Monument record 8452/1/1 - Ironstone Quarries, east of High Street

An ironstone quarry lay the east of High Street and north of Hill Street and was worked in the late 19th century into the early 20th century.

{1}Owners from 1878 Raunds Iron & Limestone Quarries Co.Ltd and from 5th April 1882 East Northamptonshire Ironstone Co.Ltd until closure in 1883. The quarry itself was situated in Raunds to the east of High Street and north of Hill Street. It was connected by a tramway of nearly 2miles in length to the Midland Railway at Raunds Station on the Kettering to Cambridge line. The station itself being this distance from the town. The ore itself was of such poor quality because Raunds is right on the eastern limit of commercially workable ironstone. They went into liquidation in 1882 due to the problems of heavy capital investments and poor returns. The second company took over but were unable to make the quarry pay and it also folded.

{2}Ironstone quarring in Raunds - Pond's Close used to be refered to as "The Pits". A man who kept a pub was in charge of the workings - this is indicated in the 1881 Census Return lists - John Billingham of the Golden Fleece was the Foreman in the Iron Mine and a Licensed Vicualler. Ironstone quarring appears to have ceased in Raunds in the early 20th century.

<1> Tonks E., 1990, The Ironstone Quarries of The Midlands (History, Operation and Railways): The Wellingborough Area, p.218-21 (unchecked) (Book). SNN45742.

<2> ROBERTS P., 1998, CORRESPONDENCE, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN39827.

<3> Flitcroft M., 2011, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment: Land to the Rear of 10 & 12-14 Park Road, Raunds, Northamptonshire, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN107466.

Record last edited

May 10 2021 2:15PM