Littleborough from Cleggswood Hill
LITTLEBOROUGH's MAIN SITES OF CHEMICAL WORKS
Chemical Works in Dean Head, Summit & Steanor Bottom
There were many in the area over the years but they operated from 4 main sites:
Deanhead, Summit
The earliest known was Hamer Crosslet in 1861 and the last was Deanhead Chemical Company in 1883. From around 1907 Deanhead Chemical Co operated from Paragon Works
Red Lees Chemical Works
It was operated by the Michael Uttley company from 1853 until 1990 and then by Blagdon until 2000, becoming a waggon/truck park/Caravan Storage site
Long Lees or Summit Chemical Works
Located next to the Rochdale Canal, it was originally a Woollen Mill before being bought by Sutcliffe and Fielden in 1866. Fielden’s owned it 1869 - 1873 but for a long time it was operated by Crabtree & Cryer until 1933 pictured right at bottom of picture centre left
Walsden - back of Bird in Hand (pub)
J & W Crabtree were here between 1854 & 1879 with Henry Ellinson from 1880 - 1882 just off picture bottom right
Dearnley Chemical Company
The company was set up by Kershaw and Fletcher in 1862. Whilst the partnership was eventually dissolved the Chemical Works continued but was subsequently described in Trade Directories as ‘Oil Distillery’. Little is known about the works and its processes etc but it is believed that it processed either plant based materials or solid waste from the local sewage works to extract oil etc which was put into oak casks and sent to Lever Brothers at Port Sunlight for making into soap. The oil works ceased to function around the time of the Second World War and the buildings were eventually demolished in the 1950s. The site remained empty for some time but was later turned over to housing
Smithy Bridge and Lane Side
Around Smithy Bridge Station and Level Crossing was another location for Chemical Works. In 1873 two companies were recorded, James Kershaw of Eafield Oil Works and James Fetcher and Bros, Eafield, Oil Merchants and Refiners. Between 1879 & 1889 Alfred Crossley Chemicals was recorded as at Eafield and James Fletcher and Sons was again mentioned in an 1890 Trade Directory. In 1879 and 1888 Robert Duxbury, Dry Soap was recorded at Lane Side. Where each companies was located is unclear but Ordnance Survey Maps show Candle Works at Eafield between 1930 and mid-1950s. east along the canal was Paragon Works where Deanhead Chemical were located having vacated Summit;