From the Industrial Revolution until the 20th century, Oldham was a major centre of textile manufacture, particularly cotton spinning. During this period, the valleys of the River Beal, River Irk, River Medlock and their tributaries were dominated by large rectangular brick-built factories, many of which still remain today as warehouses or converted for residential or retail use.
Notes: 5 storey iron frame and brick, 18 bays by 6 bays, with internal engine house with and upright shaft transmission; but external boiler house 1891 Anchor Spinning Co Limited, 53,136 spindles, 201/50, twist, 308/701 weft Grade II listed building.No. 1282545
Asia Mill
Clayton Street, Hollinwood
Notes: Acquired by Fine Spinners and Doublers in 1954.[6]
Athens Mill
Lees Brook SD9504
1905
>1982
Notes: Built 1905, suffered fire damage early 1980s and demolished several years later
Bank Top Mill
Salem
Notes: Now housing
Belgrave
Potts, Pickup and Dixon
Hathershaw
1885
Standing
127
Notes: Prominent in the history of Bagley & Wright, used for sewing cotton. Later owned by Platt & Hill. The company bought land off Honeywell Lane, Oldham and erected Belgrave Mill in 1880s which subsequently became known as 'Belgrave Number 1 Mill' as a further three mills were erected on the site in the early part of the 20th century. Yarn produced at the Belgrave Number 1 Mill was bleached or dyed in an on-site facility. Belgrave No. 1 was designed by the architects Potts, Pickup and Dixon. Engine by Woolstenhulmes & Rye.[7]
Bell
Claremont St, Oldham
1904
Standing
120
Notes: 1904 Bell Mill Co Ltd 1957 Ceased production
Broadway Mill
Joseph Stott
Goddard St & Scottfield Rd
1875
1964
89
Notes: Enlarged 1890 and 1896, production ceased in March 1936; it was later used as a warehouse. Burned on 28 March 1964 (Easter Saturday). Goddard St wall was demolished on Easter Sunday by Connell & Finnegan to prevent it falling outward onto the street and houses. The remainder was demolished over the following weeks. The northwest corner tower was demolished with explosives. The first charge was inadequate and a second charge had to be used. The chimney was the last structure to be demolished. The lodge (cooling water pond) was un-fenced and at least one person drowned in it. In the early 1960s the police and fire brigade used boats from nearby Alexandra Park in the search for a missing boy; the body of a teen age boy was recovered.[8]
Notes: Extended in 1884, 1914 and 1922. 1891-Coldhurst Cotton Spinning Co, Limited, Coldhurst Mill, Rochdale road; 61,308 spindles, 508 twist,701 weft. Closed in 1962 but was used to store goods until 1967. After being left empty it was demolished in 1974 to make way for extensions to Boundary Park Hospital.[9]
Cromford Mill
Derker
Derker Mills
Derker
Notes: 1891-James Greaves, (and velvet manufacturer), Derker Mills, Derker Street; 107,000 spindles, medium counts; 1,590 looms. Replaced with industrial units for Glyn Webb/Ferranti.
Devon Mill
George Stott
Hollins
1908
Standing
116
Notes: Cast-iron and steel-framed with brick walls. 4 storeys and basement, 36 bays by 10 with corner stair towers with raised parapets. Flat roof. Grade II listed building.No. 1210051
Notes: Built 1907 by the Hartford Mill (Oldham)Co Ltd. Extended 1920 and 1924. Closed 1959 and used by Littlewoods as a mail order warehouse until 1992. Architect was F.W.Dixon, there were 120,000 spindles and power was provided by a very impressive 1500 hp Urmson & Thompson engine. Demolished for Housing Market Renewal Grade II listed building.No. 1210026
Heron
Hollins
Standing
Notes: Ceased production 1960
Holroyd Mill
Waterhead
Notes: Replaced by Orb Mill
Holyrood Mill
Higginshaw
1961
Notes: Fire in 1961
Honeywell Mill
Hathershaw
1874
1955
81
Notes: Fire in 1955
Iris Mill
Hathershaw
1907
117
Notes: Closed 1962, later used by Thomas Glover and Co to manufacture fire extinguishers.
K–O
Name
Architect
Location
Built
Demolished
Served (Years)
Leesbrook
Stott
Lees
1884
Standing
140
Notes: Cast-iron columns and steel beams carrying brick arches, externally, brick with multi-ridge slate roof four storeys and basement of 21 bays extended by four bays. Grade II listed building.No. 1253536
Notes: Was built as an addition to the existing Maple Mill in 1915. The building was destroyed by fire in 2009.[12] Some sections, including the tower remain standing.[13]
Notes: The four tall arched windows mark the engine house that contained a J & E Wood inverted vertical triple expansion engine. The open doors in front mark the boiler house that contained a row of Lancashire boilers. It ceased production 1981. It was demolished in 2015 to make way for a housing scheme.[15]
Notes: Extended twice — in 1882 and 1920. Was used for a wallpapering business which left the building in 2006. Refurbished in 2008 as the Chambers Business Centre [16]