Central Block of Atlas Works

Details

TL 8428-8528 EARLS COLNE FOUNDRY LANE (west side)

8/61 Central block of Atlas Works

GV II

Foundry, now engineering workshop, and water tower. 1869-85. Foundry of white and red brick in Flemish bond, roofed with corrugated asbestos and slate. Water tower of yellow brick in Flemish bond, with dressings of red and blue bricks, with cast iron tank and slate roof. The foundry is in 4 parallel ranges aligned E-W, with main entrances to the E, and extending approximately 55 metres to the W. Beyond this and to N and S are later buildings physically connected to it, but of less historical and architectural interest. The water tower was originally freestanding, approximately 8 metres S of the W end of the foundry, but is now integrated by later buildings of less historical and architectural interest. The E elevation comprises 4 similar gable ends with minor differences. Each has a central wide arched doorway with double sliding doors and above it a round cast iron window, within one arched recess, and on each side a large cast iron window with semi-circular head, in an arched recess. Inside the recesses the bricks are red, outside they are white. The dressings are also of white brick, but they have weathered to a darker tone than the remainder. The most northerly range was built first, and has a semi-circular arch to the doorway, and a cast iron recessed plaque with inscribed letters "R. Hunt 1869'. The other 3 ranges have semi-elliptical arches to the doorways, and similar plaques inscribed respectively 'R. Hunt 1871, 'R. Hunt 1871 and '1872'. The third range from the N has a louvred wooden vent in the apex of the gable, and the fourth range has 4 original cast iron vents. The first 3 ranges have roofs of corrugated asbestos, the fourth of slate. The roof structures are original, of softwood, with queenposts and raking struts. Between the ranges are lines of cast iron columns. The water tower has C20 doorways and casements on the ground floor, and on the first floor 2 original cast iron casements with semi-circular heads in the S elevation, one in the E and W elevations, recessed within semi-circular arches. Plain pilasters divide the S elevation into 2 unequal bays. The outer arches and window arches are of red bricks. Dogtooth course of red bricks, and cornice of blue bricks. The tank is in 12 panels to N and S, 8 to E and W, with on the S side a cast iron plaque with 'R. Hunt & Co. 1885' in raised lettering. Weatherboarding in the gables. The foundry established by Reuben Hunt made a major contribution to the improvement and mechanisation of agriculture in Essex in the C19, and changed Earls Colne from a village into a prosperous small industrial town. The earliest buildings survive in exceptionally unchanged condition. (J. Booker, Essex and the Industrial Revolution, 1974, 16, 20, 81, 203-6). See item 8/62.

Listing NGR: TL8545228846

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

115909

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Booker, J, Essex and the Industrial Revolution, (1974), 16 20 81
Booker, J, Essex and the Industrial Revolution, (1974), 203-6

End of official list entry

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