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Title: Wainhouse Tower - PNH00475
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Title
Wainhouse Tower - PNH00475
Description
At 275 feet, it is believed to be the tallest folly in the world! Specially commended in Pennine Magazine photographic competition.
A number of myths have accumulated over the years around this unusual landmark which is often referred to as ‘Wainhouse’s Folly’. The truth is simply that the octagonal tower was erected as a chimney for the Washer Lane Dye Works. The hillside rises steeply so in order to disperse the smoke effectively it was built on top of the escarpment and particularly high, with a long flue connecting it to the mill 200 yards below. John Edward Wainhouse considered that so prominent a chimney should be in the best taste and commissioned Isaac Booth to prepare plans. He designed it as an octagonal stone tower containing a circular brick flue with steps climbing between. But Booth also acted as architect for Sir Henry Edwards, of the neighbouring Pye Nest estate, whose relations with Wainhouse had been strained for some time; finding his situation impossible, Booth withdrew from the project. In 1874 Wainhouse sold the Washer Lane Works and the new owner refused to be saddled with an unfinished chimney. Wainhouse then chose Richard Swarbrick Dugdale, a former pupil of Booth, to complete the tower that was no longer needed for its intended purpose. The new designs incorporated a lower balcony, corbelled and balustraded, with a peristyle of sixteen 20-foot columns supporting an upper balustraded balcony, surmounted by a lantern, dome and finial. The tower is 253 feet high from the entrance threshold to the top of the finial and 403 steps lead to the top balcony. The overall cost of building is estimated to have been £14,000.
Text from: Calderdale Architecture and History.
A number of myths have accumulated over the years around this unusual landmark which is often referred to as ‘Wainhouse’s Folly’. The truth is simply that the octagonal tower was erected as a chimney for the Washer Lane Dye Works. The hillside rises steeply so in order to disperse the smoke effectively it was built on top of the escarpment and particularly high, with a long flue connecting it to the mill 200 yards below. John Edward Wainhouse considered that so prominent a chimney should be in the best taste and commissioned Isaac Booth to prepare plans. He designed it as an octagonal stone tower containing a circular brick flue with steps climbing between. But Booth also acted as architect for Sir Henry Edwards, of the neighbouring Pye Nest estate, whose relations with Wainhouse had been strained for some time; finding his situation impossible, Booth withdrew from the project. In 1874 Wainhouse sold the Washer Lane Works and the new owner refused to be saddled with an unfinished chimney. Wainhouse then chose Richard Swarbrick Dugdale, a former pupil of Booth, to complete the tower that was no longer needed for its intended purpose. The new designs incorporated a lower balcony, corbelled and balustraded, with a peristyle of sixteen 20-foot columns supporting an upper balustraded balcony, surmounted by a lantern, dome and finial. The tower is 253 feet high from the entrance threshold to the top of the finial and 403 steps lead to the top balcony. The overall cost of building is estimated to have been £14,000.
Text from: Calderdale Architecture and History.
Creator
Alan McEwan
Rights
PHDA - Pennine Heritage Collection
Relation
Pennine Horizons Digital Archive
Identifier
PNH00475.tif
Collection
Citation
Alan McEwan, “Wainhouse Tower - PNH00475,” Pennine Horizons Digital Archive, accessed April 18, 2024, https://penninehorizons.org/items/show/33894.
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