In the course of the 19th century Roeselare grew into a prosperous industrial city. As the whole region, Roeselare was within living memory know as a centre of traditional linen spinning and weaving. In 1815 some 31 % of the habitants of the town and its surroundings were working in textile. After the agricultural linen industry was in crisis (1836-1859), especially in Roeselare a new and modern textile industry grew. The first mechanical weaving mill with power looms and steam engine was founded by the company Tant-Verlinde in 1852, and soon followed by others. In 1868, famous poet Guido Gezelle described the city as the "Manchester of Flanders". To facilitate the transport of coal from Wallonia and cotton, a canal was dug between 1863 and 1872 connecting the town and the Leie-river. Roeselare got its own inner harbour: the first quay walls date from 1880.
Of course, Roeselare had many breweries. Although there is now only one professional brewery in the city, that was ever different. ‘De Beer’ (the bear), ‘De Arend’ (the Eagle), ‘Cauwe’, ‘Deleu’, ‘Facon’, ‘Mahieu’, ‘Sint Michiels’, ‘Sint Vincentius’, ‘De’Toekomst’ (the Future’ and ‘De Weeze4 were once all breweries in Roeselare.