Stanton Company Ironworks (SLHS IWB 008)
| Photo ID #: | 1918 | |
| Description: | Photograph shows site layout and tramlines in the Ironworks 1949 | |
| Category: | Ironworks - Stanton | |
| Location: | Riddings, Iron Works | |
| Date Range: | ||
In 1802, James Oakes formed Oakes & Co., in a partnership with Saxelby, Edwards & Forester and took full control in 1809, after buying the others out. By 1806 the ironworks had the highest rate of pig-iron production in Derbyshire with 1,450 tons a year coming from the firms single furnace, far outstripping their nearest rivals Butterley's 883 tons. The site was named Alfreton Ironworks, but later renamed as Riddings Ironworks as it was in the parish of Riddings.
James Oakes became very prosperous expanding the ironworks site, as well as opening coal & iron ore mines and brickworks. Oake built houses for his workers at Riddings insisting that they had large gardens so they could grow their own vegetables. He built his own residence, Riddings House and became the untitled 'Lord of the Manor.'