OLDHAM, an ancient parochial chapelry and market-town, and modern municipal and parliamentary borough, is situated in the hundred of Salford, in the county of Lancaster, distant 7 miles N.E. from Manchester, and 186 miles N.N.W. from London. In the neighbouring hills are the sources of the rivers Medlock and Irk, which pass through the town, and supply moving power to many of the mills.
Oldham is built upon an eminence, and is difficult of access by highways. It has no canal, nor was there any railway accommodation till the year 1842, when a branch was made from the Manchester and Leeds line; this is a great advantage to the district, although its utility is impaired by a steep incline of 1 in 26. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, trade has rapidly extended, a fact which may be accounted for by the existence of vast fields of coal beneath and near the town.
For a long period Oldham has been distinguished for the manufacture of hats, a distinction which it maintained till the early part of the present century, when the use of silk instead of beaver considerably diminished the demand, and induced many of the work-people to seek employment in other branches. As little capital is required for the production of silk hats, the trade is now largely distributed over the country. A few extensive establishments still exist here, one of which obtained the highest prize in this department at the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Another important branch of industry is the iron trade, the growth of which has greatly contributed to the prosperity of the place, there being several large works giving employment to upwards of 4000 persons. The principal one, that of Platt Brothers and Co., in which 3000 men and boys find constant occupation, and receive £130,000 per annum in wages.
Cotton manufacture is the staple trade, there being within the borough, in 1856, 96 mills, with steam-engines of 3400 horse-power, and employing 7906 men and boys, and 8635 women and girls, or a total of 16,541 hands.
Oldham was incorporated in 1849, and is governed by a mayor, 8 aldermen, and 24 councillors. Formerly its sanitary condition was exceedingly defective, the streets ill paved, and the supply of water scanty. Improvements are going on rapidly, and since the water-works have been purchased by the corporation, an increased quantity equal to a million and a half of gallons daily has been secured, which will be sufficient to meet the growing wants of the town for many years to come.
For educational purposes many private schools exist; there is also a most efficient blue-coat school for the instruction and support of 120 orphan boys, endowed by Thomas Henshaw, an opulent hat-manufacturer, who, in 1808, bequeathed for the purpose £40,000. At his death, in 1810, his heirs filed a bill in chancery, praying that the will might be set aside on the ground of the alleged insanity of the testator. This led to protracted litigation, which terminated in favour of the school. During this time the property bequeathed had accumulated to upwards of £100,000. By local subscriptions a handsome and capacious building was erected, where, since 1834, nearly 700 orphan boys have enjoyed the comforts of home, and received a substantial English education; many of whom are now filling respectable positions in society. There are several mechanics' institutions; the principal one, the Lyceum, a large and beautiful structure erected at a cost of £1,6000, and opened in July 1856, is supported mainly by working men. In the evening classes about 450 operatives receive the elements of a sound English education, with French, Latin, and the higher branches of mathematics, great proficiency being often attained, particularly in the latter study. There are also several national and British schools, and the Sunday-schools contain 12,500 children.
Amongst the public buildings, besides the blue-coat school and the lyceum, is a handsome town-hall, a capacious working-man's hall, and ample and well-arranged public baths. Parochially Oldham is united to Prestwick. The parish church, dedicated to St Mary, is an imposing modern structure, besides which there are eight other churches, four Independent chapels, two Wesleyan, one Roman Catholic, and a large number of places of worship belonging to different Protestant dissenting communities.
Since the passing of the Reform Act it returns two members to Parliament. The population amounted to 12,024 in 1801; to 16,690 in 1811; to 21,662 in 1821; to 32,381 in 1831; to 42,595 in 1841; and to 52,818 in 1851. The annual value of rateable property in 1692 was £287; in 1857, £166,815.