Upleatham Ironstone Mine Walk – 13:00 – 20/09/09
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Skelton Park Ironstone Mine
Show on map Skelton Park is the most complete set of ironstone mining buildings left in Cleveland, the mine was operated by Bell Brothers between 1872 and 1923, then Dorman Long through to 1938.
The most substantial building on site is the Main Winding House, dated 1872. This housed a steam winding engine which wound cages in the adjacent 384ft deep downcast shaft. The roof of this building was intact until late 1994 when it finally succumbed to the elements.
  
 
The largely intact Power House originally housed an air compressor for drilling and haulage, attached to this are a small ambulance room and time office.
 
The impressive Schiele fanhouse building also houses the 378ft deep upcast shaft. The different coloured 8ft of bricks at the top of shaft date from its conversion to also be winding shaft as well as ventilation.
 
 
Next to the fanhouse is a Secondary Winding House, its construction suggest it was modified for hauling in the upcast shaft and may originally have been used during construction of the downcast shaft which can be seen from the window.
 
Numerous other ranges of mine buildings still exist, such as a saddlers shop and Provinder House used for preparation of feed for the horses.
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Also a Blacksmiths and Joiners workshops.
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A substation from the electrification of the site in 1909 is shown below, the base of a chimney, weighbridge, boiler pump house, horse gins and a couple of powder magazines are also hidden away within the site.Â
Please note that the mine site is on private land and the mine managers house approached from Skelton Ellers has been converted into a private residence so should not be visited. That said the path from Back Lane in Skelton is heavily used by dog walkers. A detailed survey of the site can be found in the excellent “Skelton Park Ironstone Mine” by Simon Chapman.
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Moorsholm Docks
Show on map The “Docks” are actually a set of six water troughs beside the road
The origin of their name is unclear, the only explanation around seems to be that a “wag” named them that (not the footballers wife type)
Stanghow Blacksmith Scupture.
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I had no information on this, but have received the following from June Murray, Secretary of Stanghow Residents’ Group :-
The Blacksmith was made from old horseshoes by Graham Wattis, a retired welder from Stanghow. It was commissioned by Stanghow Residents Group and erected in July 2008 opposite the site of the old forge (now a house named the forge).
Boosbeck Ironstone Commemorative Sign
Show on map This attractive commemorative village name sign carved by Phil Townsend depicts numerous mining scenes on tiles made by local children, hopefully a new generation now won’t forget why the town exists.
Skelton Whipping Post and replica Ironstone mine tub and kibble.
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New Inn, Coatham, Redcar
Show on map Unveiled as part of the recent wave of Redcar Heritage plaques.
The New Inn, Coathams first Hotel was built 1760 “for the accommodation of sea bathers”, become the Waterloo tavern in 1825, closed 1865.
 
North Riding Infirmary Arch
Show on map The North Riding Infirmary donated to the town by Ironmaster Henry Bolckow in 1864 was demolished in late 2006 to make way for a much needed Aldi and Travelodge (ahem)
The portico was saved after pressure from locals, although initially hidden behind road signs the owners have still not seen fit to remove the numbering and clean it up properly
Middlesbrough Air Raid Shelter Sign
Show on map This painted sign has somehow survived 65 years and indicates the site of a likely still intact Second World War air raid shelter for 367 people.
Middlesbrough Winter Gardens
Show on map Apparently only demolished in 1963 but I can locate no photos on the internet, does anyone have one ?
All that remains is this plaque very hidden away in a back alley.