The two maps illustrate how the town of Dalton was transformed between 1815 and 2015, evolving from a small rural settlement into a fully developed town.
Overall, the most significant changes were the almost complete disappearance of Dalton Forest, the construction of a bridge linking the two banks of the River Dal, and the introduction of transport and educational infrastructure that did not previously exist.
In 1815, the west bank was dominated by Dalton Forest, with a ford and a bridleway providing the only means of crossing the river near Hall Farm. On the east bank stood the small settlement of Dalton itself, along with a few houses and Dalton Hall. By 2015, however, the forest had been reduced to a narrow strip beside the river, with the remaining land converted into an industrial zone and a hospital. Hall Farm had vanished entirely.
On the eastern side, the town expanded considerably: additional housing, a school, and an airport were built, while Dalton Hall was redeveloped into Dalton Hall Hotel. Crucially, the ford and bridleway were replaced by a bridge, finally connecting the industrial west with the residential and commercial east, enabling residents to move freely between the two areas.