Sir Titus Salt built a mill and village in 1853 that continues to be
named after him. Already a successful worsted manufacturer in Bradford,
his decision to build a huge 'vertical' mill commenced a pattern of
intertwined fortunes between Salt's Mill and Saltaire's residents, one
that has continued. It housed all processes from treating raw wool to
finishing quality worsted materials, alongside houses and community
amenities for his workers. Ownership of Salts Mill initially passed to
Salt's fifth son but went into voluntary administration in 1892. The
mill was rescued and prospered under the ownership of Sir James Roberts
until 1918, when family and business tragedies resulted in his sale of
Salts Mill to a consortium of Bradford businessmen. During lean times
for the textile trade in the 1920s, the private company of Salts Mill
was floated as a public company and success returned to the mill. This
led to record dividends in 1956, resulting in a dramatic take over by
Illingworth, Morris - a company founded by the Ostrer family, who grew a
global, multi-national textile company, retaining their headquarters at
Salts Mill until textile production ceased. The twists, turns and dramas
at Salts Mill are recounted in this book.
