converse1
02-03-2012, 04:59 PM
Providence Mills. Goitside. Bradford Feb 2012
Goitside is one of the oldest industrial parts of the city. Here's a bit of history from http://www.goitside.org.uk/
The Goitside area of Bradford is important locally being the first area of the city to become industrialised. This process formed the basis of the city’s wealth, influence and prestige during the 19th century.
The Goit, an artificial water channel that runs through the area, is the most noteworthy element of the conservation area. Its placement suggests that, in origin at least, it is a medieval goit. The Goit is thought to have redirected water from Bradford Beck to power medieval corn mills once situated in the area. It stands as evidence of early engineering practices and re-instates the importance of water in the development of Bradford.
Holme Mill, the first factory in Bradford, was built alongside the Goit, on a meadow known as the Holme, at the turn of the 18th / 19th century. Following this a number of additional mills, factories and foundries, along with the associated residential properties, were constructed in the vicinity. The area continued to develop along these lines through the first half of the 19th century as Bradford became a leading city in the Industrial Revolution and secured its position as Wool Capital of the World.
A survey of 1852 establish Goitside as the industrial hub of the city but such rapid increase in Bradford’s development and population meant living conditions in many parts were squalid and Bradford was describe as the dirtiest place in the country.
This map from 1893 show's the mill site, what's remarkable is that most of the road network is still the same today! What's also really interesting is the thoroughfare Goitside itself, I thought it was a small road near the new carpark, I didn't realise that it continued all the way along to Grattan Rd between Thornton Rd and Sunbridge Rd!
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/Goitside-1893.jpg
I'll come back to Goitside in a bit, first here's the mill:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00013.jpg
Not a big flashy job but a functional fit for pourpose vernacular building, A lot of the mill has gone (the bit at the top of Soho Street).
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00014.jpg
Nice rain hoppers!
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09994.jpg
Inside the weaving shed is well, err.... knackered!
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09988.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09989.jpg
Going up!
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09987.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09980.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09982.jpg
Looking out....
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09984.jpg
Nice window detail.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09986.jpg
Back outside and a look along goitside, you can see the huge stones covering the goit:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00012.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00005.jpg
Eventually you come out at Edward Fosters, (A working mill).
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00003.jpg
This is the view looking back:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00004.jpg
Thanks for looking, Goitside is a very interesting place and well worth a wander around. :thumb
Goitside is one of the oldest industrial parts of the city. Here's a bit of history from http://www.goitside.org.uk/
The Goitside area of Bradford is important locally being the first area of the city to become industrialised. This process formed the basis of the city’s wealth, influence and prestige during the 19th century.
The Goit, an artificial water channel that runs through the area, is the most noteworthy element of the conservation area. Its placement suggests that, in origin at least, it is a medieval goit. The Goit is thought to have redirected water from Bradford Beck to power medieval corn mills once situated in the area. It stands as evidence of early engineering practices and re-instates the importance of water in the development of Bradford.
Holme Mill, the first factory in Bradford, was built alongside the Goit, on a meadow known as the Holme, at the turn of the 18th / 19th century. Following this a number of additional mills, factories and foundries, along with the associated residential properties, were constructed in the vicinity. The area continued to develop along these lines through the first half of the 19th century as Bradford became a leading city in the Industrial Revolution and secured its position as Wool Capital of the World.
A survey of 1852 establish Goitside as the industrial hub of the city but such rapid increase in Bradford’s development and population meant living conditions in many parts were squalid and Bradford was describe as the dirtiest place in the country.
This map from 1893 show's the mill site, what's remarkable is that most of the road network is still the same today! What's also really interesting is the thoroughfare Goitside itself, I thought it was a small road near the new carpark, I didn't realise that it continued all the way along to Grattan Rd between Thornton Rd and Sunbridge Rd!
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/Goitside-1893.jpg
I'll come back to Goitside in a bit, first here's the mill:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00013.jpg
Not a big flashy job but a functional fit for pourpose vernacular building, A lot of the mill has gone (the bit at the top of Soho Street).
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00014.jpg
Nice rain hoppers!
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09994.jpg
Inside the weaving shed is well, err.... knackered!
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09988.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09989.jpg
Going up!
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09987.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09980.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09982.jpg
Looking out....
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09984.jpg
Nice window detail.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC09986.jpg
Back outside and a look along goitside, you can see the huge stones covering the goit:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00012.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00005.jpg
Eventually you come out at Edward Fosters, (A working mill).
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00003.jpg
This is the view looking back:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/converse1_photos/Providence%20Mills%20and%20Goitside/DSC00004.jpg
Thanks for looking, Goitside is a very interesting place and well worth a wander around. :thumb