Bridsons Bleach Works

The Elephants stood here for 127 years until the demolition of the works in 1977. The owners then William Kay donated them to Bolton in 1978 and one of the pair now stands in the town centre.

The Elephant is part of the Bolton Coat of Arms and if you look closely at some buildings railings and sculptures you will find more references to the Elephant.

Also known as Bolton Bleach Works Bridsons was located on Chorley St the photographer was stood on St Helena St.

 

Updated December 12, 2008 9:26 PM

Timeline

1821 -1822 Thomas Morris

1836 Bridson Ridgway and Co.

1853 Bridson, Ridgway Son and Co.

1884 T R Bridson and Sons. (also at Lever Bank Bleach Works).

1925 T R Bridson and Sons Ltd.

1950 T R Bridson and Sons Ltd + John Young and Co.

1960 Closed. used for a period by the GPO and later demolished.

1985 - 2007 Car Park

Photo above 2007 taken from the same view as the photo on the left

Thomas Ridgway Bridson (1795 - 1863) the owner of this and other bleach works in and around Bolton is the Great Great Great Grandfather of ex prime minister Tony Blair.

Thomas Bridson became a Conservative Mayor of Bolton in 1847 and tried but failed to become a Tory MP in 1849.