The Recent Past.
Nineteenth Century.
The beginning of the century saw little real change in the lot of the village, by 1831, the population had increased by only around 150 people, the actual figure given being, 637, dwelling in 134 houses. Roughly half the population worked on the land, whilst the remainder were employed in supportive trades, shop workers, small business's etc.
The school, established in the previous century, continued to educate the young of Clowne, throughout the century, until it came under state auspices in the 1870's.There was also an active Sunday school.
By 1830, in addition to the many alehouses, Clowne boasted five licensed Public Houses.
Major families at this time included the Hill family of Romely Hall, (now no longer existing.) and
The Bowden family of Southgate house, (now a hotel and Garden Centre)
Southgate House itself, having a chequered history, besides being the home of the Bowden family, it was also the site of Clowne's first Roman Catholic Church (built originally as the private chapel for its catholic owners), it was later used as barracks for cavalry, a POW camp and finally a hotel.
By the 1870's the mining industry had arrived in Clowne, the population almost trebled by 1901 a mere thirty years after the sinking of the first shaft, the population had increased to 3,896.Clowne now boasted of two major collieries, two railway stations, two schools, and a regular postal service.
It's commercial section was no less impressive comprising of amongst others, 4 Inns, 4 Ale Houses, 8 other business that sold wine and beer, 8 butchers, 2 pork butchers, 3 green grocers, 13 other grocers, 5 tailors, 4 shoe shops and many other tradesmen including joiners, hairdressers, watchmaker, etc. Until the 1890's a hat-manufacturing firm existed, along with a mineral water business.
Although a substantial industry had transformed the village, farming continued in the area, at the turn of the century in 1900, there were recorded over 20 farmers in the parish, one of who had his own flour mill. Body and soul were looked after by the rector, numerous chapel pastors, a Salvation Army Chaplain and two doctors.

Twentieth Century.
It was obviously a thriving community that saw in, the new century, yet certain things had not changed over a very long time. The Old Cross still stood as it had for the previous 800 years in the centre of the village. Close by stood the village pump and the village's unique stone stocks. It was only in the latter part of the century that the stocks were removed to a local garden and the site of the pump covered by a cover.
In June 1911, the first cinema, in the area, was opened, known as The Picture Palace; it survived until the early 1960's.
In June 1914, the king, George V, visited the village.1914 also saw the beginning of the First World War, Clowne was no different than any other place in the country, it's brave young men marched proudly, away to war. 97 men did not march back! As these men were nearly all of the same age, almost a whole generation of the village was wiped out. These men are honoured along with those of the village who gave their lives in World War II, on the white marble memorial in the centre of Clowne.
The local pit, which had begun it's life in 1875, turned it's last coal in 1929.At it's heyday the 1000ft deep mine, had employed 400 men and produced 600 tons of coal per day! Local miners moved to nearby pits, but their home was firmly Clowne, Just how dangerous their profession could be is shown in two accidents in which Clowne men were involved. The first in 1938 claimed the lives of 79 men, 4 of whom came from Clowne.The worst disaster to hit the village came in September 1950, when 83 men died in the Creswell Disaster. Very few families in Clowne were not touched by these losses.
In the latter years of the century, a new revolution in the way Clowne exists has occurred, The demise of the mining industry ushered in a new age. It is fitting that in this age of information, Clowne should once more come to the forefront of New Technology as she has so many times in the past 2000 years of her history. The home campus of North Derbyshire College, is a fitting testament to the village's commitment to the future. Of one thing today's students can be sure, that the solid rock of history that Clowne sits on, will ensure their stability, as they write their own new chapters of the story, into the 21st Century, and beyond!
The Picture Palace.
The Schools.
Southgate House.
Twin Stations.
The Old Mill.
Southgate Colliery.