Called Whittaker Mill because it was owned By L Whittaker & Co when it ceased work in 1978, although it was Built By the G Turner, of yesterdays post. The arch way on the right is where yesterday's photo was taken. The Mill extends by another 6 windows on the left.
It is thought that the mill was driven by water initially then steam as there is a chimney, connected to the mill, across the road, the tunnel goes over the river and under the road and the houses and up to the top of the hill. It was cheaper to build it there that to build a taller chimney at the mill in the valley bottom. The steam engine is no longer there and there are no records about it, although the engine bed can still be seen and the building that housed it has been demolished.
The mill was destroyed by fire in 1857 and then quickly rebuilt. There are three tunnels under the mill one is to take the water back to the river from the water wheel of Higher Mill which is behind it. the other two are redundant tail races for other water wheels now gone. The River Ogden also runs under the mill.
It's too bad it's such a grey day as a bit of color in the sky would have been welcome. Amazing what they can tell about a place even though buildings are no longer even there. I'm assuming it was a flour mill as so many were destroyed by fire back then. The flour that hangs in the air simply goes WHOOSH and the fire spreads so quickly. Lovely buildings and fun to read the stories. :-)
ReplyDeleteMaggie - Eurydice
Is that pathway to the right she one you shot from yesterday? Cool to see things from a different spot, and it's interesting to read the (hist)story to each shot.
ReplyDeleteI like how there's so many little windows. Makes for a more interesting building I think.
ReplyDelete