The large town of Stockport is situated 7 miles from Manchester city
centre and lies at the confluence of the Tame, Goyt and Mersey rivers.
The first building of any identity to be officially documented in the
town was its castle, a motte-and-bailey construction from around 1173.
The site is still identifiable today, but Stockport's architectural
identity relates to more modern times. From the seventeenth century,
Stockport became a centre for the hatting trade and later the silk
industry. The town expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution,
fuelled by the growth of cotton manufacturing, which became one of its
major employers. In Stockport in 50 Buildings local author Phil Page
highlights some of the town's significant architectural landmarks and
notable structures from across the centuries. Through a fascinating and
diverse selection of buildings he tells the story of Stockport's
development, its people and their way of life. During the nineteenth
century, spinning, weaving, bleaching, printing and dyeing became the
staple industries of Stockport and many of its surviving buildings
reflect its industrial heritage. The old mills, churches and market
buildings still play an essential part in the life of the town today.
The existing breweries, cinemas, libraries, art galleries and railway
stations are a reflection of the needs of a growing Victorian and
Edwardian society. The grand constructions of their engineers can still
be seen, with St Mary's Parish Church, the imposing Town Hall and the
famous railway viaduct being among the most impressive examples of a
great industrial age. Illustrated throughout, this book takes the reader
on an engaging journey visiting many of Stockport's older buildings and
those newer constructions that have come to represent the town today.
