Site of 19th century Lawford Iron Works and Tannery (EHER 15290)

The Lawford Iron Works and Tannery were sited on the Colchester Road. They were one of the earlier Essex iron foundries. he house survives, but the site of the ironworks has been destroyed and is now occupied by flats for the elderly. The Lawford Leatherworks stood on Mill Hill, on the site of what was previously a water-mill.

The Lawford Iron Works and Tannery were sited on the Colchester Road. (TM 1043 3178). They were one of the earlier Essex iron foundries. The site contained several brick-built buildings and a steam engine house. A substantial manager's house overlooks the works and the iron gates by the drive-way were probably manufactured within the foundry. The house survives, but the site of the ironworks has been destroyed and is now occupied by flats for the elderly. <1> Formerly part of the Lawford Works, the Marsh Row tanneries shown on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map extract (1875, sheet 20.9, TM 1035 3205 centred) produced leather which was then manufactured into finished goods within the factory to the north. The buildings have been demolished and a modern industrial estate now occupies the site.<1> The Lawford Leatherworks stood on Mill Hill, on the site of what was previously a water-mill. The Ordnance Survey First Edition map extract (1875, sheet 20.9, TM 1045 3158) shows a large structure with a damned pool to the south. The works had become abandoned by 1897 and in 1908 the site became a water pumping station for the Tendring Hundred Water Works Co. A single storey-brick built office range stands beside the entrance with terracotta fenestration and the inscriptions 'TH W W Co.' and '1908'. To the south stand two stock brick pumping engine houses with gauge brick dressings around the windows, slate roof and clerestory across the ridge. The engines were probably steam powered. <1> One of the earlier Essex foundries, the Lawford Ironworks was established by 1835. The site contained several Victorian brick-built buildings, and an engine house stood between the foundry and smiths shop; a tannery also occupied the southern part of the complex. A substantial manager’s house overlooked the works and the iron gates by the drive-way were probably manufactured within the foundry. The house survives, but the site of the ironworks has been destroyed and is now occupied by flats for the elderly. Two leather works were also founded by the company beside Station Road and Mill Hill. <2>.