| Abstract: |
In late summer and autumn 2001, English Heritage carried out archaeological survey and investigation at the site of the former Elterwater Gunpowder Works. The survey was undertaken as part of a wider thematic project investigating gunpowder manufactories across the whole of Cumbria as the logical progression to EH's Monuments Protection Programme's Step 3 and Step 4 reports for the gunpowder industry nationally. The works at Elterwater was one of seven powder manufactories which operated in the historic counties of Westmorland and the Furness area of Lancashire at various times between c1764 and 1936. The Elterwater works was the third of the Cumbrian blackpowder sites to appear in this EH report series. Field survey was carried out to Level 3 standard, backed up by less intensive documentary research confined to readily available published sources and limited search for historic archive material. The works was established in 1824 by David Huddleston, a retired banker, in conjunction with a number of partners, on the site of earlier water-powered corn and fulling mills, and was the third gunpowder works to be built in Cumbria. Initially, the factory comprised only a single incorporating mill, but it prospered and quickly expanded with additional mills, corning house, glazing houses and other buildings added before 1840. It traded under a variety of names, but for most of its life was known at the Elterwater Gunpowder Company (after 1866 the Elterwater Gunpowder Co Ltd). The factory continued to prosper and expand, until by the time it closed in 1930, the main site covered a roughly triangular area of c.9.1ha, with a number of 'danger' buildings located on a small divorced sub-site ('Cylinder Hill') on the valley side to the north. In the early years, transport of raw materials and finished gunpowder was by water between the port of Greenodd at the mouth of the River Leven, and Pull Wyke Staithe on the shores of Windermere, and by horse and cart between there and the factory. But after 1846, the carts (in the early 20th century supplemented by specially adapted motorised vans) ran instead between the works and the railhead in Windermere town. Use was also apparently made of the railhead at nearby Coniston, but since this branch connected into the Furness railway and not the main London line, such use seemed to have been only small-scale and occasional. No investigation of the archaeology of these transport routes was made for the present report, although limited discussion of some of the documentary evidence was included. At closure, the danger buildings such as the incorporating mills, corning house, glazing house and magazines were burned down as required by law because of the danger of gunpowder residues. Shortly afterwards, the main site was purchased and converted into a holiday centre. Several of the standing buildings were retained and converted into hotel/hostel accommodation, whilst the millponds were utilised as swimming lakes, etc. But otherwise for over 50 years many of the ruined structures on site remained neglected and untouched. Since 1981, the pace of change had accelerated markedly. The former owners were bought out by the Langdale Partnership, and the site transformed into a time ownership, hotel and country club complex, with much newbuild development. In consequence, although the site was evaluated by EH at Step 3 of the MPP process, it was not recommended for statutory protection at Step 4. The Cylinder Hill sub-site on the other hand became a private residence and garden in 1930. Between 1946-8 one of the buildings was reused as a studio ('Merzbarn') by the Gernam Nazi-refugee artist, Kurt Schwitters, who created a mural on one wall. Mural and wall were both removed to Newcastle University's Hatton Art Gallery in 1965. [Au(adp)] |
| Note: |
Date Of Issue From:
2003
Date Of Coverage From:
01
Date Of Coverage To:
01
Editorial Expansion:
Site name: ELTERWATER GUNPOWDER WORKS
Study area:
Investigation type: Post-determination/Research
District: South Lakeland
Monument: BUILDING. Post-medieval (1540-1901), WATCH HOUSE. Post-medieval (1540-1901), SLUICE. Post-medieval (1540-1901), MILL. Post-medieval (1540-1901), BOILER HOUSE. Post-medieval (1540-1901), WHEEL PIT. Post-medieval (1540-1901), REVETMENT. Post-medieval (1540-
Ngr: NY32600490
Parish: Lakes
Postcode: LA229JA
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