1866
Pipe-laying and water-tank land agreed
The Owen family of the Lawton estate granted Thomas Melling permission to lay pipes and acquire land for a high-level water tank.
Site overview
The coordinates identify the Water Tower at Turris Heah, Mill Lane, Rainhill. Historic England records it as a Grade II listed building, first listed on 15 October 2010 and amended on 1 September 2011. It is not evidenced as a windmill in the consulted sources.
The structure was built around 1870 by Thomas Melling, owner of an iron foundry and the Rainhill Gas and Water Works, after land was purchased from the Owen family of the Lawton estate. It was intended to provide a high-level water tank for the local population. The tower is built of red sandstone with ashlar dressings, has a flat cast-iron roof and two storeys, and is detailed in an Italianate manner.
Its significance is recorded as both architectural and historic, reflecting the need for clean public water as Rainhill developed from village to small township after the railway.
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
The site at the supplied coordinates is the Water Tower at Turris Heah on Mill Lane, Rainhill. The structure is recorded by Historic England as a Grade II listed building with list entry number 1394600. It was first listed on 15 October 2010 and the entry was amended on 1 September 2011.
Historic England describes it as a water tower built around 1870 by Thomas Melling. Melling was owner of an iron foundry and the Rainhill Gas and Water Works. The land on which the tower stands was acquired from the Owen family of the Lawton estate after an 1866 agreement allowed Melling to lay pipes on the estate and acquire land for a high-level water tank.
The tower supplied the local population of Rainhill. Architecturally it is a two-storey red sandstone structure with ashlar dressings, a flat cast-iron roof and Italianate detailing, including round-headed openings with relief ashlar surrounds. Historic England lists it for architectural quality as a rare early non-municipal water tower, and for historic interest as evidence of the public water supply needs of Rainhill as the settlement grew following the arrival of the railway.
The consulted sources do not identify the structure as a windmill.
Timeline
1870
Water tower constructed at Turris Heah
Thomas Melling built the red sandstone water tower at about this date to provide water for Rainhill.
2010
Water tower listed Grade II
The Water Tower at Turris Heah was added to the National Heritage List for England at Grade II.
2011
List entry amended
Historic England records an amendment to the listed-building entry on this date.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry: Water Tower at Turris Heah, Mill Lane
Rainhill Civic Society article: Rainhill Water Tower
St Helens listed buildings register
Rainhill Civic Society article: Rainhill Water Tower
St Helens listed buildings register