Bedlam Furnace, Waterloo Street, Ironbridge, Shropshire

Photograph taken 1945 - 1980 © Historic England Archive ref: AA98/04535

In 1778 each part of the famous Iron Bridge was individually cast for Abraham Darby at the Bedlam Furnace, less than 500 yards from the bridge. The remains of this furnace illustrates how iron was produced. Ironstone (ore) was tipped into the top of the furnace along with limestone. It was heated in the furnace with fuel (coal and later coke) to force the iron from the stone. It was tapped off at the bottom as a liquid and run off into moulds to harden.

Location

Shropshire Ironbridge

Period

Georgian (1714 - 1836)

Themes

This mill was originally known as Jumble Hole Mill. It was first mentioned in 1788. Between 1815 and 1826 it was owned by Christopher Rawden who owned several mills in the locality. On 11th August 1899 the mill was destroyed by fire. This photograph could have been taken after the fire. The mill was altered and extended during the 19th and 20th century. The 1947 Yorkshire textile Industry directory has an entry for Jumble Hole Mill:
'Cocker and Co (1929) Ltd. (bleaching, dyeing and finishing of blacks and colours; rayons; crepes; cashmeres; brocades; muslins)
Cockers closed in the 1950s, but the mill was later used for silk dyeing.

Bedlam Furnace, Waterloo Street, Ironbridge, Shropshire

Location

Period

Themes

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