Street names

Tyldesley Street Names

Street names can give us an insight into the economic and social history of a town. Tyldesley's industrial past is reflected in names like Factory St, Little Factory St and Shuttle St reminders of the golden age of the cotton industry. Printshop Lane led to the cotton cloth printing works situated in Hindsford and seen clearly on the 1825 estate map. Coal mining has also left its mark, Green St named after George Green one of the directors of Yew tree Colliery. At Gin Pit Peace St, Maden St and Lord St are named after the directors of the Astley and Tyldesley Coal Company, which once owned several pits in Tyldesley.

Shackerley Road

Some names tell us of the early days of Tyldesley's industrial development when Thomas Johnson, who had inherited the Banks Estate in 1764 began to improve the town. Of course Johnson St and Squires Lane remind us this Squire Johnson, landowner, Manchester merchant, entrepreneur and Tyldesley mill builder. His wife was Susanna Wareing (Wareing St.) of a prominent Bury merchant family. It is clear from the estate map of 1825 that Johnson planned the town, encouraged investment and laid out a grid pattern of streets to be let in plots. These new streets were called Lemon St, Lime St, Primrose St. and Blossom St probably an enticement to people to settle this green and pleasant town!

More ancient times are remembered in such names as Castle St (see link to The Castle), Shakerley Road, Sale Lane and Garratt Hall Lane

National events and personalities are not forgotten in Tyldesley. Blenheim St celebrates the English and Austrian armies victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704 during the War of Spanish Succession. Directly opposite Alma St. refers to the Battle of Alma, the first pitched battle of the Crimean War of 1854. Great Elliot St (as it was originally known) was named after General George Augustus Eliot who was the commander of the successful defence of Gibraltar in a siege lasting three years seven months and twelve days, which began on June 21st, 1779 when the Spanish cut off the land approaches and built assault batteries. Elliott was honoured by being created Lord Heathfield and Baron Gibraltar. Fitting for the main highway through the town

Lord Heathfield of Gibraltar (General Elliot) painted in 1787 by Joshua Reynolds.