Monument record 8394/1 - Gayton Quarries (Hickman)

{1} Quarry first owned by John Hickman & work commenced on site in 1853 as main line connection to LNWR was in use then; from 1858 site was worked in conjunction with Pell & Co of Heyford until such time as Hickman moved out & Pell moved in; output in 1858 shows 75000 tons to Pell & Co. & 3395 tons to Hickman; name changed to Heyford Iron Co.Ltd. From March 1874 but was probably still owned by Pell; opencast pits were disposed along valley side between villages of Gayton & Blisworth with tramway connection to standard guage terminus; first pits were abandoned in 1883 but later on concentrated on an area east of old SMJ (Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Line) railway & both north & south of Gayton to Blisworth road; quarry was closed sometime before 1899 but reopened by R.B.Sparrow in 1900 & worked until 1921 when outcropping ironstone was practically exhausted.

<1> Tonks E., 1989, The Ironstone Quarries of The Midlands (History, Operation and Railways): The Northampton Area, p.31-38 (unchecked) (Book). SNN47272.

Record last edited

Apr 29 2009 5:46PM