Stoke Road..... Howard Place & Snow Hill

Snow Hill buildings

Howard Place and Snow Hill were part of the Ridgway estate...

The 1852 plan for the development of John Ridgway's estate showed a proposal for villa residences in the area to the north of Wellington Street (now Wellesley Street). It was intended to construct a row of large houses called "Richmond Terrace" fronting Snow Hill. Development began in June 1860 when Alderman John Ridgway notified Hanley Borough Council of his intention to lay out "Richmond Terrace". (John Ridgway died  soon after, in December 1860).

Most of the land was taken by Thomas Ford a china manufacturer with works in nearby Cannon Street. (The Cannon Street works was started in 1854 by the Ford family. In 1904 was sold by Charles Ford to J.A. Robinson & Sons Ltd).

Thomas Ford immediately began to build a large house, later called 'The Hollies',

to the right - Thomas Ford's house. "The Hollies"

The Hollies was bought by Taylor Ashworth who described himself in the 1881 census as "Cotton Spinner, Woollen manufacturer, Ironstone and China Manufacturer". He renamed the house 'Sunny Bank House' and was still living there in 1907. 

This property and the next door house are now used as Hanley Masonic Hall.

'Richmond Villa' from Snow Hill

The house next to Ford's was built for a Charles M Osmond, a schoolmaster, who came from Salisbury in Wiltshire. It was completed in 1861 and advertised as a 'commercial academy' for male pupils.

By 1865 Charles Osmond had a new house built behind Richmond Villa (see next page) and after Osmond moved Richmond Villa was occupied by a Mr. James William Pankhurst. 
Pankhurst was an earthenware manufacturer (from 1850-82) with works in Charles Street and Old Hall Street, Hanley. By 1879 Pankhurst had moved to Barlaston and Richmond Villa was taken by Selina Clementson, a widow aged 55. 

Arthur Moody, physician, was the owner ten years later and he was still the occupier in 1907 when he was elected president of the Hanley Liberal Club. He was also medical referee for the Miners Federation until his death in 1919.

Snow Hill Houses

Examples of the large houses built in Snow Hill

Snow Hill Sign - on the end house