A plaque has been unveiled to mark the site of a historic factory near the River Lune.
The heritage plaque is located at the Luneside student accommodation at St George's Quay, on the site of the former St George's Works - the first purpose-built, high rise-style factory of an industrial complex in the world.
A group of around 40 people from as far away as Amsterdam and Washington State – and including student residents - gathered at a ceremony to reveal the plaque.
The site was once home to St George’s Works, built between 1854 and 1860. See photo below from the Lancaster Civic Vision website.
It was built by Lancaster industrialist James Williamson Snr and was the first identifiable flat-roofed industrial building anywhere.
It produced oilcloth for floor coverings, table cloths and blinds with the fabric being manufactured on the upper floors and passed through gaps in the floors to be hung and dried in the taller space of the ground floor.
The building once stretched along St George’s Quay from Carlisle Bridge down to – and into – Freeman’s Wood.
The Works was demolished in 2018 to be replaced by student flats (see below, photo by Lancaster Civic Vision) and an adjoining housing estate which covers the original industrial site at George’s Quay.
“Lancaster has so many elements to its fascinating past and this plaque will highlight another important piece of its history on the Quay," said Councillor Gina Dowding, city councillor for Marsh ward.
Afterwards the group was given a tour of the external areas and gardens by manager Kirsty Astley followed by refreshments in the communal areas of the new complex.
Lancaster Civic Vision thanked Kirsty for her help in arranging the event as well as her assistance in erecting the sign together with negotiating permission from the building’s owners M&G Real Estate.
Lancaster Civic Vision is the operating name for Lancaster Civic Society and its sub-group Lancaster Vision.
Lancaster Civic Society was founded in 1967 and in the over 50 years since that time has overseen the preservation of the heritage of the Lancaster and Morecambe district, its outstanding natural beauty, whilst assisting in its future development.
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