Historical Main Street West

This photograph offers a rare glimpse of a view west along Main Street around the turn of the 20th century. On the left, just in picture, is what is now the Yuet Ben restaurant. Built in 1852 this Victorian house was formerly the “Manor House School”. The Rev R.P. Borwick was principle from 1863 and the school’s most famous pupil was undoubtedly Prince Warabo from Opobo in Nigeria, who attended during the 1880’s. Unfortunately the prince later died from pneumonia and was buried in the parish graveyard, at Overton, where his grave can still be seen today.

Also on the left of the picture is “The Gables”, an elegant Georgian house built in a classical style by John Urmson in the late 18th century. The symmetrical pavilion wings are perhaps the most striking feature. Urmson and his partner William Crosbie together established a successful salt works on the banks of the River Weaver. By 1792 they were exporting approximately 7000 tons of salt, annually, to Liverpool and beyond. Listed Grade II the building has changed little over the last century.

In the centre, to the rear of the picture, Millstone House is visible at the road junction between Main Street and Marsh Lane. Millstone House is a timber framed building which for many years was a public house known as “At the sign of the Millstone”. The name probably derived from the association with water mills that were believed to have once stood at the end of the street. The building is internally dated at 1693 although is believed to be possibly older.

On the right of the picture is Ashley House (3), an elegant Georgian house most probably constructed between 1741 and 1786 by Robert Wainwright Ashley as his town residence. Listed Grade II.