The diagrams illustrate the changes that took place in the town of Dalton between 1815 and 2015.Overall, Dalton witnessed significant modernization over the 200-year period, most notably with the replacement of farmland and forest with housing, as well as the development of industrial zones, upgraded transport systems and other infrastructure..
In 1815, Dalton was a small village located to the east of the River Dal. The area mainly consisted of natural and agricultural land, with Dalton Forest occupying the west and Hall Farm situated near the centre. A few houses and Dalton Hall were found to the east. A bridgeway ran across the river through a ford, linking the farm to a small settlement.
By 2015, Dalton had expanded significantly. The farmland and much of the forest had been cleared to make way for residential areas, a hospital, and an industrial zone in the west. The town’s transport network was also transformed: the old ford was replaced by a substantial bridge across the River Dal and new road links were laid out, the industrial area and an airport were established along the river bank. The central area was redeveloped with a school and rows of houses, and to the east Dalton Hall remained, but it was now located beside a newly built hotel.