Monument record 10828 - Flour Steam Mill

The earliest record of the steam mill dates to 1785 when a Boulton and Watt engine was ordered by Samuel Walker, George Walker and Hugh Ley of Chester. The mill is first recorded on Weston’s map of Chester, produced 1789, indicates the mill was a two compartment structure with an extension on the north side and a possible chimney. Originally built as a corn mill, it was converted into a cotton mill towards the end of the 18th century containing 3000 throstle spindles. In 1819 it became a flour mill. (3)

Drawings held by the Birmingham Library of the steam mill following the construction of the engine indicated the building was a four storey structure with a ground floor and attic floor and a powered sack hoisting winch, largely constructed of timber. By 1860 when a detailed conveyance plan of the site was drawn up the mill complex was far larger although the original mill house and engine house in the north east corner can still be seen along with additional warehouses, offices, boilers and yard spaces. (1)

The mill continued in use into the 20th century with the addition of two overhead walkways between the two sites.

The flour steam mill on Mill Street includes a warehouse and public house, rebuilt 1834 following a fire, with later 19th century and 20th century alterations. It is of English bond brick with stone sills and a Welsh slate roof. The building is rectangular with a complex massing of storage structures culminating in a substantial central silo with Romanesque style detailed. A prominent eastern flat topped rectangular town has a painted sign reading STEAM MILL formerly MILNS SEEDS. The interior was notable for a blown-air seed-transport system upward, and a gravity system downward, removed on conversion of warehouse to offices. (2)

The boiler house and engine house have since been demolished. It is of brown brick in irregular English garden wall bond with grey slate roofs. The building exhibits three phases of development, the middle wing facing Steam Mill Street appears to be the earliest part and incorporates what may be original cast iron columns and beams. The four storey north wing facing the Chester Canal is probably an early 19th century addition while later 19th century additions were added to the middle and south wings. The south wing has large timber beams on inserted riveted stanchions and a goods lift in a shaft dated 1898. (2)

The former offices of the flour steam mill were built 1897 of stone dressed hard red brick. The roof is grey slate, hipped at the south end with two parallel ridges. The front is of 4 bays with brick pilasters. (2)

Archaeological investigations at Steam Mill Street in 2001 encountered traces of a former boiler house belonging to the flour steam mill. The investigations recorded the remains of an iron tank and associated brick surfacing. Further evidence associated with the steam mill was encountered where a well laid cobbled floor was recorded immediately outside the boiler house. The surface comprised water worn cobbles set into a foundation layer. Patterns of wear were noticed in the cobbled surface suggesting prolonged periods of heavy use. Evidence of waterlogged deposits including timber and oats of a probable 18th century date were also encountered. (1)

Archaeological investigations at the Flour Steam Mill in 2005-2006 recorded the foundations of the former engine house adjacent to the old mill house (now Union Court). The engine house held the former 18th century Boulton and Watt engine. (4)

The foundations consisted of red brick with a concrete based mortar and to a large extent survived intact allowing for the identification of the entire structure. No trace of the machinery installed as part of the engine were recovered, however. (4)

<1> Castlering Archaeology, 2005, The Steam Mill, Steam Mill Street, Chester - Historic Building Recording, R2561 (Client Report). SCH4617.

<2> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 469711; 469917; 469918 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

<3> Chester Local History, 1996-Present, Chester Local History News, Spring 1996 (Newsletter). SCH4494.

<4> Castlering Archaeology, 2007, The Steam Mill, Steam Mill Street, Chester Archaeological Watching Brief, R2812 (Client Report). SCH5017.

<5> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2011, Notes on backlog reports from Earthworks Archaeological Service (Written Communication). SCH6558.