John Crabtree – Bradford

7M6E3176.JPGamit crabtree sm.jpgcrab sm.jpgcrabtree sm.jpgcrabtree stockton wools external december 31 2010 bradford image 1 sm.jpgcrabtree stockton wools external december 31 2010 bradford image 3 sm.jpgcrabtree stockton wools external december 31 2010 bradford image 4 sm.jpgcrabtrees 10 sm.jpgcrabtrees 4 sm.jpgcrabtrees 7 sm.jpgcrabtrees corridor shot 1 sm.jpgfibre cutting sm.jpgj crabtree sm.jpgjohn crabtree and sons wigan st billhead jan 6 2011 sm-c53.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 6 sm-c10.jpgview from crabtrees 2 sm.jpgwater lane wigan st 1891 sm.jpgwater lane wigan st 1932 sm.jpgcrabtrees wigan st new years day 2011 image 2 sm.jpgcrabtree cellar jan 6 2011 sm.jpgcrabtrees wigan st new years day 2011 image 1 sm.jpgjohn crabtree and sons wigan jan 6 2011 image 1 sm.jpgjohn crabtree and sons wigan jan 6 2011 image 2 sm.jpgjohn crabtree and sons wigan jan 6 2011 image 3 sm.jpgjohn crabtree and sons wigan st billhead jan 6 2011 sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 1 sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 10 sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 11 sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 12 sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 13 sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 2 jls stairs sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 2 sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 3 sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 4 sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 6 sm.jpgstockton wools wigan st bradford december 29 2010 image 7 sm.jpg

I can find very little information regarding this building located on the corner of Water Lane and Wigan Street.  In the 1903 directory it lists the building as Davies Edwards and Co, engineers Water Lane Works.  Herman Spitz a cloth weaver is also identified as occupying some of the site.  Having located maps at Bradford central library it would appear the development was built on the footprint of an old iron foundry.  In later life John Crabtree and Sons made it their place of business.  In more recent years it would appear to have been utilised as both a garage and a chicken farm located on the top floor.  Evidence of John Crabtree and his work within the woollen industry are commonplace around the various floor levels.  With regard to John Crabtree the only worthy  information found was in a roll call for the Bradford Pals in the Great War for the first 1000 men to enlist in1914. The list names one of the men as Lieutenant D L Crabtree a son of the late John Crabtree, Bradford Wool Merchant.  This may not be our John Crabtree but possibly his father as sons were often called in their fathers name.