The Silk Mills, Galgate

 United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Lancaster

---

Galgate Mill, a Grade II listed building, was the first mechanical silk-spinning mill in the England. The first silk mill, originally known as Bridgend Watermill, established in 1792 on the west side of Chapel Lane, when a water-powered corn mill was converted by the partnership of Armstrong, Noble and Thompson, who spun waste silk using throstles. In 1832 main factory block was extended to three-storeys high, constructed of stone.The second silk mill in the village was Galgate Low Mill, which had been established by 1801. This occupied a site on Salford Road in the centre of the village, on the west bank of the River Conder. In June 1851, the foundation stone for the latest Galgate Silk Mill was laid by the contracted builders, Messrs Cooper and Tullis of Preston, as the site to the west side of Chapel Lane was developed for the five-storey Galgate Silk Mill.The mill was electrified in 1925 and continued to spin silk until 1971 when it was closed.