Why is Halfway called Halfway?

[Grahame]

No you wouldn't. You'd go from Killamarsh to Clowne, and nowhere near Halfway.

Remember that Halfway was a coaching Inn and you need to think about the road network as it was then. Many a Parkman Lane has fallen into disuse, and because stage couches couldn't cope with the hills especially when going down hill they had to take a circuitous round the base of a hill rather than going up-and-over. Remember that roads like Rivelin Valley Road had not been built and everyone used to go over Stannington and down Rails Road to get to Moscar. You will find the answer by looking at the old maps and this is the sort of site that can provide the information you are looking for.

 

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mossvalley/mv2/rl/highways1.html

 

The Library did a very good leaflet on turnpike roads and I remember that the road from Rotherham was through Attercliffe and the Wicker where they changed horses at the Tontin on Waingate (gate being the way in like Fargate, Moorgate, and Lydgate Lane) then they continued on along the Moor to Heely where they turned left somewhere near Meersbrook and got onto the Mosborough road from there. Not quite sure of the exact route.

 

So anyway looking at a modern map can give the wrong picture. The toll houses would provide a good indication of the main routes, but it is no good guessing no matter how sensible it may seem. One very well known route was through Attercliffe to Tinsley and then to Bawtry which was our nearest port giving access to the sea. All our goods were transported along there including the wool and cloth from the Wakefield area. It is a fascinating subject to study.

[Grahame]

I have just read this. I wonder if it has any bearing on the subject in hand?

 

A main road is depicted running from London to the Yorkshire Richmond. Passing through Rutlandshire to Nottingham, it proceeds by way of Mansfield, Clown, Barlbro', Killamarsh, Aughton, Packman's Bridge (a significant name), and Whiston, to Rotherham, entering that town by Moorgate. There it crosses the bridge over the Don, and continues northward, through Greasbro'; and Wombwell, to Barnsley.

[Grahame]

This is what I meant by the route out of Sheffield.

 

Up to within a few years of that time the drives through Sheffield Park, which extended nearly to Handsworth and Gleadless, had afforded the best, and most direct, exit easterly and southerly. But these were private, and could be used only on sufferance. For travellers lacking permission, or unwilling to pay tribute to the gatekeepers, the alternative was "an ancient high road" by Little Sheffield, Heeley, and Newfield Green, to Gleadless Moor. This route was so roundabout and bad, "beinge worne very deep", that, additionally stimulated by increased exclusion from the Park, the people of the countryside affected were, in 1692, driven to claim a right of way through the ducal domain to Sheffield market. They failed; but the evidence of old inhabitants called before Commissioners appointed to adjudicate throws a strong light on the deplorable and almost impassable state of Newfield Green. As this testimony is given in Hunter's Hallamshire, I need not repeat the details now.* It is enough to know that the deepness of the ruts and the severity of the hills made this road a thing to be dreaded by carriers and pack-horses, and by all who were compelled to pass that way.

[Grahame]

We find his Lordship's cavalcade starting down Dixon Lane, crossing the Sheaf Bridge, at its foot, passing the old Shrewsbury Hospital on its left, and striking up the Park Hill on a line now represented by South Street.* That led to the Arbourthorne lane — for the Intake road was, of course, of much later date. The Manor, whose splendid position and melancholy abandonment was remarked by the travellers, was seen at some distance on the left. The wide expanse of Birley Hollings (Hollins End) covered by stunted holly trees, used for the wintering of sheep,** struck Mr. Thomas as admirably adapted for a park to supply the Duke of Norfolk with deer, in place of that which he had "converted to better advantage" near the town. As to the rest of the journey, it is only necessary to say that, after finding the roads between Clown and Worksop Manor so impassable as to necessitate deviations through enclosed fields, Welbeck House was reached.

[Lestat]

Oh my goodness! Such a simple question turned into such a long thread, so many debates and even name-calling arguements!! ha ha!

 

It's obviously half way to somewhere, most likely between Rotherham & Chesterfield from what I gather.

 

Now there's this place I know called Midway....

[fox20thc]

sorry - i cannot fathom out the thing where you get the other persons post that you are replying to in your post??????? HELP! Is it the reply with quote?

 

yes Lauren

[Grahame]

Now there's this place I know called Midway....

Now would that be:-

 

Midway Doors

http://www.midwaydoors.co.uk/midway_main.htm

 

 

Midway House, York

http://www.midwayhouseyork.co.uk/

 

 

Midway Boats.

http://www.midwayboats.co.uk/

 

 

Midway Island

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWmidway.htm

 

 

Or Midway Airport

http://www.skytraxsurveys.com/Airports/MDW.htm

 

[alchresearch]

Was Clowne a more important town in the past than Chesterfield?

[Lestat]

Now would that be:-

Midway Doors

http://www.midwaydoors.co.uk/midway_main.htm

Midway House, York

http://www.midwayhouseyork.co.uk/

Midway Boats.

http://www.midwayboats.co.uk/

Midway Island

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWmidway.htm

Or Midway Airport

http://www.skytraxsurveys.com/Airports/MDW.htm

 

 

PMSL!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHH!!!!

[cdcreative]

I read through the whole of post and living in Halfway, I did find it quite interesting. Thanks to all you history buffs our there for shedding light on this.

 

I will sleep well tonight.