| There were more than fifty watermills in the city area by the late
C18th. Several were on the Rea and Hockley Brook. A pool was made
on the Handsworth side (Soho Heath) of the latter for a small mil1
in 1757 : Matthew Boulton leased it and an estate that included Great
Pool (Soho Pool thenceforward). The famous Soho Manufactory was com-pleted
by '65, but there were further large additions until a thousand men
were work-ing for Boulton or renting space and power from him. The
Works became renowned for buttons, 'toys', plate and coinage. In '73
James Watt became Boulton's partner and the firm produced steam engines
for re-cycling pool water for the wheels, later for power in factory
machines. The Mint of '88 lay just inside the present railway yard.
In 1861 the Works were demolished and the millpool drained. Soho and
Shell Pools lasted for another decade. |
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