On this day in history at Victoria Pier

1899	Work starts on Victoria Pier as the first steam driven pile was screwed into the seabed at Colwyn Bay. Architects and Engineers were Magnalls & Littlewood of Manchester, with the ironwork being pre-fabricated and supplied by the Widnes Foundry Co. It was intended to build a further section later on, taking the pier to 1,050 feet with a landing stage for boats. The Pavilion was constructed by William Brown and Son of Salford.
1900	After just one year of construction, Victoria Pier and Pavilion is officially opened. She stands 40 feet long and 316 feet wide. The pavilion seated 2,500 people, and as well as the theatre it provided a cafe-lounge and refreshment room, together with shops either side of the main entrance. The auditorium was ventilated by a 48 inch electric fan fixed in the dome. The entire pier and pavilion was lit by electricity - a novelty in the day. Mr A. F. Lelande was appointed secretary and manager. The venerable M. Jules Riviere was secured as musical director. His names was emblazoned across the front of the pavilion. The deputy conductor, M. Henri Verbruggen, was one of the finest living violinists.
1900 at 7pm	At 7pm, a huge crowd resulting from the 3,000 invitations that had been sent out assembled at the front of the pier. Mr Littlewood of Magnalls and Littlewood presented a gold key to Mr Mason, the Chairman of the Pier and Pavilion Company. On one side of this key was an illuminated view of the pier and pavilion, on the other the inscription: "Presented to W. F. Mason Esq., by the architects, on the occasion of the opening of the Victoria Pier and Pavilion, Colwyn Bay, June 1st 1900. J. & W. H. Littlewood, Architects and Engineers"