The Yard Works was established in Preston by 1808. It was a collection of factories and warehouses that had been built over the previous 17 years. John Horrocks built the first factory on this site in 1791. This was a spinning mill called the Yellow Factory, which made cotton yarn. The yarn that was made in the factories was given to handloom weavers who lived in nearby cottages. The weavers then made the cloth that Horrockses sold.

John Horrocks also built a mansion on the site near to the Yellow Factory. This was called Golden Square. This house became the manager’s house for the Yard Works. In 1808 Thomas Miller, Senior, was living in Golden Square.

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