44 Cottages, Eagley Bank, Bolton

In 1792 a water powered mill was established on the bank of the Eagley Brook by William Longshaw of Sharples on land leased from the Earl of Wilton of Heaton Park and close to the original Bolton to Blackburn Road. After a number of tenants, the mill was purchased by James and Robert Chadwick then of Eccles. With financial backing from the Philips family. The enterprise proved highly successful and continued to grow throughout the nineteenth century. By 1850 it was estimated that in the smallwares, sewing cotton production, bleaching and dyeing totalled 1,130 men, women, girls and boys. Early mills could only be established where a plentiful water supply was readily available to power the machinery. As a result, early mills were frequently found in sparcely populated semi-rural moorland districts. Mill owners sought to attract the necessary workforce to such sites, and to the north of Bolton a number of “model” industrial settlements were built with this aim, including Bank Top and Egerton by the Ashworth Brothers.

James Chadwick probably began the development of Eagley in the 1830s with housing on School Street Papermill Street, and Hough Lane. A school was opened on Hough Lane. In 1852 it was replaced by a new building (Whittaker and Woodhouse) further extended in 1870. This contained a library and reading room. About 1850 a further phase of development too place on land above the valley floor to the west of the mills. Six managers' houses were built in 1850; three years later a further 12 were erected. In 1854 an additional 44 followed designed by Miles Thompson under the style of Thompson and Webster.  

TO BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS—TO BE LET by Ticket, the BUILDING AN FINISHING of FORTY-FOUR COTTAGES etc. at Eagley Bank, near Bolton-le-Moors for Messrs James Chadwick and Brother. With a view of expediating the same and to suit contractors, it is proposed to divide the same into four lots (but parties are not prohibited from contracting for more than one lot) as follow, viz.

Lot 1 will consist of the Shop and Three Superior Cottages, numbered from 1 to 4 inclusive.

Lot 2 will consist of Four Cottages, numbered from 5 to 8 inclusive

Lot 3 will consist of 18 Cottages. numbered from 9 to 26 inclusive.

Lot 4 will consist of One Shop and 17 Cottages, numbered from 27 to 44 inclusive.

Tenders will be required for the masons' work and walling; the carpenter and joiners' work; the slating; the plumbing, glazing, and painting; and the plastering. Plans and specifications for the different departments of the work may be seen by applying at the office of Messrs THOMPSON AND WEBSTER, architects, Kendal. from Monday the 30th inst. till Saturday the 4th of February, and upon application to Mr. Nutter, the clerk of the works, upon the premises at Eagley from Monday the 6th of February until Wednesday the 16th  of February, who will also receive sealed tenders ; and the contractors will be declared the following day.—lt proposed to let each department of the work separately, and the proprietors do not bind themselves to accept the lowest tenders.  - Kendal January 25th, 1854. [Manchester Guardian 4 February 1854 Page 11]

These cottages on Park Row, Plaiyfair Street and Eagley Bank were the only works by Miles Thompson in Greater Manchester. 6-10 and 12A Park Row, Nos.32 and 34 Park Row, and Playfair Street are listed Grade II