Litherland remained a poor area until the arrival of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in 1774, this brought the area into the modern world, originally providing a safe route through Lancashire from Liverpool to Wigan, and eventually in 1816 through to Leeds.

The outcome of all this activity was to bring prosperous businessmen from the city to the countryside, where they had a desire to live.

[2] The area was the northern extremity of the Bootle and North Docks lines of Liverpool's tramway network.

This short stretch was the last horse drawn service in Liverpool, switching to electric operation in August 1903, eight months after the rest of the system converted.

[3] The Litherland Gala was staged every year and was famous for the procession of shire horses and floats from the docks.

Litherland Town Hall was officially opened in February 1941:[4] The Beatles played some of their earliest gigs there in 1961.