Haslingden

"HASLINGDEN, a township, chapelry, and market town in the parish of Whalley, lower division of the hundred of Blackburn, county Lancaster, 9 miles N. of Bury, and 10 N.W. of Burnley. It has a station on the East Lancashire railway, which passes near to the town, and has also a telegraphic station. This place is situated in the midst of a hilly district on the border of the Forest of Rossendale. The town, which is situated on the old road from Bury to Burnley, is a very ancient market town, but has recently been much modernised. The more ancient portion is situated on the acclivity of the hill, and is irregularly built, the principal street being Church-street. The modern portion is built at the foot of the hill, bearing an incline towards the valley, the leading thoroughfare being Dearden-gate. The townhall is a stone building, erected in 1852, at the cost of £1,600. Adjoining it is the police station; and in Dearden-gate the mechanics' institution, established in 1855, with news and reading rooms, also library and class-rooms. The workhouse is situated in Lower-lane. The town also contains a brewery, and several cotton and woollen manufactories. The Haslingden Gas and Coke Company's works were erected in 1856, adjoining the railway station. In the vicinity of the town are stone and slate quarries and collieries. Haslingden is the head of a Poor-law Union, embracing ten townships in the parishes of Whalley and Bury, and the seat of superintendent registry and new County Court districts, the latter being held on every other Tuesday. Petty sessions are also held in the townhall once a fortnight. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Manchester, value £275, in the patronage of trustees. The church, dedicated to St. James, is a stone structure, rebuilt in 1780 with a more modern tower containing a peal of eight bells.