Description and History of Site:-
Founded by Abraham Rhodes in 1810, the complex was converted to student accommodation in 2004-7 which included the construction of a number of additional buildings. Of the early buildings three ranges including the modest entrance block, and two five storey wings of the 1820 remain. The two large wings form an acute 'L' shaped block. The south wing, which is of fire proof construction, made use of early parabolic cast iron beams and joists.Ward noted that the site had been built by Abraham Rhodes, of the dyeing and cloth merchant family, on land adjacent to Meanwood Beck at Woodhouse in 1810, and by 1815 it was one of the largest factories in Leeds, having been insured in 1813 for £21,500.This may have been built on the site of either Dunderdale's woollen mill or Blakeborough & Co's cotton factory which were observed at Woodhouse and Buslingthorpe in 1797.In 1818 Rhodes bought a further three closes of land from Pease and others, and in 1825 he bought land and a dyehouse occupied by Robert Eastburn, dyer and stover. This was on the other side of Buslingthorpe Lane. He also bought another close of land near Woodhouse Ridge from Henry Teal. By this time the mill was using the power from a 45 h.p. steam engine by Sturges & Co., and was one of the largest worsted mills in Leeds. In 1832 it employed 235 workers, two-thirds of them male, which indicates that it was not just a spinning mill, but had weaving also. About 1830 the mills had been leased to T. Clapham & Sons, worsted manufacturers, who remained in occupation until 1845 when they were offered for sale. The principal buildings were a mill for worsted spinning and power loom weaving, and a stone-built building used for cloth manufacture, There was a 40 h.p. engine. From 1846 until c. 1855 the mills were occupied by Foster, Fletcher & Co., cloth finishers, and thereafter they were tenanted by many firms.In 1861 these were Wright & Bailes, finishers, Wither & Wood, millers, Jackson & Co., cloth manufacturers. In 1867 the occupants, with numbers of work people were:- Wright & Bailes (50), B.Wood (3), J.Clarkeson, dyer, (3), G.Dixon, dyer, (10). Another attempt was made to sell the mills in 1867, when they were described as a woollen factory, a cloth mill, a dressing mill, and two dyehouses.In 1872 there were 3 woollen manufacturers, 1 cloth finisher, and 1 dyer in occupation, and the mills remained predominantly in use by textile firms until after the turn of the century when there were also a chemicals manufacturer and a fellmonger.
Further Reading and References:-
Ward M. F., Industrial development and location in Leeds north of the River Aire, 1775-1914. PhD thesis, University of Leeds, 1972.
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Key Words :- watermill worsted spinning weaving dyehouse student accommodation
Viewing the Site :- No public access no student accommodation
Address :- Meanwood Road, Sheepscar, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2DD
Grid Ref :- SE 3001 3561
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.815911 , Long -1.545681
Local Authority :- Leeds Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1255761,
Site Condition :- Site refurbished to residential housing
Site Dates :- 1810 -
Contributor :- John Suter - 10 December 2015
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © John Suter
Grid Ref :- SE 3001 3561
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.815911 , Long -1.545681
Local Authority :- Leeds Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1255761,
Site Condition :- Site refurbished to residential housing
Site Dates :- 1810 -
Contributor :- John Suter - 10 December 2015
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © John Suter