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The Yorkshire Archaeological & Historical Society

Since 1863

For everyone interested in Yorkshire's past

  1. Sections
  2. Industrial History
  3. Yorkshire’s industrial development
  • Waterloo Mills, c1870, Silsden, alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
  • Dean Clough Mills, Halifax, home of Crossley’s world-famous carpets, 1802-1982
  • Cupola Smelt Mill, Grassington Moor. Produced lead 1792-1882.
  • Stokes Paints Ltd, Little London Road, Sheffield. Founded 1899, production moved to Huthwaite c2005.
  • Hunslet Engine Co Ltd, Leeds. Between 1864 and 1995 they built c7000 locomotives many exported world-wide
  • Jowett Kestrel, 1934. Jowett cars and vans were built in Bradford 1906-1954.

Yorkshire’s industrial development

In broad terms, industry is concerned with the transformation of natural raw materials to meet our need for food, shelter and warmth - and nowadays much else besides. Industrial archaeology and history are concerned with the study and understanding of these processes and their impact on rural and urban landscapes.

Here are some examples of the industries which have made Yorkshire what it is today.

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Elsecar New Colliery was opened in 1795, for Earl Fitzwilliam, to exploit the Barnsley coal seam. The Newcomen engine was built to pump water from the pit. The engine operated from 1795 to 1923. It was restored in 2015

Elsecar New Colliery was opened in 1795, for Earl Fitzwilliam, to exploit the Barnsley coal seam. The Newcomen engine was built to pump water from the pit. The engine operated from 1795 to 1923. It was restored in 2015
Sheffield was famous for the production of knives by the later 14th century. The cutlery industry grew during succeeding centuries; water power was harnessed to increase the scale of manufacture. Shepherd Wheel, dating from the 16th century, was one of many small water-powered knife grinding workshops established along Sheffield's rivers

Sheffield was famous for the production of knives by the later 14th century. The cutlery industry grew during succeeding centuries; water power was harnessed to increase the scale of manufacture. Shepherd Wheel, dating from the 16th century, was one of many small water-powered knife grinding workshops established along Sheffield's rivers
Knives were finished by hand by “little mesters” in small workshops. Knives, saws, scythes, shears, files, chisels were produced in workshops and factories across the city, steam replacing water power in the 19th century.

Knives were finished by hand by “little mesters” in small workshops. Knives, saws, scythes, shears, files, chisels were produced in workshops and factories across the city, steam replacing water power in the 19th century.
Redcar Steel Works was established in 1917 by Dorman Long. Steel for Sydney Harbour Bridge and Newcastle’s Tyne Bridge was produced here. The works closed at the end of 2016

Redcar Steel Works was established in 1917 by Dorman Long. Steel for Sydney Harbour Bridge and Newcastle’s Tyne Bridge was produced here. The works closed at the end of 2016
Monckton Coke Works, Royston, was established in 1874. Until closure in 2015 it was one of the leading producers of high quality metallurgical coke in Europe, selling to the soda ash industry; for ore smelting, brickworks and blacksmiths.

Monckton Coke Works, Royston, was established in 1874. Until closure in 2015 it was one of the leading producers of high quality metallurgical coke in Europe, selling to the soda ash industry; for ore smelting, brickworks and blacksmiths.
Wath Mill, near Pateley Bridge. A water-powered corn mill built in 1880, on the site of an earlier corn / flax / bobbin / mill. Having closed in the 1930s it is now being conserved

Wath Mill, near Pateley Bridge. A water-powered corn mill built in 1880, on the site of an earlier corn / flax / bobbin / mill. Having closed in the 1930s it is now being conserved
Queen’s Mill, Castleford. Built in 1888, it was the World’s biggest stone-grinding flour mill, closing in 2010. Now operated by the Castleford Heritage Trust.

Queen’s Mill, Castleford. Built in 1888, it was the World’s biggest stone-grinding flour mill, closing in 2010. Now operated by the Castleford Heritage Trust.
Lead was extracted and processed in Nidderdale in the Roman period. Lead working was a significant industry near Greenhow from the late 18th century to the late 19th century when the Prosperous lead mine and smelting mill was operational.

Lead was extracted and processed in Nidderdale in the Roman period. Lead working was a significant industry near Greenhow from the late 18th century to the late 19th century when the Prosperous lead mine and smelting mill was operational.
Goole began development as a canal and river port in 1826 with the opening of the Aire & Calder Navigation to the River Ouse. It became a significant inland port and the docks expanded throughout the 19th century. Aldam Dock opened in 1881.

Goole began development as a canal and river port in 1826 with the opening of the Aire & Calder Navigation to the River Ouse. It became a significant inland port and the docks expanded throughout the 19th century. Aldam Dock opened in 1881.
The Bingley five-rise lock, 1774, on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, built 1770-1816, connecting Leeds with ports on the east and west coasts. Many textile mills were built alongside the Canal, such as Damart’s Bowling Green Mill, in 1871.

The Bingley five-rise lock, 1774, on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, built 1770-1816, connecting Leeds with ports on the east and west coasts. Many textile mills were built alongside the Canal, such as Damart’s Bowling Green Mill, in 1871.
From the second half of the 19th century, Leeds became the UK’s most important centre for the production of railway locomotives, with around 15 companies involved. Many Leeds-built locomotives were exported around the world like Fairy Queen, which was built in 1855 by Kitson, Thompson & Hewitson at the Airedale Foundry, Hunslet, for the East India Railway Company. In their 101 years of production, Kitsons’ alone produced c5400 locomotives.

From the second half of the 19th century, Leeds became the UK’s most important centre for the production of railway locomotives, with around 15 companies involved. Many Leeds-built locomotives were exported around the world like Fairy Queen, which was built in 1855 by Kitson, Thompson & Hewitson at the Airedale Foundry, Hunslet, for the East India Railway Company. In their 101 years of production, Kitsons’ alone produced c5400 locomotives.
In the 19th century railways spread across the UK, to carry goods and passengers, thereby boosting the national economy enormously. The railway companies significantly developed mechanical and structural engineering, and in constructing their routes they built many impressive structures. One such is the Ribblehead Viaduct, opened in 1874, on the Midland Railway’s Settle-Carlisle line, as part of its route to Scotland.

In the 19th century railways spread across the UK, to carry goods and passengers, thereby boosting the national economy enormously. The railway companies significantly developed mechanical and structural engineering, and in constructing their routes they built many impressive structures. One such is the Ribblehead Viaduct, opened in 1874, on the Midland Railway’s Settle-Carlisle line, as part of its route to Scotland.
Road transport also led to the building of innovative structures such as the transporter bridge, developed by Charles Smith of Hartlepool, of which less than two dozen have been built world-wide. The Tees Transporter Bridge, Middlesbrough, opened 1911. is one of three (originally four) remaining in the UK.

Road transport also led to the building of innovative structures such as the transporter bridge, developed by Charles Smith of Hartlepool, of which less than two dozen have been built world-wide. The Tees Transporter Bridge, Middlesbrough, opened 1911. is one of three (originally four) remaining in the UK.
By the latter part of the 18th century textiles were being produced on hand operated tools and machines, mainly in the workers’ own houses. The significant change came in 1780 when Low Mill in Keighley began preparing and spinning cotton yarn on machinery designed by Richard Arkwright. The mill was extended c1800 and later changed to producing worsteds.

By the latter part of the 18th century textiles were being produced on hand operated tools and machines, mainly in the workers’ own houses. The significant change came in 1780 when Low Mill in Keighley began preparing and spinning cotton yarn on machinery designed by Richard Arkwright. The mill was extended c1800 and later changed to producing worsteds.
From the 1780s the production of textiles – cottons, then worsteds, linens and later woollens – developed in the West Riding. By the end of the 19th century textiles were a major Yorkshire industry. Early mills, like Low Mill, were fairly small but as the scale of production increased ever larger mills were required. Titus Salt established his business just to the north of Bradford, at the purpose-built village, Saltaire, on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, for transport, and the river Aire, for water supply. His first mill was Salt’s Mill, 1853; as business grew he built New Mill, 1868, on the opposite side of the Canal.

From the 1780s the production of textiles – cottons, then worsteds, linens and later woollens – developed in the West Riding. By the end of the 19th century textiles were a major Yorkshire industry. Early mills, like Low Mill, were fairly small but as the scale of production increased ever larger mills were required. Titus Salt established his business just to the north of Bradford, at the purpose-built village, Saltaire, on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, for transport, and the river Aire, for water supply. His first mill was Salt’s Mill, 1853; as business grew he built New Mill, 1868, on the opposite side of the Canal.
Houses for workers were small, such as these nailmakers’ cottages at Silsden, c1780. 16 Model villages for workers, like Saltaire, or Akroyden and Copley built by Edward Akroyd in Halifax were grand by comparison.

Houses for workers were small, such as these nailmakers’ cottages at Silsden, c1780. 16 Model villages for workers, like Saltaire, or Akroyden and Copley built by Edward Akroyd in Halifax were grand by comparison.
With the growth of population in towns and cities and the increasing availability of goods and foodstuffs as a result of the railways market halls developed to provide traders with the facilities to sell their wares. They were protected from the weather, brought stalls into one location, provided refreshment and thus were attractive to the buying public. Construction of market halls increased greatly during the 19th century, peaking in the 1870s. Leeds City Markets, originally built in 1857, extended 1875 and largely replaced by the present buildings in 1904, are typically large and decorative.

With the growth of population in towns and cities and the increasing availability of goods and foodstuffs as a result of the railways market halls developed to provide traders with the facilities to sell their wares. They were protected from the weather, brought stalls into one location, provided refreshment and thus were attractive to the buying public. Construction of market halls increased greatly during the 19th century, peaking in the 1870s. Leeds City Markets, originally built in 1857, extended 1875 and largely replaced by the present buildings in 1904, are typically large and decorative.