Monument record 977/1 - Rocksalt Refinery, Frodsham

<1> Thomspon, P, 1980, Frodsham: The Archaeological Potential of a Town, p.7 (Report). SCH1251.

A works for refining rock salt was set up on the west bank of the Weaver following the discovery of rock salt at Marbury, near Northwich in 1670.

<2> Barker, T. C., 1951, Lancashire coal, Cheshire salt and the rise of Liverpool, p.86 (Article in Journal). SCH8044.

A works for the refining of rock-salt was apparently in being before 1694 at Frodsham, as the company was ready to declare a dividend in 1695.
(A small-scale plan indicates that the refinery was situated in the area of Frodsham Bridge.)

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ57NW15 (Index). SCH2487.

On 16/06/64 the site of the saltworks was visited by T.P.Waggott, a field investigator working for the Ordnance Survey, his comment was as follows. 'The area is now a rubbish dump and no trace of the salt works remains.'

<4> Cheshire County Council, 1992-1995, Cheshire Past, Vol 1/1992 p.22 (Newsletter). SCH870.

By 1772, a saltworks was operating near Saltworks Farm at Frodsham Bridge, presumably on the same site as the earlier refinery. This is shown on the Cholmondeley Estate map of 1778. In 1792 the works was producing 6-7,000 tons of refined rock salt per annum. Sailing flats transported coal from south Lancashire and rock salt from Northwich to Frodsham. Improvements in the River Weaver made it possible to transport coal to the salt field, so the works at Frodsham became redundant. In 1879 they were described as Glue Works, which survived until c.1923, when site became derelict.
Excavation by Frodsham Local History Group in July 1990 uncovered remains of the former saltworks. A trench 66m long x 1m wide was opened parallel to the quay wall. It revealed wooden sleepers and a brick-paved area, also curved brick channels lined with pitch and the corner of a building interpreted as a forge or smithy. Other features on site include an arched underground brick structure and a large circular structure shown on maps of 1778 & 1874. Many of the excavated features relate to the 19th century use of the site as glue works.

<5> Cheshire County Council, 1974, County Treasures Record, 4/IA.034 & 35 (Index). SCH1000.

<6> Chester Archaeology, 1993, Saltworks Farm, Frodsham: Desk-based Assessment, September 1993, R2052, p.16-17 (Client Report). SCH4139.

A desk-based assessment was undertaken at Saltworks Farm Frodsham in 1993 in advance of its development for residential purposes. Although none of the original post medieval salt refinery and associated buildings survive, wall foundations and underground chambers were recorded.

<7> Gifford and Partners, 1999, Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at Saltworks Farm Development Phases 2 and 3, Frodsham, Cheshire., R2118 (Client Report). SCH4092.

A watching brief was undertaken in 1999 to monitor ground disturbance works associated with the housing development at Saltworks Farm, this work followed on from the 1993 desk-based assessment (see 6). The excavation of a service trench was monitored as part of the Phase 2 development, within this a section of brick and mortar wall on a sandstone footing was recorded. This appears to date to the 19th century and although it lies in the area of the former saltworks, the date suggests that it may have formed part of the post-saltworks use of the site.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1881-2, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 6 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2474.

[SJ 52727879] Salt Works (Disused)