Halls & Houses on Moorgate
My Ordnance Survey map of 1901 shows a number of very nice houses, halls and granges, with substantial gardens and surrounded by fields and woods along Moorgate. Many of these were built in the 19th Century for the posh folks who no longer wanted to live in the middle of town. These are houses I know a little about but there were many other very nice properties indeed; Woodside, Moorland, Carnforth House with its range of glasshouses, South Grove House demolished to make way for South Grove School, which in its turn has made way for Moorgate Crofts Technology Park. The vicarage was a most substantial building still in use when I worked in Beatson Clark's offices next door in the early 1970s - we used to eavesdrop on the garden parties. It was sold and became, for a time, offices for an insurance company. After that it was unoccupied and vandalised. In 2007 the Vicarage has been redeveloped into apartments and more have been built in the gardens.
Lane End House, Sitwell Vale
I think this was belonged to Charles Rhodes who was a mining engineer. Down a private lane it still exists today.
Moorgate Grange
I've been doing a bit more reading and found mention of a Moorgate Grange which was home to John Guest, partner in Guest and Chrimes. By 1901 it was occupied by the Chrimes family.
Moorgate Hall
A hall existed on the site right on the southern edge of town overlooking the Town Moor in Elizabethan times. William West, lawyer, legal adviser to the Feoffees of Rotherham and seneschal and chief steward of the Earl of Shrewsbury's South Yorkshire manors lived here until 1594. Obviously a man with a bob or two. His son, Francis West, was the next occupant.
The property was sold to Charles Tooker in 1627 and a new Moorgate Hall was built in on the site. The Tookers of Moorgate Hall had a smithy and steel furnaces nearby in the 17th Century (probably cementation furnaces).
In 1764 the architect John Platt was commissioned to provide 'stables & offices for Mr Tooker' at Moorgate Hall. The house was extensively remodelled by the in 1768 who designed the frontage of five bays, two storeys with a pedimented third storey in the centre. Many many original features including the staircase were retained and building now has has listed status.
There were extensive grounds on either side of Moorgate which were connected by a tunnel under the road. I believe that Moorgate Hall and Moorgate Hall Farm were owned and occupied by the Heywood family in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The hall remained a private house until 1986, very private indeed behind its screen of trees - in fact so private I had absolutely no idea it was there. Anne-Marie has been in touch and this should in fact be Haywood. Roger Haywood, son of George Haywood who was co-founder of Yates & Haywood Iron works resided there.
In 1988 the Lancashire and Yorkshire Assurance Society was in occupation at Moorgate Hall. I can only find mention of this company on the web with reference to closed life funds so it has either shut down or been taken over. I'm not at all sure who own or uses Moorgate Hall today. I've found mention of a Moorgate Hall Company at the address who provide, or provided, Professional and Management Services.
Moorgate House
This became a children's home in the days when orphaned children were still sent to orphanages. A school friend lived here for several years after her parents were killed in a car accident. I seem to remember that it was only for children of secondary school age, so her brother and sister who were much younger lived in another children's home on the other side of town. She was only able to see them under supervision and from time to time. Such was the commitment to keeping families together.
Red House, Sitwell Vale
One of three very nice houses built at Sitwell Vale. It was erected between 1878 and 1880 for Thomas W Badger a member of a well-known Rotherham family, prominent in legal circles. Thomas Badger got himself into financial difficulties, a really queer street, and fled the country in 1882. The house was sold to William H Micklethwait and the Micklethwaits lived there until 1932. It was empty until was occupied by the National Fire service during the Second World War. This, Sitwell House and the land in between were bought by the United Steel Company in 1946. I believe that the house was demolished. Wrong! It's still there and has been renovated for use as a conference centre.
Rotherstoke
Rotherstoke was built for George Haywood co-founder of Yates & Haywood.
Swinden House, Moorgate
My map dated 1903 shows Sitwell House as one of three very nice house built at Sitwell Vale. This, Red House and the land in between were bought by the United Steel Company in 1946. It was renamed Swinden House after first director of research, Dr T Swinden. Swinden House was a research centre for the next 60 years, changing ownership in 1995 to British Steel PLC, and then again in 1999 to Corus PLC. In 2005 NAMTEC (The National Metals Technology Centre) moved into Swinden House which has been refurbished offering training and conference facilities.
I think that the present Swinden House, which is a Grade II listed Victorian property is the building previously called Sitwell House. Seems to be in the same position despite the name change; Wikipedia has it that it was the Red House but I don't think so! Message from Jane:-
"Reading up on Red House, Moorgate. Just to confirm that the house now known as Swinden House, was indeed formerly Red House. The entry on the Rotherham website doubts this, but my Grandfather was head gardener there whilst the Micklethwaits still owned the house & also during the 2nd WW years. My grandparents lived in the cottage in the grounds, with my Mum & Auntie."
Whiston Grange
Whiston Grange belonged to Frederick Parker Rhodes, solicitor. It was demolished to make way for a housing estate in the 1970s I think.