To many in the UK, the Black Country is a name that trips right off the tongue, yet few consider how this nickname for parts of the West Midlands came about. Well, this post shall surely attempt to probe the question in greater detail and, by charting the area to its present condition, take stock of how much has changed along the way. In brief, the name of Black Country originated from the number of industries that were located on the back doorstep, which was a significant quantity when Great Britain was going through a rapid process of industrialisation.
What industries were present in the Black Country?
There was a wide variety of different industries that survived and flourished in this area – both in steel and iron and in coal and brick. Finding more about the history of the steel industry certainly can give you more into the backstory of this particular region.
Where did it get its name?
Although the name is linked to the number of industries directly linked to the area, there is some debate about where the Black Country moniker actually came from. For some, it is based on the black soot that would pour from the factories, while for others it was about the 30-foot coal seam that could be commonly found. Whatever the case, the name was certainly being used in common parlance right the way back from the mid-19th century, but it only became the region’s official name in 1987. A big part of this came down to the idea of making the area instantly recognisable and ensuring that as many tourists as possible could be drawn in.
Where are the Black Country boundaries?
There is still some debate about the area boundaries for the Black Country. Many times, people say it covers Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. However, there are those that find the latter city not to be covered in this definition as it failed to have coal mines directly within the area.
Why does Black Country have such a strong identity?
Many parts of the UK might claim to hold identity in high regard, but certainly, that of the Black Country is among the greatest. There is even an official flag, designed in 2009 by one Philip Tibbets. It was also announced that there should be an official Black Country Day on 14 July. This comes with the anniversary of the creation of the Newcomen steam engine. There is also an official Black Country anthem in existence, showing just how much the identity really has taken off in recent years.
Hopefully, by now—after reading the blog post—you will be in possession of a far greater understanding about the Black Country and how it got its name, not to mention a little more about the strong sense of identity. You may also be inspired to make a visit to the region in order to see history firsthand.
