Photographs of Hebden Horse Level and Smithy Hill

This is a collection of photographs of items of historical interest which may be found in the township of Hebden. I would like to thank Chris Foster in particular for devoting so much of his time and his photographic expertise to the project.

Note: This is work in progress, and there are many items around the village that we are intending to add in the next few weeks. However, if you have anything in your house or possession that you would like to share, please let us know. Those old bottles and signs all have their own story to tell.

Click on a thumbs to see a larger image. You can see a description of the photograph by hovering your mouse over its image, and a fuller one is displayed as a caption under photograph larger image. When displaying a large image you may go the previous and next images by use of the displayed controls, or using your keyboard arrow keys. Click on the large image or the ESC key to return to the gallery. Thanks to Torstein Hønsi for the use of his Highslide JavaScript software which has been used in the development of this page.

General view of Smithy Hill, which is a platform of spoil of material excavated from the Horse Level
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner  See location

Mine building on Smithy Hill, with the entrance to the Horse Level to the right
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner  See location

The leat (midway up the slope) from Thors Gill Beck (left) to the waterwheel reservoir (right)
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner  See location

The reservoir to feed the Hebden Horse Level waterwheel with the mine building beyond
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner  See location

The Hebden Horse Level wheel pit, which carried a 35' diameter (originally) breastshot waterwheel.
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner  See location

Bolts, probably used for holding the air compressor, above Hebden Horse Level wheel pit.
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner  See location

The tail race exit from the Hebden Horse Level waterwheel below Smithy Hill
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner  See location

Entrance to Hebden Horse Level, excavated for 2½ km to under Jack Cabin Top to the N-W
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner  See location

Hebden Horse Level - Entrance passage (a designated air raid shelter in WW2) looking out
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner  See location

Hebden Horse Level - Dam built for the fish farm inside the entrance
Date: 1980s. Photographer: John Gardner  See location

An alcove in the wall of the Hebden Horse Level passage
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: Peter Hodge  See location

Hebden Horse Level passage
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: Peter Hodge  See location

Hebden Horse Level passage - an area of collapse
Date: late-1870s? Photographer: Jacqui Todd  See location

The rail track in the interior of Hebden Horse Level
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: Peter Hodge  See location

A spike used to support compressed air pipes through Hebden Horse Level
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: Peter Hodge  See location

A shothole made by a compressed air drill in Hebden Horse Level
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: Peter Hodge  See location

(16 images)