The Silk Mills, Galgate

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iBase ID

227363

Reference identifier

NLA29092008006

Title

The Silk Mills, Galgate

Place

Galgate

General notes

Galgate Mill, a Grade II listed building, was the first mechanical silk-spinning mill in the England*.
The first silk mill, originally known as Bridgend Watermill, established in 1792 on the west side of Chapel Lane, when a water-powered corn mill was converted by the
partnership of Armstrong, Noble and Thompson, who spun waste silk using
throstles. In 1832 main factory block was extended to three-storeys high, constructed of stone.
The second silk mill in the village was Galgate Low Mill, which had been
established by 1801. This occupied a site on Salford Road in the centre of the
village, on the west bank of the River Conder.
In June 1851, the foundation stone for the latest Galgate Silk Mill was laid
by the contracted builders, Messrs Cooper and Tullis of Preston, as the site to the west side of Chapel Lane was developed for the five-storey Galgate Silk Mill.
The mill was electrified in 1925 and continued to spin silk until 1971 when it was closed. At that time also being the last mill to be producing silk in England.

(*Ashmore, O, 1969 - The Industrial Archaeology of Lancashire)

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