Hide

Wigton, Cumberland

hide
Hide

Description from T. Bulmer & Co's History, Topography and Directory of East Cumberland, 1884

History, Topography and Directory of East Cumberland, comprising Its Ancient and Modern History; A General View of its Physical Features; Agricultural Condition, Mines and Minerals; Statistics, &c., &c.
by T.F. Bulmer, T. Bulmer & Co., Manchester, 1884. Transcription by Pauline Robson © 1997


WIGTON.

"The parish of Wigton is situated 11 miles south west of Carlisle on the road to Maryport. Wigton was in existence before the Norman Conquest and in 1262 received its first market charter. Wigton is a market town with mainly Georgian design buildings made of red sandstone. Originally a wooden market cross stood in the centre of the town and it was from here that a bell was rung every market day to announce the commencement of trading. During a bonfire celebration to mark Nelson's victory at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 the cross was burnt down to be replaced by a public pump and lamp. In 1872 the pump was further replaced by a fountain erected by George Moore in memory of his wife Eliza. This impressive memorial fountain is built of granite and contains four bronze sculptures by the Pre-Raphaelite sculptor, Thomas Woolner. Wigton is a town for all people - in the 1800s occupations covered areas such as lawyers, shopkeepers, craftsmen, weavers, and labourers. On the outskirts of Wigton there was much agricultural work on the local farms. One of the local inns the King's Arms Hotel was, in times past, a coaching inn where it is said Charles Dickens stayed in 1857. The inn had it's own post chaises which were painted yellow."
Extract from History, Topography and Directory of East Cumberland, T. Bulmer & Co., Manchester, 1884.
[Transcribed by Pauline Robson in 1997. ]