Elsecar Ironworks

The Ironworks opened in 1795 on a site near the head of the Elsecar Branch of the Dearne and Dove Canal.

The canal, opened to service the coal mines, was extended a short distance to a new basin nearer the ironworks.

A little further away, atop the hill to the west, was built the Milton Ironworks, working in the same market place as its rival.

From its opening in February 1850 the works and collieries were connected to the Elsecar Branch of the South Yorkshire Railway giving easy access to the wharves on the River Trent at Keadby.

In due time this enabled the companies to obtain ironstone from the Scunthorpe fields, which were rediscovered in 1859.