In 1828 there is no mention of Waterfoot in the manufacturers and tradesmen's directory by Pigot and Co Ltd London as there was no parish or village bearing that name. The Duke of Buccleuch Hotel is described as being in Cowpe Lench. It being on the opposite side of the river Irwell from the boundary of the township and parish of Newchurch. Newchurch was at that time the most important township in Rossendale extending from Bacup to Rawtenstall embracing all the north and east sides of the river.

 

 

 

The other side of the river consisted of Brandwood, which was in the township of Spotland and the parish of Rochdale. The earliest mention  of Waterfoot is in a document 1740 in which the inhabitants of Cowpe covenant for the keeping in repair of the road leading from Boothfold to Cowpe. This road is described as leading down Miller Barn Lane to a place called the " Waterfoot". The district came under the borough of Rawtenstall apart from that is the area of Brandwood.

 

 

Mitchells Felt Wagon

 

Felt was first made in Rossendale by Mr Edward Rostron, who began to make it at Myrtle Grove in 1854. Mr Rostron then lived at Glen House, near the bottom of Townsend Street.

Within a short period of time there were several other makers. Messrs Barkers of Todd Carr, Rothwell at Bridge End, Mitchell of Whitewell Bottom, Schofield of Baltic, Ashworth of Shawclough, Stansfield of Lumb Holes.

 

 

 

Hirsts Machine Room

 

In 1874 a young married man by the name of J.W.Rothwell, a block printer by trade who lived in Holts Buildings, Miller Barn Lane with his wife got from his uncle Mr Henry Rothwell, a quantity of felt  remmenants for uppers and saddle remmenants for soles. He and his wife made up the slippers and then he went out to sell them. He took his first order in November 1874 which was for 6dozen pairs of slippers. The buyer was a Mr Thomas Field of 11 Oak Street, Manchester a man with one arm who had  a stall in Shudehill Market. In 1875 he employed four assistants, two pairs of sisters these four girls possibly being the first employees of the Rosendale Slipper Industry. Thier names  were Mrs David Walmsley, Mrs Henry Coupe, Miss Martha Maxwell, and Mrs Milton Mitchell. He later joined with two other block printers by trade  Mr Ormerod Clegg and William Spencer. They made slippers and traded as Spencer Clegg & Co from premises near the bridge. This business only lasted for a short while when Mr Rothwell went back to making slippers at his home on Miller Barn Lane.

 

Gaghills

 

 

In 1876 another occupant of Miller Barn Lane, Mr Samuel McLerie was also making slippers at home employed by Henry Rothwell until Mr  Rothwell went out of business. By 1884 Mr McLerie had moved into bigger premises at Holt Mill moving to Bacup in 1899.

 

Mr Rothwell meanwhile had had partnerships with various others concerns including Mr James Gregory at Whitewell Bottom. In 1882 Mr Rothwell began working as manager with Messrs Mitchell Bros leaving them two years later in 1884 to work for a new concern at Scoutbottom with Messrs Hirst and Brooks. When Mr Rothwell left Gregory and Co a young man by the name of Mr H.W.Tricketttook his place as traveller. By 1883 Mr Trickett had begun his own concern at Carr Lane and in 1889 bought Gaghills employing 1000, 00 people.  By 1900 Mr Hirst was also employing 600 to 700 people.