Until the 19th century, Strangeways was rural, with Strangeways Hall, Park and Gardens. Strangeways was recorded in 1322 as Strangwas, from the Anglo-SaxonStrang and gewæsc meaning "[a place by] a stream with a strong current".
Strangeways Prison, seen from Derby Street, down Blacklock Street
1459: First known mention of the de Strangeways family in the area.
1544: A settlement document describes widespread property attached to Strangeways Hall, including 24 houses, 20 town properties, 20 cottages, and various land up to several miles away.
1641: Strangeways Hall appears on a map. It was in Elizabethan or Jacobean style.
1624: John Hartley (1609-1655) bought Strangeways Hall. His father Nicholas Hartley and elder brother Richard were wool merchants in Manchester.
Early 18th century: A grey stucco, palladian-style addition to Strangeways Hall was built.
1713: The Reynolds family took over the hall.
1768: Francis Reynolds granted a lease to Robert Norton to build a house and silk dyeing works by the Hall's fish pond.
1777: Strangeways Hall first known to be let to a tenant (Hugh Oldham).
1858: Strangeways Hall demolished and its materials sold
1859: A newspaper report that the Hall was "several times rebuilt".
1864: Completion of building of the Assize Courts on the site of Strangeways Hall. (It was destroyed in the 1939-1945 Blitz and its site is now a car park on Great Ducie Street).
1868: Strangeways Prison opened. It was built on the site of Strangeways Hall's fish ponds.
late 19th century: Jewish immigration to the area, fleeing from violence in Russia.