When the workmen were building Widdop Reservoir, Lower Gorple & Walshaw Dean, wooden housing (also described as a shanty town) was built for the workmen and theirfamilies. It became known as “Navvyopolis”, the site was opened around 1871. Contemporary reports described it as

3 rows of one-storey wooden houses. Each house is occupied by one family, and each may take up to 8 lodgers. Peat is used as fuel. No dogs may be kept. Many houses own chickens and one or more pigs. The Tommy Shop sells food and household goods

Around 1872, a reading room was built. This was later used as a school-room, and Sunday services were held in the room. Later, a day school [for children] and a night school [for the men] was set up.

I think it sounds amazing- Remeniscent of the Western films I grew up with – John Wayne, Bette Davis, homesteads, horses, guns, cruelty, hard work, saloons, dodgy mines, steam trains, hangings, death

A lot of the above has echoes in the social history of this landscape- there are some photos and elevation drawings of the bridge(s) and tracks bilt for the steam railway that brought building materials up to the reservoir sites. IU remember seeing these years ago in The Packhorse pub. I have tried to get more info about Navvyopolis .

I’ll start collecting tumbleweed material.