Matlock History
Nestled on the River Derwent, Matlock's situation has contributed to much of its rich history, including its role in the industrial revolution. It's first official 'owner' was King Edward the Confessor in 1066. After the Battle of Hastings, it belonged to William the Conqueror and was recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Meslach', but this referred to one of six Hamlets that made up the settlement. The name eventually changed to Matlock, roughly translated as ' an oak where was held the local moot or parliament'. By the end of the 16th century, it was divided into four small villages : Matlock Town, Matlock Green, Matlock Bridge and Matlock Bank. It wasn't until 1698 until thermal springs were discovered in Matlock Bank, an effective catalyst for the unification of the four separate villages into the place we know today.
Throughout the 1800s, hyrdotherapy became a very fashionable way of treating all sorts of ailments.The Romans were the among the first to harness its power in this way, and even today hydrotherapy is still used to treat rheumatism. Locally acclaimed industrialist John Smedley set up the first hydro in Matlock Bath (named for the discovery of the springs) in the 1850s. This brought visitors flocking in from all over the country and abroad, making Smedley an extremely rich man. Even before his expansion into hydrotherapy, Smedley was a wealthy man, working in a mill to create a wide variety of clothing, and his legacy lives on still today: John Smedley has a street named after him as well as a global designer label, and his most flamboyant creation, Riber Castle, a landmark that dominates the skyline almost wherever you are in Matlock. Those who are visiting the town can be forgiven for thinking it is some relic from Medieval times. In actual fact, the famously ostentatious Smedley built it to be his own private home. Most recently, it has appeared in Shane Meadow's hit film 'Dead Man's Shoes', in which most of the action takes place in the castle.
Smedley isn't the only famous historical figure to come out of Matlock. Richard Arkwright, the 17th century businessman acredited with the first water-powered cotton-spinning device, built mills throughout the area. Today, the ruined mills are a historically protected sight, open to the public at all times. These mills represent a very important turning point in the industrial revolution. The machine, christened the 'water-frame' relied on fast-moving rollers, spinning the material, making thin and incredibly strong cotton. Arkwright started life as an apprentice barber, but did not become an entrepreneur until after the death of his first wife, Patience Holt. Despite Arkwright's contributions, there was and still is today some debate over the legitimacy over his status as inventor of the water frame. He was assisted with the water-frame by John Kay, a Warrington clock-maker. Kay had previously worked with Thomas Highs, who was one of the witnesses who testified against Arkwright in 1785, when he was brought to court. With many other cotton manufacturers claiming that Arkwright had stolen their ideas and patented them. Arkwright's patent's were revoked, and although he died with a fortune and a knighthood, no historian has ever been able to discern whether Arkwright's claim to the water-frame was true or not.
Matlock was to be the home of other technological innovations. In 1893, engineer Job Smith devised a cable tramway to carry passengers up Bank Road from Crown Square at Matlock Bridge to Wellington Street, stopping off at Smedley's Hydro along the way.Inspired by the tram system in San Francisco that Job had witnessed first hand, at the time it was the steepest tramway in the world at a gradient of 1 in 5.5, rising 300 feet. The fare was tuppence up, penny down. After 1927, cars and buses were starting to be more of a common sight in Crown Square, so the tram service was forced to close down. Remnants of the tramway can still be seen today. The Crown Square Shelter in Hall Leys Park and the Engine House at the top of Rutland Street are all that remains. One of the three Tramcars is kept in the National Tram Museum in nearby Crich.