Building record 3656/8/2 - The Laurels, Walkers Acre

{1} The house is dated 1899 and the initials SW are embossed in a panel above the central doorway; it is assumed that this house was the home of the factory owner or manager.

{2} House with a date stone reading “S.W. AD 1899”. Neither the house (which stands to the rear of the same plot) nor the factory appear on the 1885 OS, but both are present on the 1900 map; this seems to suggest that they are contemporary and datable to 1899. The same initials appear on Crispin Cottages (1) to the south, which are dated 1895. It could therefore be postulated that a business which started as a small workshop concern developed into a factory-based operation.

<1> Ballinger, J., 2000, Shoe Factory, Old Road, Walgrave, (checked) (Note). SNN106775.

<2> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Walgrave site 2 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

Record last edited

Jul 22 2011 1:08PM