Bodger Bedge
September 12th, 2006, 21:41
Ditterington flax mill + maltsters
Location: Shrewsbury
Site History:
Purpose: Processing of flax. Later used as a maltings.
Listing: Grade I, incorporating grade II* buildings.
Nestling in a suburb in the northern part of Shrewsbury it isn't much to look at - yet Ditherington Flax Mill is arguably the most important building in Shropshire.
The flax mill was built in 1796/97 by Leeds-based industrialist John Marshall and designed by his partner Charles Bage.
It's the mill's design that makes it such a groundbreaking building, because it was the first building in the world to be constructed around an iron frame.
This system was later taken up and employed to construct tall buildings all over the world
Essentially this structure represents the birth of the skyscraper, most notably adopted during the reconstruction of Chicago almost a century later.
Site report:
A bit of a cheat I am afraid!!! This building has been of interest for a while now. I believe some have managed to get inside but it is well fenced off and has security. Last weekend only it opened for viewing before they get on with the restoration work. Much of the site has been gutted and there is a lot of site activity happening - still a very interesting building. Access was only granted to the ground floor. Other floors are unsafe - apparantly.
Location: Shrewsbury
Site History:
Purpose: Processing of flax. Later used as a maltings.
Listing: Grade I, incorporating grade II* buildings.
Nestling in a suburb in the northern part of Shrewsbury it isn't much to look at - yet Ditherington Flax Mill is arguably the most important building in Shropshire.
The flax mill was built in 1796/97 by Leeds-based industrialist John Marshall and designed by his partner Charles Bage.
It's the mill's design that makes it such a groundbreaking building, because it was the first building in the world to be constructed around an iron frame.
This system was later taken up and employed to construct tall buildings all over the world
Essentially this structure represents the birth of the skyscraper, most notably adopted during the reconstruction of Chicago almost a century later.
Site report:
A bit of a cheat I am afraid!!! This building has been of interest for a while now. I believe some have managed to get inside but it is well fenced off and has security. Last weekend only it opened for viewing before they get on with the restoration work. Much of the site has been gutted and there is a lot of site activity happening - still a very interesting building. Access was only granted to the ground floor. Other floors are unsafe - apparantly.