers had to follow an indirect route via Treswithian to reach the hamlet.
With the building of the great turnpike road through Cornwall in 1839, Camborne's isolation ended. Baker's Lane was extended and later this became Trelowarren Street today Camborne's main shopping road. Pigot's Directory for Camborne, 1830 says, 'From being a very insignificant place this town is fast riding into opulence and consequently importance from the valuable mines of tin and copper surrounding it. Several new streets have been added within these few years and there are others projected.'
Camborne reached the peak of its prosperity in the mid 1880s. In 1841 the population numbered 10,061 and by 1871 this had risen to 14,929, the highest ever figure. As the population grew, the town became overcrowded. Drunken brawls riots and lawlessness became more frequent. Methodism did what it could to keep the peace and at one time there were five chapels in Camborne. On one occasion rioting became so furious that the police could not cope and the militia was sent for. These were nicknamed the Red Jackets and the incident is remembered still in the name of the pub in Trevenson Street.
Following the depression in mining after 1873, the years of mass emigration to mining fields overseas began. Even then, Camborne was saved from total ruin by the world-famous Dolcoath mine - the 'Queen of Mines It was deeper and more productive than any other Cornish mine and supported hundreds of families for generations before closing in 1921.
Camborne never again enjoyed the prosperity of its boom years, but you can still see many of the fine buildings and institutions from this era. Follow the Town Trail and introduce yourself to Camborne's architecture and history.
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