Everything about Ditherington Flax Mill totally explained
Ditherington Flax Mill, located in
Ditherington, a suburb of
Shrewsbury,
England, is the oldest iron framed building in the world. As such, it's seen as the "grandfather of
skyscrapers", despite being only as tall as a modern five-story building. Its importance was officially recognised in the 1950s, resulting in it becoming a Grade I
listed building. It is also locally known as the "Maltings" from its later use.
It is presently derelict, but is currently in the hands of
English Heritage, who are maintaining it. In the long-term, it's hoped that the building will be able to make sufficient money to be self-supporting, but reaching this stage will require much investment. inspired by the work of
William Strutt. The construction of the mill ran from 1796 to 1797, at a cost (including equipment) of £17000.
The mill was built for
John Marshall of
Leeds, Thomas Benyon, and Benjamin Benyon. The architect, Bage, was also a partner in the venture. This partnership was dissolved in
1804, the mill being retained by John Marshall, who paid off his partners on the basis that it was worth £64000. The other partners built themselves another mill nearby. These two flax mills provided the 'chief manufacture' of Shrewsbury (according to an
1851 directory). The mill closed in
1886, and was sold (with a bleach yard at Hanwood for a mere £3000. The building was then converted to a
maltings (hence its more commonly-used local name), and as a consequence many windows were bricked up. a system which later developed into the modern
steel frame which made skyscrapers possible.
Along with the main Flax Mill, a number of other buildings in the group are listed for their architectural and historic value: the apprentice house (Grade II*); the dye house (Grade II*); the flax dressing building (Grade II*); the flax warehouse (Grade II); the stables (Grade II); and the workshops and offices (Grade II). The mill and buildings are on the
Buildings at Risk Register.
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