Todmorden Town Hall: A Symbol of Unity and History

Located in the heart of Todmorden, the magnificent Todmorden Town Hall stands as a testament to the town's rich history and a symbol of its unique identity. This stunning neo-classical Grade I listed building is not just an architectural marvel but a landmark with a fascinating story.

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A Tale of Two Counties

One of the most remarkable things about Todmorden Town Hall is its origin. It was intentionally built across the historic county boundary of Lancashire and Yorkshire, a deliberate choice to help unite the rivalries between the two areas. Although the boundary was later moved in 1888 to place the entire town within Yorkshire, the hall's dual heritage remains a central part of its story.

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A Grand Opening

The hall's construction was a journey in itself. Originally designed by architect James Green, work was halted in the 1860s due to legal and financial challenges. The project was revived when the prominent Fielden family purchased the land and hall in 1866. They appointed John Gibson of Westminster to redesign the building, and it was finally completed and opened to the public on April 3, 1875, at a cost of £54,000.

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A Timeless Landmark

Todmorden Town Hall's striking design, with its grand columns and intricate details, is a sight to behold. It has been a central part of the community for over a century, hosting countless events and serving as a focal point for the town. Whether you're a history buff or an architecture enthusiast, this iconic building is a must-see landmark in West Yorkshire.

The pictures below were taken on the 28th November 2013 with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

This was taken from the grounds of St Mary's Church, the A646 Halifax Road heading off and the A646 Burnley Road going off towards the left of the picture.

The Yorkshire Bank Branch pictured here was closed in 2017, plans to convert the building to a branch of McDonalds were ongoing in 2019 prior to the Covid 19 Pandemic, these seem to have been abandoned and the building remains unused as of September 2023.

The front of the town hall, St Mary's Church is pictured to the left of the hall.

The rear of the building, again St Mary's Church is visible this time to the right of the hall.

The waterway that once separated the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire ran underneath the hall, people dancing in the halls ballroom could start a dance in one county and finish in the other.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.