In 1246 Wigan was incorporated as a borough with a Charter issued by King Henry III of England. It was included into one of Lancashire's four boroughs that had Royal charters along with Liverpool. Preston and Lancaster. There was a major economic boost during the Industrial Revolution that brought with it a drastic rise in the population of the town. While the town used to rely on its clock and porcelain manufacturing industries, they now are known as a vital milling town as well as for its coal mining district. In 1450 the first of many coal mines was started in Wigan running 1,000 pit shafts with in a five mile area at its peak. During the 20th century, however, coal mining stopped all together.
Wigan was included as part of Greater Manchester in 1974. When the activities of the industries declined, the collections of the warehouses and wharfs on the Wigan Pier were turned into a heritage and cultural center. The Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club as well as the Wigan Athletic Football Club call the town's DW Stadium home. Both teams were at the top of their leagues. The DW Stadium seats 25,000 and was rated one of the best stadiums for rugby in the country.
The town's name dates back the 7th century and is believed to have come from a word that meant settlement or village. There is also the theory that the name came from a person during Celtic times with the name of Wigan. Also the town may have once had the preface of Tred, a word meaning homestead, making it TrefWIgan.
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