Former Caton Workhouse, Moorside Road, Caton with Littledale, Lancashire
This was the site of the Caton workhouse. In 1822 Caton Gilbert Union was formed. It was probably shortly after this that the workhouse was built to the south east of Caton. Caton was exempted from most of the provisions of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act due to its Gilbert Union status. However it was still subject to scrutiny including an official inspection, which was undertaken in 1866. This highlighted a range of criticisms including the absence of receiving wards, vagrant wards, insane wards, an infirmary or school. There was no water-closet, bath, or lavatory and men were forced to sleep two to a bed. The workhouse was deemed wholly unsuitable. Despite efforts by Poor Law Commissioners to persuade the union to dissolve itself, it lasted until 1869 when all remaining Gilbert Unions were demolished. Caton Workhouse was then converted into private housing.
