Colston House, Colston Drive, Burley in Wharfedale
Built circa 1878 probably by Thomas Emsley (1816-1885) as part of his scheme to develop up-market villa-type housing, from Moor Lane through to Ben Rhydding along Colston Drive.
One of the first residents was William Rouse (1849-1901), followed by his brother Herbert Rouse (1856-1919). They had family connections to Thomas Emsley. William & Herbert Rouse's father William Rouse jnr (1809-1868) was the brother of David Rouse (1811-1852), who was married to Thomas Emsley's sister, Ann Emsley (1822-1897).
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[Note: in the 1881 census the house is listed as Coldstone House.]
Coldstone Beck runs from Burley Moor down through the Moorville estate, then across the fields in front of the property towards Moor Lane. The water was unfit to use, as effluent from Moorville contaminated it. (Rushy Beck runs from Burley Moor behind the property & on to Burley in Wharfedale). Thomas Emsley, constructed his own water supply - later called Hartley's Reservoir - for use by Colston House, his own residence at Burley Grange / The Grange & for his future housing developments on the Colston House Estate. |
The Colston House Estate at the time of Thomas Emsley's death in 1885 included Colston House, Colston Lodge, Rose Farm, Stead Hall Farm, High Stead, Stead Farm, Low House, Gib Field, Crag House plus a strip of land up to the Calf & Calf rocks on Ilkley Moor.
1891 census - Colston - Herbert Rouse (Worsted Spinner & Manufacturer) wife Minnie Earle Rouse (nee Hodson)(1865-1933), daughter Dorothy G Rouse (1886-1955), a guest and 5 servants.
1893 - Herbert Rouse put the contents of Colston House up for sale & moved to Weston, Otley. Whereupon his brother William Rouse moved back in.
William Rouse remained upto his death in 1901.
1893 - Herbert Rouse put the contents of Colston House up for sale & moved to Weston, Otley. Whereupon his brother William Rouse moved back in.
William Rouse remained upto his death in 1901.
1901 - 1918 Colston was occupied by Richard Moore (Wool Merchant) & his son Arthur Moore and various servants.
Research on-going to find out who rented & occupied Colston House between 1918 and 1941.
(According to the Electoral Rolls of this period - 1923 – 1934 Dr Charles Donaldson Law and 1925 – 1934 Herbert Baul were residents. Both of whom worked at Scalebor Park Hospital).
(According to the Electoral Rolls of this period - 1923 – 1934 Dr Charles Donaldson Law and 1925 – 1934 Herbert Baul were residents. Both of whom worked at Scalebor Park Hospital).
1939 Colston House was requisitioned by the War Office. For who & for what purpose isn't currently known.
1941 Lt Col Rouse puts the Colston House estate up for sale. The estate at this time consisted of Colston House & at least 6 farms plus 3 woods. (Thomas Emsley's legacy).
1945 Colston House up for sale.
1947 The Milk Marketing Board (established 1933) purchases Colston House & 42 acres of land.
1949 Milk Marketing Board opens its first cattle breeding centre in Yorkshire at Colston House. The artificial insemination centre housed 14 bulls - 7 Fresians, 4 Shorthorn & 3 Ayrshire.
The site & the house was expanded, adapted and converted over the years to provide housing for about 90 bulls plus laboratory facilities and accommodation for various employees.
The site & the house was expanded, adapted and converted over the years to provide housing for about 90 bulls plus laboratory facilities and accommodation for various employees.
Colston House stockmen left to right: Steve Hollins, Johnny Horsley, Steve Dibb, Ian Head - Info courtesy of Michelle Head.
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1994 Milk Marketing Board abolished. The artificial insemination services stationed at Colston House become part of Genus PLC.
1998 Genus PLC closes the centre at Colston House & puts the whole site up for sale.
The sale includes a substantial stone house, sub-divided into flats, offices and laboratories, two modern three-bedroom detached houses, a large range of modern general purpose farm buildings adapted for bull housing and four fields of productive grassland covering in all 42.48 acres.
1999 Colston House & its associated buildings cleared & replaced by 4 detached houses. The bull sheds are demolished & the site cleared & returned to grass.
The sale includes a substantial stone house, sub-divided into flats, offices and laboratories, two modern three-bedroom detached houses, a large range of modern general purpose farm buildings adapted for bull housing and four fields of productive grassland covering in all 42.48 acres.
1999 Colston House & its associated buildings cleared & replaced by 4 detached houses. The bull sheds are demolished & the site cleared & returned to grass.
Burley Community Library & Burley Archive, Grange Road, Burley in Wharfedale, West Yorkshire England LS29 7HD
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Burley Archive & Local History Group: Drop-In Sessions Friday 2.30pm to 4.30pm. For other times please contact us