Research Projects
Blackhall Colliery and Village (Part 1)- Early history
by Dru Trenholm
Early History
People had lived in the Blackhalls area for centuries. Neolithic Stone Age settlements were near Dene Holme, Crimdon Dene, in an area above the caves at Blackhall Rocks and the nearby Coast Road. About 20,000 Stone Age relics were collected from these sites in the early part of the 20th Century. In 1916, a Saxon grave was found on the cliff tops at Blackhall Rocks. The body of an immature person had been placed in a rough cist (coffin or burial chamber) made up of large slabs of local magnesian limestone and also found were two small yellow beads of fused opaque glass.
The area surrounding Blackhall consisted of small estates run by local gentry. Under the Normans, Hardwick Hall was built and although ravaged by the Scots in 1315, it became the home of the Maire family and for over 200 years maintained Jesuit Priests and a chapel. This was all done in secrecy – a priest’s hide is still in evidence today. The Hall became a dispersal point for Catholic priests smuggled along our coastline at Blackhall Rocks, Blue House Gill and Dene Holme from seminaries in France. In 1758 Rowland Burdon III purchased Castle Eden estates which included the Castle at Castle Eden, Hardwick Hall, tenant farms, etc. Hardwick Hall with its links from the past was to become the home of the agent of Horden Collieries Limited in 1910.
After the closure of the Colliery, the Hall eventually became the home of the Bradley family and is now a restaurant and hotel. The Castle at Castle Eden was purchased by the National Coal Board and used as their offices. After that it was bought by private enterprise to be made into apartments but to date is still empty.
This is part of a series of projects, others are listed below:
Blackhall Colliery and Village (Part 2) - Industrialisation
Blackhall Colliery and Village (Part 3) - Sinking of the shaft
Blackhall Colliery and Village (Part 4) - Housing and employment
Blackhall Colliery and Village (Part 5) - The village
Blackhall Colliery and Village (Part 6) - Post war years
Blackhall Colliery and Village (Part 7) - Full circle
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© 2003 Trenholm, Dru
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