Kingstown

Kingstown is an area of Carlisle, at the north of the city. Historically, Kingstown had been part of the township of Kingmoor, until it became part of Carlisle Civil Parish in 1951.[1] Up to the 19th century, the freemen of Carlisle held guild races on moorland near Kingstown. A toll road (now the A7) was established by the Kingstown & Westlinton Bridge Turnpike Trust in the 1820's (see the old Milestone). By the mid 19th century several inns had been established along this road. Brick-making and cotton weaving had been established at Kingstown by the 19th century. Arrival of the railway and the expansion of Carlisle further transformed the area. Carlisle's first municipal airport was built on open countryside at Kingstown. Kingstown Municipal Airport, built by Carlisle County Borough Council, was officially opened in 1934. However, the airfield had financial challenges and was sold to the military in 1936; RAF Kingstown opened here on 26th September 1938. The airfield, later renamed RAF Carlisle, closed in 1957 and the site is now occupied by Kingstown Industrial Estate.