1815
Tower mill built
The five-storey brick tower mill was built as a corn mill.
Site overview
Thorne Mill, also known as Oates' Mill, is a former corn tower mill on North Eastern Road in Thorne. It was built in the early nineteenth century, with 1815 given as its construction date. The five-storey truncated tower is built of tarred red brick and has a cogged band beneath the parapet.
The mill became steam powered from about 1880 and was later disused. It was Grade II listed in 1987 and has since been refurbished for residential use. It is the last surviving windmill of several formerly known in Thorne.
Map
Map markers and directions links are provided for location reference only and do not indicate public access or permission to enter a site.
No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Thorne Mill was built as a wind-powered corn mill on North Eastern Road, immediately east of the junction with Millfield Road. It is also known as Oates' Mill, after the last miller, and was previously known as Gravil's and Priestley's. The mill was built in the early nineteenth century, with 1815 given as its construction date.
It is a five-storey truncated cone of tarred red brick. The south side has stone steps to a boarded door, with boarded double doors above, while putlog holes around the tower at first-floor level mark the former position of a jettied walkway. The tower has segmental-headed windows, a cogged band to the parapet wall, and a later brick water tank above.
Steam power was introduced from about 1880. By the time of listing in 1987 the mill was disused, but it was later refurbished for residential use. It remains a Grade II listed building and is the last surviving mill of the group of windmills formerly known in Thorne.
Timeline
1880
Steam power introduced
Steam power was in use at the mill from about 1880.
1987
Grade II listing
The tower mill was designated as a Grade II listed building.
1987
Residential refurbishment
After listing, the disused tower mill was refurbished for residential use.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Industrial History Online site record
Historic England Research Records
British Listed Buildings entry
Industrial History of South Yorkshire gazetteer
Industrial History Online site record
Historic England Research Records
British Listed Buildings entry
Industrial History of South Yorkshire gazetteer