Monument record 2606/2 - Dane Mills (Higher Works/ Dane wood Mills)

Built by Charles Roe, of Macclesfield in 1766, to process copper ore (1). The site included a rolling mill, and 4 battery mills, powered by 5 large waterwheels (2). After 1802, the site became a textile mill, still powered by the multiple wheels (3). The mill was later converted to 2 corn mills and joinery, and by 1855 was occupied by a silk throwster and 3 cornmills (4). The corn was ground by Francis Rathbone Thompstone, until 1933. The site was then (and still is) used to mill sawdust for the plastics industry (2). Although much of the site has been extensively modernised, there are still some older buildings, including a row of 6 2-storey, stone built workers' cottages, and a row of 4 3-storey brick cottages (5).
Dane Mills. Higher Works or Danewood Mills. Extensive corn-mill site used by Charles Roe for copper rolling in 18th century. In 19th century two corn mill, joinery and, at one time cotton mill and silk throwing. Corn mill until c. 1933. Now occupied by Wood Treatment. Mostly recent buildings, but some older, including some workers cottages: one row to two-storey stone-built, one row of six two-storey brick-built (6).
The industry established in this area was the last of the producers of brass in the 18th century, and evolved from earlier copper smelting. The smelting works in Macclesfield used local coal, and copper ores originally came from nearby Alderley Edge, from Coniston in the Lake District and also from Ecton Hill in Staffordshire. The early brass manufacturing site was constructed as an industrial village on the River Dane at Eaton, just north of Congleton (7). Dane Mills. Higher Works or Danewood Mills. Extensive corn-mill site used by Charles Roe for copper rolling in 18th century. In 19th century two corn mill, joinery and, at one time cotton mill and silk throwing. Corn mill until c. 1933. Now occupied by Wood Treatment. Mostly recent buildings, but some older, including some workers cottages: one row to two-storey stone-built, one row of six two-storey brick-built. The terrace is of possible merit for listing (8).

<1> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 62/52-86 Chaloner W H 1953 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<2> Longden G, 1988, The Industrial Revolution in East Cheshire: Six Theme Walks, /44 (Book). SCH3193.

<3> Calladine A & Fricker J, 1993, East Cheshire Textile Mills, /99 (Y) (Book). SCH1093.

<4> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 75-6/33-71 Norris J H 1968 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<5> Ashmore, O, 1982, The Industrial Archaeology of North West England, /31 (Book). SCH3181.

<6> Ashmore, O, 1982, The Industrial Archaeology of North West England, p.31 (Book). SCH3181.

<7> Day, J, 1992, Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment: The Brass Industry Step 1 Report, appendix 1 (Report). SCH4339.

<8> Cranstone, D, 1993, Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment: The Brass Industry Step 3 Report (Report). SCH4338.