The Borough of Stockton-on-Tees owes much of its development to the river Tees. In the early 13th century, Yarm was the most prosperous port on the river. Sailing ships brought wine and flax to the town and sheepskins for the tanneries along the river banks. On the return journey salt, agricultural produce and lead from the mines in Swaledale were transported by sea to London and to the north east coastal ports.
With the expansion of the coal trade in the 17th century, Stockton became the major river port when coal was carried to the docks from the Durham coalfield by horse and cart to be shipped to London and overseas.
Captain James Cook born in Marton spent his early years in Great Ayton and Whitby. You can vist a replica of his ship the Endeavour, moored at Castelgate Quay on Stockton's riverside. The Endeavour itself was based upon the design of the coal barques that carried the coal away from the port.
In 1822, Stockton witnessed an event which heralded the dawn of a new era in trade, industry and travel. The first rail of George Stephenson's Stockton and Darlington Railway was laid near St. John's crossing, Bridge Road, Stockton. Hauled by Locomotion No1, the great engineer himself manned the engine on its first journey in 1825. His friend, and rival engineer, Timothy Hackworth acted as Guard. This was the world's first passenger railway. The line also carried coal to the riverside docks, bringing great prosperity to the Stockton area.
Another trademark of the Tees valley has been its iron and steel industry. Between the 1850's and 1920's the sights, sounds and smells of the riverside at Stockton would have been very different from those today. With the supply of coal as fuel, and iron ore from the nearby Cleveland Hills, the flat Tees valley was transformed into 'Steel City'. Huge factories and warehouses dominated the landscape. The population of Stockton, and nearby Middlesbrough grew dramatically as people flocked to find work in the iron, steel and engineering industries.
Much of Stockton's wealth came from the skill of its craftsmen, with shipbuilding playing a major part. One local shipbuilder, Robert Ropner made his fortune here. You can visit his impressive mansion house, Preston Hall near Eaglescliffe. The Hall and surrounding parkland are now a popular museum and park owned and looked after by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
As well as building his family home here, Robert Ropner also gifted a parcel of land near Hartburn to the people of Stockton. The land was laid out as a spectacular Victorian public park, with bandstand, fountain and tree-lined avenues. Today Ropner Park remains one of the finest examples of traditional Victorian municipal landscaping in the north east. Some of the original features have sadly been lost, but a restoration scheme is underway to return the park to its former glory.
Today little remains of the steel or ship building industry in the Stockton area. The river is now a focus for leisure. If you follow the Tees Heritage Trail footpath along the river bank, you may catch a glimpse of some of the old wooden jetties and wharves. Information panels along the way explain how the river has changed.
The Stockton Pioneers
Stockton has links with a range of pioneering characters. Stockton chemist, John Walker holds the distinction of inventing the world's first friction match. However, he failed to patent his recipe, sold under the guise of 'friction lights', and died in 1859 without capitalising on his discovery.
Another eminent figure, furniture designer Thomas Sheraton, has links with the town. Born in Middleton St George in 1751, he lived in stockton from an early age and married at St. Mary's Church, Norton. A Baptist Minister and 'journeyman cabinet maker', he moved to London in 1790, he died in poverty however his elegant designs made him famous after his death. Stockton also boasts the winner of the first ever national beauty contest. Ivy Close was born in Stockton in 1890 and later became the star of many a silent movie. And if that isn't enough, what about motor cyclist 'Flying Freddie' Dixon, still the only man ever to have won the Isle of Man T.T races on two, three and four wheels!
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