| Description | 12 Back West Street was visited by Lucy Caffyn in 1982 as part of the Workers' Housing Survey. Although not mentioned in the subsequent publication, the following notes were made during the visit;
This is the end cottage of a row of 9, built in different stages c. 1840 and faces east. No's 17, 19 and 21 are now through cottages though they were back to back originally. They were the earliest cottages in the row to be built. No's 23, 25 and 27 added to the north end of these, are back to backs, with a shop at the end. No's 11, 13 and 15, added to the south, are taller than the others and probably the latest to be built. There was a dyehouse behind the houses opposite to the west and in the 19th century censuses textile workers predominate in the houses in this area of the village, working either at the dyehouse or the mill.
They are of stone, coursed with flagstone roofs and stone chimneys. The doors and windows have surrounds.
No 12 was recorded. It has a cellar with a stone shelf and shelves in the wall thickness and a part later divided off for a coal store. Stone stairs lead up to the living room though a later (?) dividing wall has been added to partition off an entry lobby/corridor. Two joists run either side of the dividing chimney breasts. Stone stairs lead up to the bedroom. The living room window has splayed sides and would have had a central mullion.
The bedroom has a fireplace and is well lit. With this and the high ceilings, could it have been for hand looms?
A copy of the above information including photographs and floorplans is held on file at the offices of West Yorkshire HER. |