Walker, Alkali Works

HER Number:
4197

District:
Newcastle

Site Name:
Walker, Alkali Works

Place:
Walker

Map Sheet:
NZ26SE

Class:
Industrial

Site Type: Broad:
Chemical Works

Site Type: Specific:
Alkali Works

General Period:
Early Modern

Specific Period:
C19

Form of Evidence:
Documentary Evidence

Description:
Coal mining led to the establishment of the chemical industry in Walker due to the salt springs in the King Pit. William Losh moved his alkali works from Scotswood to Walker to take advantage of this valuable natural resource and set up the Walker Alkali Works by the river. Here he manufactured sulphuric acid, copperas, caustic soda and dyes. The Walker Alkali Works built the first Walker West School for the children of its workers. The chemical industry moved to Teeside in the late 1800s, eventually becoming ICI. Walker Alkali Works appears on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan of the area but is not shown on the 2nd edition plan, indicating that it was out of use by 1895.

Easting:
2958

Northing:
6358

Grid Reference:
NZ29586358

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 4197 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 98 L. Michael, 1992, Bygone Walker; University of Newcastle upon Tyne Department of Extra-Mural Studies, 1961, The Old Tyneside Chemical Trade, chapter VI, pages 13-15