A photograph of part of Dale Road, Matlock, taken in the early twentieth century; it shows the Boat House Hotel and the the railway line that used to connect Matlock with London and Manchester. Greatorex's tar boiling works^[1] can be seen quite clearly on the left of the picture and his quarry extends behind the hotel and other buildings.

The footbridge over the River Derwent replaced the ferry boat, which was the only means of crossing the river at this point until 1872. However, the one in the photograph wasn't the first to be built.

In August 1872 the Derby Mercury optimistically welcomed the erection of a strong new bridge. "We are glad to observe that the preliminary massive timber works now spans the river at the junction of Matlock and Harvey Dales, and we expect this useful bridge will soon be completed and opened to facilitate the connection and communication of the many walks, roads, and hamlets which lie on each side of the river"^[2].

Unfortunately, a timber bridge was not strong enough. In early 1881 heavy rain, followed by a rapid thaw of quite a heavy snowfall caused the Derwent to "rise to a great height"... "The bridge connecting Matlock Dale with the town was swept away by the unusual rush and volume of water"^[3]. A short while afterwards the Local Board voted for the bridge's immediate replacement. "A new iron suspension bridge supported by a stone pier on either bank, was erected in February, 1882. The floor of the bridge was raised above the known flood level as to render it safe from future inundations"^[4]. The stone piers were provided free of charge by the Askews and the ironwork cost £240^[4].

References (coloured links go to on site transcripts):

^[1] Job Greatorex advertised extensively in the trade directories of the time. For example, he can be found in Kelly's Directory 1891 | Kelly's Directory 1895 | Kelly's Directory 1899 | Kelly's Directory 1908 | Kelly's Directory 1912 | Kelly's Directory 1916

^[2] "The Derby Mercury", Wednesday, August 7, 1872

^[3] "The Derby Mercury", Wednesday, February 16, 1881

^[4] Bryan, Benjamin (1903) "History of Matlock - Matlock, Manor and Parish" London by Bemrose & Sons, Limited, p.70