Rowton Bridge

This is a photograph of a sketch of Rowton Bridge dating from between 1850-1870. The artist is unknown but it comes from the collection of village memorabilia of Roy Fisher. The cottage was known as the salt box and was built of local sandstone, probably from the quarry in Quarry Lane. It seems that canal boats would deposit supplies of salt at the cottage, and villagers wanting salt for salting meat etc, could obtain it there. The meat could then be kept hanging in dairies during the winters, or perhaps in the village Ice House situated at the bottom of the wood near Hen Davarn, to the right of the main entrance way to Christleton High School. It is said that this route through the village was once used by travellers wishing to avoid the Toll Gate opposite Christleton Bank (The Abbott’s Well). Perhaps the large posts at the foot of the bridge indicate that there was once a toll gate there. The gate on the left probably leads down a track, which is now known as Skip’s Lane.
David Cummings

First appeared in St. James' Parish Magazine, January 2002