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Almshouses, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom Unlike many of his contemporaries, Titus Salt was determined to ensure a decent quality of life for his workers, even after they left his employ. In addition to the many educational institutions he built to allow workers to better themselves, he also commissioned the almshouses on Victoria Road. The 45 almshouses were built to provide shelter for those who couldn’t support themselves, such as widows and injured workers. Although preference was given to workers in Salts Mill and their families, anyone of ‘good character’ and unable to support themselves was eligible. Although this was unusually generous by the standards of the time, residents were subject to strict rules on their behaviour and the maintenance of the houses. In what is now No. 29, there was originally a small chapel to save residents walking down to the Congregational Church. On opening it, Salt is reported to have said: 'My sole desire is that you should be happy, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to know that you are so'. -
Bath and Wash House, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom Titus Salt built the Bath and Wash houses in 1863 at a cost of £7000 (over £600,000 today). These housed 24 baths, 12 each for men and women and a Turkish bath. A warm bath would cost 6d. and a cold one 3d. The wash house contained everything people would need to wash and dry their clothes: 48 washing, rinsing and steam tubs, 48 drying closets, a steam dryer and mangles, meaning clothes could be cleaned and dried in under 1 hour. As in the rest of the North of England, the Bath and Wash Houses did not prove popular. People preferred to bathe in the privacy of their own homes and wash clothes in their own kitchen where they could also complete other tasks. The buildings were converted into houses in the late 1800s before being completely demolished in 1936. Today, a community garden has been planted on the site, following consultation with residents in 2011. -
Congregational Sunday School site, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom The Sunday School was the last building constructed in Titus Salt’s lifetime, built on the corner of Caroline Street and Victoria Road. Initially, the site was going to be used for a hotel but it was repurposed for the Sunday School. Salt was a keen proponent of Sunday Schools and lived just long enough to see his own completed. Titus and his wife Caroline attended the opening ceremony but were forced to leave early due to his failing health. His grandson, Harold Salt, opened the Sunday School in May 1876. Sir Titus died in December the same year. The Sunday School was demolished in 1973 and is now a council-run car park.