Jessie Fothergill 1851-1891
Novelist who captured the lives of working people in the local cotton mills in the 19th century. Lived for some years in a house near-by.
New England Furniture shop, Todmorden Road, Littleborough
Enid Stacy 1868-1903
International and local speaker and writer on the welfare of working people and women’s right to vote lived in Calderbrook Vicarage and worshipped at St. James with her husband the Reverend Percy Wildrington.
St James Church, Calderbrook Road (right gatepost)
Royal Oak Blue Plaque Royal Oak Blue Plaque is now “Black” for some reason? Royal Oak P.H. Late 18th century. An original posting inn with stables and large land holdings, used by the famous dialect writer Tim Bobbin as the base of his work “a view of the Lancashire Dialect”. G. Stephenson, the railway engineer,…
Littleborough Toll House Blue Plaque Toll House C. 1824 Summary of tolls on the Blackstone Edge Turnpike Road from the Act of 1735. The Toll prices were displayed on a board above the door. Every drove of calves, hogs, sheep or lamb 5d Every drove of dren or neat cattle per score 10d Every coach,…
The Falcon Inn Blue Plaque The Falcon Inn P.H, 18-20 Church Street, Littleborough Early 19th Century From 1657 the inn and the farm covered land down to the river. The building became a Coaching Inn in the early nineteenth century. At this time the main activities took place in the square at the rear where…
The Duke of Wellington Hotel Blue Plaque The Duke of Wellington Hotel (former) Grade II Listed C.1750 Originally a wealthy wool merchant’s residence, this building became the Duke of Wellington Hotel in 1810, and was the leading coach house in Rochdale for many years. In front of this hotel, the “Speaker’s Corner” hosted a crowd…
Town Hall 1871-87
Grade I Listed Building
Following a disastrous fire in 1883 the tower was rebuilt in 1887 to designs by A. Waterhouse.
Nationally acclaimed as an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture.
The Esplanade, Rochdale
John Bright Blue Plaque John Bright 1811-89 John Bright 19th century social reformer and politician is buried here in this Society of Friends burial ground. He is mainly remembered for his association with Richard Cobden in forming the Anti-Corn Law League. Wall of the “Society of Friends” (Quaker’s) Burial Ground, George Street/Ball Street, Rochdale Alison…
Butterworth Jewellers Blue Plaque Butterworth Jewellers 1896 Since 1903, this property has been occupied by Butterworth Jewellers, which is the longest established family-run business within the town centre. 14 Drake Street, Rochdale Lisa Lee My Dad bought my nurses buckle from that jewellers when I qualified in 1991 Angeline Teale Butterworths jewellers, my grandmother, took…
The Roebuck Blue Plaque The Roebuck Public House C. 1814 The first Roebuck Public House was built in 1660 on the Old Market Place and moved in 1783 to the ‘New Wall (now No 5 South Parade). During that time it was a key stop for horse-drawn coach and mail services throughout the north of England.…
Fashion Corner Blue Plaque Fashion Corner 1922 In 1922, this building was opened as the drapery emporium of the Rochdale Pioneers – the Fashion Corner of Rochdale. Sold to Rochdale Council in 1983, it became the ‘Project House’ then ‘ Poll Tax House’. It was renamed ‘Fashion Corner’ by the Council in 1995 – to commemorate…
Kenion Street Music Building Blue Plaque Kenion Street Music Building, Cargo Studios (first floor) 1977-84 Tractor Music (ground floor) 1977-83 Suite 16 Studios 1984-2001(both floors) From 1977 onwards this building saw an endless stream of bands from Manchester, Liverpool and from all over the British Isles, pass through its doorways as it became the place for groups…