Re-erecting Jackson Street Mills, Manchester

The first mill fronted on Jackson Street and was bounded on the northern and eastern sides by a meander in the River Medlock, which bent sharply round the site. The building is shown on Bancks's 1832 map (surveyed 1831 as 'Barnes Cotton Mill'.  Newspaper reports indicate that the mill was operated by Thomas and Robert Barnes by 1827. The mill was rebuilt and extended in the 1860s, architects Stott and Sons, Oldham (qv). On 13 July 1901 the mill was destroyed by fire. There were several casualties including two fatalities. Potts Som and Hennings were appointed architects for the rebuilding.

TO CONTRACTORS - Persons desirous of Tendering for the various works required s (Steel and Ironwork excepted) for the Re-erection of the Jackson Street Mills, for The Fine Cotton Spinners' Association Limited, are requested to send in their names to the Architects on or before Friday next.  Potts son and Hennings, 34 Victoria Buildings, Manchester. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. [Manchester Courier - Saturday 8 February 1902 page 10]

JACKSON-STREET MILL - The Jackson-street Spinning Co., whose mill was burnt down about two years ago, have now completed their new structure. The main body of the mill, which is seven storeys high, is completed, and machinery is being put in. Seven pairs of mules are ready for spinning. The cardroom machinery is also in a forward state. It is expected that spinning will be commenced in a few weeks. Forty-two pairs of mules for spinning fine yarns will be put in. The firm are included in the Fine Spinners' Combine. [Cotton Factory Times, 7 August 1903 page 6]

The mill had closed by 1955. It was then incorporated into the former UMIST campus and in the 1960s H. S. Fairhurst and Sons converted and extended it to provide facilities for Chemical, Civil and Mechanical Engineering, as well as the Chemistry Department. In 1966 students from the Manchester University School of Architecture attended lectures on structural engineering in this building.

Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 8 February 1902 Page 4 - contracts
Reference    Building News 14 February 1902 Page 257 – contracts
Reference    Manchester Courier - Saturday 8 February 1902 page 10
Reference    Cotton Factory Times, 7 August 1903 page 6]
Archive        Science Museum MS/0631/130. Cross section through mill