On October 11, 1864 Campina Grande was raised to the category of city.
It was not the first to reach this designation though.
 In 1846, Areia had been designated a city and dominated the region economically, politically and culturally.
Although Campina Grande was not as established as Areia, it was really not any smaller than that city.
At this time, the city of Campina Grande had three plazas, four streets and about 300 houses.
Of these, there still exist today the two churches: the Matriz (the Cathedral) and the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary.
The latter had been destroyed at one time, but was rebuilt.
Although there was plenty of commercial activity, there was very little actual construction of houses and government buildings.
 By the end of the nineteenth century, Campina Grande still only had about 500 houses.

In the year 1864 a building was constructed for the marketing of goods.
This area had many names over time: "Largo do Comércio Novo", "Praça da Uruguaiana", "Praça das Gameleiras", "Praça da Independência" and finally, "Praça Epitácio Pessoa".
In 1870 a law banning the washing of clothes and animals in Açude Velho was proclaimed.
On September 18, 1865 the metric system was made the official form of measurement in Campina Grande.

In 1874, a rebellion led by João Vieira occurred.
João Vieira and a number of revolutionaries came down from the Bodopitá mountain range and invaded the city's market.
They broke into some money boxes and destroyed a few things.
The revolt spread out across the region.
Over time the rebels grew in numbers and became well armed.
They were led by Manoel de Barros Souza and Alexandre de Viveiros.
One of the objectives of Alexandre de Viveiros was to break into the city jail and liberate all the prisoners, including the father of Manoel de Barros Souza.
They also planned to set the municipal offices on fire in order to destroy all the records kept there.
However, over the next number of months the police force disrupted their plans.
Alexandre de Viveiros was eventually imprisoned, but João Vieirad disappeared.
After the revolt, the police abused the population without cause, arresting or punishing innocent citizens.
Thus, the average person suffered both from the rebels and the police.

On March 25, 1877 a new Municipal building was constructed next to the Cathedral.
 It became one of the most elegant buildings in the state and initiated an area of fine homes.

In May 1891, a theatre was constructed for the purpose of both teaching and performance.
This became the Colégio Alfredo Dantas.

The city continued to gradually develop, but economic and social changes really occurred only from the early  20th century.
In this period, the railroad arrived and with it came cheaper and more varied products which impacted the local economy.
On October 11, 1864 Campina Grande was raised to the category of city. It was not the first to reach this designation though.  In 1846, Areia had been designated a city and dominated the region economically, politically and culturally. Although Campina Grande was not as established as Areia, it was really not any smaller than that city. At this time, the city of Campina Grande had three plazas, four streets and about 300 houses. Of these, there still exist today the two churches: the Matriz (the Cathedral) and the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. The latter had been destroyed at one time, but was rebuilt. Although there was plenty of commercial activity, there was very little actual construction of houses and government buildings.  By the end of the nineteenth century, Campina Grande still only had about 500 houses.
In the year 1864 a building was constructed for the marketing of goods. This area had many names over time: "Largo do Comércio Novo", "Praça da Uruguaiana", "Praça das Gameleiras", "Praça da Independência" and finally, "Praça Epitácio Pessoa". In 1870 a law banning the washing of clothes and animals in Açude Velho was proclaimed. On September 18, 1865 the metric system was made the official form of measurement in Campina Grande.
In 1874, a rebellion led by João Vieira occurred. João Vieira and a number of revolutionaries came down from the Bodopitá mountain range and invaded the city's market. They broke into some money boxes and destroyed a few things. The revolt spread out across the region. Over time the rebels grew in numbers and became well armed. They were led by Manoel de Barros Souza and Alexandre de Viveiros. One of the objectives of Alexandre de Viveiros was to break into the city jail and liberate all the prisoners, including the father of Manoel de Barros Souza. They also planned to set the municipal offices on fire in order to destroy all the records kept there. However, over the next number of months the police force disrupted their plans. Alexandre de Viveiros was eventually imprisoned, but João Vieirad disappeared. After the revolt, the police abused the population without cause, arresting or punishing innocent citizens. Thus, the average person suffered both from the rebels and the police.
On March 25, 1877 a new Municipal building was constructed next to the Cathedral.  It became one of the most elegant buildings in the state and initiated an area of fine homes.
In May 1891, a theatre was constructed for the purpose of both teaching and performance. This became the Colégio Alfredo Dantas.
The city continued to gradually develop, but economic and social changes really occurred only from the early  20th century. In this period, the railroad arrived and with it came cheaper and more varied products which impacted the local economy.
Campina Grande