Written by Councillor John Matson
Introduction
When colleagues of Euxton Parish Council first asked me to produce a short history of Euxton I initially thought that it would be an easy and straightforward project, but like so many other things the deeper you dig the more information is unearthed. The more I studied the documented evidence, such as local census records, newspaper articles, local book publications, deeds, and maps, the more information came to light. To make this text as brief as possible I have purposely left out some historical facts such as; deeds, maps, photographs, land and farm auctions etc. Here then is the brief history of Euxton and how it has evolved over the centuries into today's present day Euxton. I hope that I have done it justice. Euxton has a long history of settlement from pre-historic, (Bronze Age) Anglo-Saxon, Roman, Tudor, Victorian, Edwardian, and modern times which have all left their influence on the village.
Local historian Kenneth Hodkinson's book Euxton - (Burgh): Pictorial Record of Bygone Days, is a brilliant insight into Euxton's past and I have no regret in quoting some of his findings in this text. He records that from early Anglo-Saxon times there has been a township in Euxton, and has over the centuries evolved into the present day Euxton. Hodkinson further explains that todays place name of Euxton was in the 16th Century originally known as Euxton-Burgh (pronounced Euxton-Borough as in Edinburgh) and is an ancient township lying on the line of the once great Roman highway from Chester via Walton-le-Dale. It is generally accepted that during the Roman occupation Euxton-Burgh was a fortified position set up to protect the ford over the River Yarrow.
The Yates map of 1786 is a very detailed map of the area and shows that most place names had been regularised. It showed Euxton as being the township, but Euxton-Burgh still appeared as the name of the village. This map had upgraded most Anglo-Saxon Old English place names into todays recognisable Modern English place names. The oldest surviving documental relic of Euxton is the market charter granted by Edward I in 1301. This is possibly the deed by which Euxton acquired 'Borough' status. This Royal Charter and seal are today preserved in the archives of the Lancashire Record Office in Preston.
Euxton Manor
Through the centuries Euxton Manor has had several owners. One of the last land owners was the Molyneux family, who gained the land by marriage into the previous owners the Hollands. The Molyneux's later sold the Manor of Euxton to John Longworth of Liverpool, and in turn the Londworth's sold it to William Ince Anderton of the Anderton's of Euxton, whose family had been seated at Euxton Hall since the time of Henry VIII, and could trace a direct line of descent from King Edward III. Following the marriage of William Anderton to Mary the daughter of Richard Fifth Viscount Molyneux in 1752, the Anderton's Coat of Arms were quartered with those of Molyneux, an example of which can still be seen today over the entrance of Euxton Hall, Independant Hospital. The Coat of Arms figures 'Arms of Anderton of Euxton: Sable, a chevron between three shackbolts argent. Crest: A curley proper. Motto: 'we stoop not'.
Euxton Hall
Euxton Hall was originally built during the reign of Henry VIII and rebuilt again in 1739 and was considerably altered and enlarged, including the magnificent West Front in 1849/50. At the bottom of Both Brow and over Chapel Brook and to the right (desending the hill from the Parish Church) is a large stone gate post with ball finial. This is the entrance to Euxton Hall Park. In 1850 William Micheal Ince Anderton succeeded to the family estates in Euxton, also in this year he married his first wife Emma. He had grand ideas on improving the hall and park, and set about enlarging the 18th Century mansion including as previously mentioned the wonderful Palladian West Front (1849/50). Unfortunately Emma died in 1866 aged just 40 years. In 1867 William Anderton married his second wife Casilda Hunloke, granddaughter of Lady Scarisbrick of Scarisbrick Hall. This marriage produced two children, his first wife Emma had borne him two sons and two daughters and on his death in 1884, his first born son and heir William Arthur Alphonsus Joseph Ince Anderton succeeded to the estates. William Arthur became a professional soldier and spent little time at Euxton Hall. In 1887 he married Ida Maria Winfride and together continued to live 'the service life' until 1896 when he retired and resumed residence at Euxton Hall. He spent the next 30 years at the Hall until his death in 1926. Upon his death his wife Ida left Euxton and went to live with her family in Barnard Castle, Co, Durham. As there were no children from the marriage the only other surviving in the line was William Arthur's younger brother, Sir Francis, he remained a batchelor, which brought to an end the dynasty of one of the oldest Roman Catholic families in England'. In 1929 Euxton Hall gained a new owner, who had the upper storey of the hall removed. After two further owners and in 1983 this historic mansion of the Anderton's of Euxton became Euxton Hall Independent Hospital. One further point of interest is that James Anderton, the former Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police is related to the Anderton's of Euxton).
Other Historic Halls
Historic Buckshaw Hall in Euxton was originally known as Higher Buckshaw and was built by Major Edward Robinson in 1654, and restoration work was carried out in 1885, today the building is GradeE II listed. Both Buckshaw Hall, Euxton, Old Worden Hall, Leyland and some productive farms were at the time swallowed up by the building of the 900 acre site of the Royal Ordnance Factory built between 1936 and 1938. The R.O.F. was officially opened on 20th August 1938 by film star Gracie Fields. Today there is little left of the Royal Ordnance Factory, but in its wake a new township has evolved that of Buckshaw Village with much of the old 900 acre site now covered with houses, light industry, and a railway station (which is the old ROF station, 'ROF Halt'), and other essential amenities that are needed for a new village to grow.
Railways
Euxton was one of a number of small communities that initially benefited from the advent of the railways. The first section of the North Union Line northwards from Kenyon Junction on the Liverpool/Manchester Railway which was opened in 1838, and was the first station in Euxton. This station stood alongside a level crossing on the original line of Euxton Lane, formally Know Lane. The present bridge forms the underpass, which was originally constructed in the 1890s when the 'slow line' from Standish to Euxton Junction was laid, but in recent times this bridge has been completely refurbished and rebuilt. In 1843 the Bolton and Preston Railway joined the 'main line' at Euxton Juntion. This station and other buildings were also built in 1843, with access from Wigan Road via 'Cockers Bridge' alongside the 'Railway Tavern Inn'. The station and access bridge were demolished in 1938 at the beginning of WW11. Between 1830s and the 1890s the lower end of Balshaw Lane from Wigan Road (A49) to Balshaw House was straight and level, which was where the third of Euxton's level crossing was situated.
Leading up to the bridge from Wigan Road (A49) is a right fork in the road. Today it is neglected and chained off. This was the access road to the 'goods yard' of Balshaw Lane and Euxton station. This station was also closed and demolished in the 1960s. Today a new modern station has opened on the old site and has become Euxton's new railway station serving the local community. In the early 1890s the original North Union Railway became the London and North Western Railway's 'fast line', and additional tracks were laid from Standish to Euxton Junction (the slow line)' with trains stopping at the local stations of Standish, Coppull, and Balshaw Lane (Euxton) station. This station replaced the original station (Euxton Junction) that stood adjacent to the Bay Horse Hotel. This new local line and station were opened on 1st September 1895, by which time all three of Euxton's level crossings had been scrapped.
On the southern boundary crossing over the River Yarrow via Pincock Bridge towards Charnock Richard if you look to the left you may be able to see the embankment of Pincock Viaduct spanning the Yarrow valley (erected in the 1890s) carrying the railway 80ft above the floor of the valley. Originally two water courses flowed under the viaduct, the River Yarrow to the right and the disused mill race to the left, both were culverted to flow freely under the railway. In 1837 during construction of an embankment carrying the fast line of the railway the two brick culverts collapsed causing the waters to be dammed up which in turn caused a large lake to form. On releasing the water it flooded the valley down to Croston and beyond. Due to the flooding it was decided to build a wooden trestle bridge linking the two remaining brick abutments. Today the embankment looks like any other railway embankment, but in the 1890s the decision was made to strengthen the trestle bridge by encasing it in a massive earth embankment with two large culverts to allow free passage of water. Recent photographic evidence proves that the wooden trestle framework is still in place within the embankment.
Industry
For several hundred of years Pincock has been the industrial centre of Euxton. It is accepted that Pincock got its name from Thurston Pincock who by a deed dated 20th March 1617 leased from Sir Richard Molyneux, a messuage, tenement, and corn mill in Euxton. In 1690 local histories reported that on the southern boundary of the village and on the banks of the River Yarrow was a corn mill called Pincock Mill, a further paper mill, and another corn mill called Armetriding Mill, and alongside the banks of the Yarrow were quarries of stone, large hard flags, and of slate. There are photographs showing the large flags being used as walling in the village. They were held together by bolted iron straps and were erected along the (A49) Wigan Road in the centre of the village, and some being used outside the present Community Centre, but they have long since disappeared. A small arched stone bridge spanned the River Yarrow which allowed passage across the river for the residents of Pincock. Today the re-enforced bridge (Pincock Bridge) across the River Yarrow forms the boundary between Euxton and Charnock Richard on the (A49) Wigan Road.
Pincock Spinning Mill was built in 1792, but 191 years later in 1983, it was demolished. In 1836 a fire broke out in the mill, at which time it was owned by John Harrison & Co of Glead Hill. It would appear that after the fire much refurbishment took place with additional buildings being built. By 1852 another owner Mr Priestley was in charge of the mill. The area of Pincock had become a mini industrial park of its time with mills and quarries. Perhaps it was at this time in 1852 that the Euxton Mills Hotel changed its name from The Grapes to its present name as the expanding industry of mills at Pincock took place. Historic records show that the Priestley family held the tenure of the mill the longest, and made it the most successful in its long history.
A Manchester cotton spinner by the name of Peter Priestley arrived in Euxton and by 1852 had a modern thriving business at Pincock, and he lived at Glead Hill in an elegant country house. Unfortunately Peter Sr died around 1861, but John Dean Manning his wife's brother, who was a textile merchant from Manchester arrived on the scene and took over the running of the mill, until in 1870 Peter (junior) took over the mill at just 21 years of age. In 1986 the old mill chimney was dismantled brick by brick. The advent of new weaving looms brought Priestley's spinning only business to a close in 1892, and for a while the mill lay idle, but in 1896 new looms were installed into the new weaving sheds at Pincock Mill. The mill had also been modernised, but in 1954 Pincock Mill closed for the last time, so ending the life of a long established mill in Euxton's industrial Yarrow valley.
In the early 1900s one of the corn mills at Pincock was called 'Ashworth's Corn Mill'. The Ashworth's sold the mill to Preston Farmers about the time of the 1914-1918 Great War, but alas in the late 1930s this 16th century corn mill was demolished. The remnants of the Bobbin Shop of Armetriding Mill situated at the end of Mill Lane was part of a complex built in the 1800s, but was rebuilt in 1851 as a Spinning Mill, and later became known as the Bobbin Mill. Some time later an explosion took place at the mill, killing two workers. Afterwards the mill resumed working, but again in 1940 another explosion hit the mill, but this time it was from a German bomb, and sadly after this last occurrence it caused the slow demise of the once proud mill at Pincock. Later this derelict building was privately bought and today it is a private residence. The new weaving sheds of Pincock Mill which opened in 1896 were in 1969 taken over by Xelflex, who specialised in rubber mouldings, but between 2011 and 2013 the site was sold off to developers. Most recently the buildings have been demolished with only the roadside perimeter wall left standing, thus another old mill at Pincock has gone forever. Pincock Factory Cottages which were converted factory buildings were also demolished in 1965 and today a bungalow called 'Mill End' now occupies the site.
Public Houses
Over the years Euxton has had its fair share of public houses, some are still there some have been demolished, while others have been converted into private residences. Recently Euxton has even had new public houses being built, The Fieldfare and The Warhorse to name but two, although it remains debatable whether these two new pubs are actually within Euxton's boundaries.
Euxton Mills Hotel
The Euxton Mills Hotel was built as a coaching house in 1760 and is situated at the junction of Dawbers Lane and Wigan Road and was originally called The Grapes and as previously mentioned probably changed its name due to the industrial mills at Pincock. In 1851 this public house was just known as the Mills Tavern. The Euxton Mills Hotel is reported to be haunted with many sightings of the Graey Lady being recorded.
The Millwright Arms (Pincock Brow)
In the 1890s and half way down Pincock Street stood another aptly named public house The Millwright Arms. This was also called the Jolly Millwright due to the pub being the central social meeting place for the industrial workers of the Pincock community. This building was later converted into a private residence.
Ince Arms (Wigan Road)
At the top of Pincock Brow and nearly opposite to the Euxton Mills Hotel stood an old toll house and next door to it was another public house called the Ince Arms which was built in 1769. After it stopped being a public house, and for a short time the old Ince Arms served as a chip shop. Both the toll house and the Ince Arms have long since been demolished and today the site is occupied by a garage and car sales forecourt. This area is often referred to as Daisy Bank, but today it is known locally as Daisy Hill.
Travellers Rest
Halfway down Dawbers Lane we find The Travellers Rest. The original building has been extended to include the old stable block making it one large building. Today The Travellers Rest is still there and it has recently been refurbished and now presents a pleasant pub and eating house.
Cobblers Arms (Southport Road, Shaw Green, Euxton)
The Cobblers Arms is situated in Shaw Green on the borders of Euxton and Eccleston, and later it was briefly known as Euxton Coaching House until it unfortunately closed as a public house in 2000 and was then converted into an Indian Restaurant called the Blue Elephant, and recently it has been renamed as just The Elephant.
The Talbot Arms (Balshaw Lane)
In the 1850s the old Talbot Arms was built, or Smokey Joes, so named by the Americans who were stationed at Wasington Hall during WWII, who frequented the pub smoking their Smokey Joe cigars. Both the new and old pubs were situated on Balshaw Lane, the old pub stood to the left and slightly forward of the present new Talbot Arms. Today the pub is just called The Talbot, and the old Talbot Arms has long since been demolished and the site now forms part of the present pubs car park.
The Bugle Inn (197 Wigan Road)
The date stone on the building of the Bugle Inn states that it was built in 1767, but this probably dates to when the building was either extended or rebuilt, because records show of an earlier Inn occupying the site in 1753. The history of this public house is difficult to trace because of the number of other buildings surrounding the pub. All the buildings were owned by the Anderton family and used as residences for their employees, including farmers, gardeners, domestic servants, and grooms as the census records show. The 1881 census records that John Rawcliffe is listed as the master brewer. Since the 1930s the Bugle Inn was used more as a car garage rather than a working farm or beer house. Today it is a car sales forecourt.
Gray Horse Inn (School Lane)
The Gray Horse Inn sat alongside the middle level crossing of the three level crossings that were in Euxton. Records show that the inn was a good social pub, but was converted to a private residence in 1912 due to lack of business due to the building of the underpass to the slow line. Today this underpass still carrys School Lane under the railway lines.
Papa Luigi's/Red Lion/Anderton Arms (169 Preston Road)
During my research I discovered much confusion over this building, but we know for a fact that todays Papa Luigi's Italian Restaurant was once called the Anderton Arms public house, but records show that before that it was called The Red Lion Inn. Documented evidence states that The Red Lion Inn was a 17th Century Coaching Inn and was located next to the old police station. The building was probably extended in the 1860s when it was owned by William Ince Anderton. There is some confusion whether the Red Lion Inn and the Anderton Arms were separate premises, but they were not.
Prior to 1871 the inn was recorded as the Red Lion, which was situated next door to the schoolhouse of the national school (todays Community centre). It was known as the Red Lion Inn until the mid 1860s before changing its name to the Anderton Arms and this is supported by the fact that John Pearson, the listed landlord in 1861 at the Red Lion, was then the landlord of the Anderton Arms in 1871. There are also no other licensed premises recorded on census records on that stretch of main road through Euxton to suggest there were ever two separate buildings. It would also appear that the Red Lion Inn was used as a village meeting house and sometimes courthouse, which would make logical sense with the police station next door.
Documentation states that the Red Lion was sold by auction in January 1794 and in July 1837 the Red Lion Inn formally the property of James Longworth Esq was again sold by auction after his death together with the rest of the manor including the Millwright Arms Inn at the Pincock Mill end of the village. Whilst it appears that the Red Lion was purchased at the end of 1860, but the 1861 census still refers to the pub as The Red Lion Inn. It is interesting to note that William Anderton chose to rename the pub the Anderton Arms in the mid 1860s as this coinsided with the building of the new St. Mary's R.C. Church which opened in 1865. The Red Lion Inn is situated directly opposite to the new church and therefore it remains debatable whether William Anderton wished to serve as a reminder to the local clergy how important he was to the village by changing the name of the pub at this time.
In 1880 documentation states that William Bailey (1876 - 1881) was landlord, which confirms the earlier transfer of the Red Lion to William Ince Anderton at auction in 1860. Documentation of 1897 states that the landlord was John Bailey, and the owner was W.A.J. Anderton (Anderton Arms). In 1910 the landlord was S. Bailey, and the owner was Major Anderton public house, the property, the Anderton Arms, and in 1987 it became Papa Luigi's Italian Restaurant. Several local historical publications state that opposite Papa Luigi's (or the old police station) stood a building, which was called The Red Lion pub. This cannot be correct as I think I have shown that Papa Luigi's, Anderton Arms, and the Red Lion are one and the same building. I, like everyone else, probably accepted that the building opposite was originally called the Red Lion pub, but I now believe that the building has always been a private residence called St. Mary's Cottage. This building was demolished post WWII, and the site is today St. Mary's Social Club car park. The building next door to Papa Luigi's, which was the original Euxton Police Station, today this building is a private residence.
Bay Horse Hotel (Wigan Road)
The Bay Horse Hotel lies on the junction of Euxton Lane and Runshaw Lane with the main road of Wigan Road (A49). This crossroads was originally the intersection of the main north south, east west packhorse tracks during the Middle Ages. Adjacent to the Bay Horse Hotel once stood the station of Euxton Junction before it was demolished in the late 1930s.
Plough Inn (Runshaw Lane)
For many residents the Plough Inn on Runshaw Lane is still known as Jerry's, it's nickname being attributed to former landlord Jeremiah Cornwell, in the past he had been the gamekeeper at both Euxton and Worden Halls. Today it has recently been fully refurbished and remains a local favourite for good food and drink.
White Hart (Runshaw Lane)
Next door to the Plough Inn was another pub called the White Hart, but it was only licensed to sell ales and porter, but the Plough being an Inn and therefore could sell all alcohol. Today this building is a private residence.
The Railway Tavern (Wigan Road)
The Railway Tavern first appeared on the 1861 census which stated that it was a beer house. In 1851 John Eccles appeared as a farmer and ran the property as both a farm and beer house, and in 1911 it was still classed as the same type of property. The following are some of the later landlords of the tavern, Thomas Williams (1911), Thomas Bolton (1933-1944) and Paul Rodgers (2009). By 1901 the pub was called the Euxton Tavern and over the next 100 years changed its name several times. After the building of the R.O.F. (Royal Ordnance Factory) the pub was renamed the Royal Ordnance, the Royal was later dropped to just the Ordnance. Later it opened as The Railway Tavern which was billed as an exciting gastro pub which I believe it remains today.
Religion
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church was opened on the 29th October 1865 by the Bishop of Liverpool. It was constructed of local stone to a design by E. W. Pugin the son of the famous Victorian architect Augustus Pugin. The land that the church occupies was donated by Mr. Garstang of Clayton and Glead Hill at the request of Captain Anderton, so that Catholics could worship in the village instead of the family chapel at Euxton Hall.
Today the Anderton family chapel has been converted into a private residence. Captain Anderton also gifted the clock that was installed into the church spire, to mark the coming of age of his eldest son in 1786. The clockwork mechanism for the clock is housed on the ground floor and as far is known it is still in good working order, but today the clock is driven by electricity. The clock mechanism has a commemorative plaque on it stating that it was gifted to the church by Captain Anderton as a permanent reminder that he was a major benefactor to the township of Euxton. At the junction of Bank Lane and Wigan Road there once stood the village pump and stocks, but in recent years Euxton Parish Council to preserve them and for posterity have had them repaired and removed to the Millenium Green where they now proudly reside. When in 1838 the Rev. John Williams became the vicar of Euxton Parish Church a vicarage, originally known as a parsonage, was built to acknowledge the occasion of his arrival. He served as vicar for the parish for 54 years a record that is unlikely to be broken. In 1984 a new vicarage was built nearer to the church, and the old vicarage is now a private residence.
This church is possibly the oldest building in the village, and is believed to have been rebuilt in 1573 by one of the Molyneux family. The church has over the years undergone several restorations and alterations. Descending down Daisy Hill towards Charnock Richard but before Pincock Bridge we find Euxtons Methodist Church/Chapel which was opened in 1902. Before the building of this church/chapel services were held in a cottage in Pincock Street. Originally there were three buildings here, to the left the large chapel/church as seen today to the right was a smaller chapel (which was built in 1845) but this was demolished in the 1960s to make way for a more suitable building to be used for group meetings and social events as can be seen today with the large white cross over the door. To the right of the smaller chapel was a house called Wesley House this was to house the resident minister, but today this house is a private residence.
Education
Today's Community Centre was originally the Parish School erected by subscription and grant in 1837. This building served the Church of England community for over 120 years until the opening in 1961 of the new C of E Primary School off Bank Lane. In 1758 the then Lord of the Manor John Longworth instigated the forming of a Trust to oversee the building of a school for the youth of the village. Initially this Trust became known as Longworth's Charity, and between 1770 and 1793 other benefactors came forward to join the Trust which provided the necessary funds for the running and upkeep of the Schoolhouse. This Schoolhouse was originally built alongside the present Community Centre and was later known as the Old School House, but was demolished some time ago, and a dentist surgery now occupies the site. Balshaw Lane County Primary School caters for boys and girls of primary age (5-11) years and was opened in 1976, with two mobile classrooms added in 1982. Today the school has been refurbished with more permanent classrooms being built. A new small building has been built in the playground area and is used as an after school club. Euxton St. Mary's R. C. Primary School opened in 1965 off Bank Lane with extensions added in 1970 and 1972. Euxton C. of E. Primary School also off Bank Lane opened in 1961.
Primrose Hill County Primary School opened in 1970. All of these schools cater for primary aged children within the village before they have to move on to higher schools in Chorley or elsewhere.
Housing
Unfortunately many of Euxton's old buildings and houses have been demolished over the years, which is sad because these building made up the heart of the township. Luckily some of the old buildings have been saved and many converted into private residences thereby retaining some of the old character of the village.
Armetriding Cottages
Armetriding Cottages at Pincock were built to provide accommodation for its mill workers. Today they have been modernised and much altered since they were mill workers cottages over 100 years ago.
Pincock Street Cottages
Pincock Street Cottages were built at the turn of the 18th/19th Century to provide dwellings for the mill workers at Pincock. Many of these cottages have now been demolished.
Waterside House (Pincock)
Waterside House at Pincock was originally used as a drying and storage building by Riverside Cottage which was originally a paper mill. Both buildings were later converted into dwellings, although the old paper mill (Riverside Cottage) is now derelict and today it is a listed building, but Waterside House remains a private residence.
Bridge House (Pincock Brow)
Descending Daisy Hill and crossing over the River Yarrow via Pincock Bridge, and over the boundary into Charnock Richard, and on the right is a house called Bridge House. Today this house has been extended and modernised into a private residence.
Balshaw Villa (Wigan Road)
Balshaw Villa is situated at the junction of Wigan Road (A49) and Balshaw Lane, but is set back from both roads in its own grounds. Balshaw Villa was used as a guest house by the Anderton family. Across the road a blocked up doorway in the high stone perimeter wall would have given access to the present Mews, to the servants quarters at the back of Euxton Hall, or for the privileged guests, via the south lawn to the main entrance.
South View Cottage (Wigan Road)
South View Cottage is a 17th Century stone built cottage, which is situated a little further on from Balshaw Villa, towards the Euxton Mills Hotel. This house has over the years been extended and modernised, and today is a private residence.
Woodlands Terraced Houses (Wigan Road)
Alongside the Euxton Mills Hotel and was possibly part of the present day car park stood a joiners and undertakers and shoeing and jobbing smiths workshop premises, which protruded out into the main road, and just beyond these premises was a row of terraced houses known as Woodlands, which were built in 1896. Today all these dwellings are private residences.
Daisy Hill Cottages (Wigan Road)
From Dawbers Lane (and on the opposite side of the road from the Euxton Mills Hotel) and just below where the Old Toll House once stood at the top of Daisy Hill are a row of terraced cottages aptly named Daisy Hill Cottages, which were built in 1904. Beyond these were a further row of terraced houses called the Channel Cottages (sometimes called the Step Houses), which today have all been demolished, except for three which are set back from the main road (A49). Originally the Channel Cottages were built as hand-loom weavers cottages.
Coronation Terrace (Wigan Road)
These terraced houses were built in 1911 and the left house of the block was originally the Post Office with the temporary Police Station next door, (this temporary police station was used while a purpose built new police station was being constructed near to Wigan Road and School Lane junction, today this building is now used as Chartered Surveyor's Offices).
Rose Hill Cottages (Wigan Road)
On the (A49) Wigan Road northbound and opposite Shawbrook Close, off the main road, near to the Railway Tavern and on the same side of the main road is a row of cottages called Rose Hill Cottages, and the house on the far left of the block was once a Shell Garage called Felton's Garage, today all these cottages are private residences.
Other Buildings
Daisy Hill (The Shop)
Above where the Old Toll House once stood and in the 1900s was a shop, which was known as Kitty Cornwall's. Today this shop has long since gone and the site now forms part of a car sales forecourt.
Euxton Co-op
On the corner of present day Anderton Road once stood the Euxton Co-op, Chorley Branch No. 10 Shop, the site is now occupied by a private residence.
The Insty (Wigan Road)
In 1921 the Prince of Wales (Duke of Windsor, King Edward VIII) called at Euxton during his tour of Lancashire. The Prince officially opened the original Euxton War Memorial Institute (then affectionately known as the "Silver Slipper"). By around 1985 the old wooden structure had been demolished and replaced by a more permanent brick building, known locally today as the "Insty".
Euxton Bakery (Wigan Road)
In the middle of the village stands Shackerley (Holdings) Group Ltd. building, before that this building was Euxton Tile Supplies, and long before that it was Lavina Garage, and even much earlier than that it was Rimmer's Bakery. Next door to the Euxton Medical Centre are four cottages which were originally built to house the bakers.
Euxton Library
Euxton Library was opened in 1966 where before the library had been established in a cottage off Wigan Road. Today the building has been fully refurbished and extended, and many local community groups make use of its many facilities.
Conclusion
Whilst researching the official records concerning the history of Euxton I found it to be a fascinating project and was surprised to find how rich a history Euxton has, from royal connections, lords of the manor, and a thriving industrial heritage. It is also pleasing to know that many old buildings from around the village are still standing. Many people will know that from the late 1940s through to perhaps the early 1960s from around the country many large houses, mansions, halls, and stately houses were systematically demolished, until somebody in Government suddenly realised that Britain was losing its heritage, and put a stop to the senseless destruction of the nations historic buildings. Therefore I am glad that Euxton has at least retained some of its old buildings, as previously mentioned in the text. I also hope that Euxton can retain its rural status and not have the Planners fill every green space with new housing. Unfortunately it would appear that the planners are in the process of trying to do just that. Planned 170 new houses to be erected on green fields at Pear Tree Lane.
Information sourced from:
The Internet (Chorley's Inn's and Taverns)
Euxton - (Burgh): Pictorial Record of Bygone Days by Kenneth Hodkinson
Euxton Then and Now by Stuart A. Cleylow and Susan Balshaw.