The present market cross designed by John Shout was constructed in 1875 at a cost of £45, replacing an earlier cross.

A surveyors benchmark can be seen at the base of the column, its also said that the flame was once gilded so it resembled a giant match in honour of local inventor John Walker.

The cross has been the center of attention for many years, founding Methodist John Wesley preached from the steps and it was the site of the local stocks.
In 1933 it was the scene of ‘The Battle of Stockton‘ a clash with Mosley’s fascist blackshirts.