Lancaster Canal

Lancaster Canal…

Benjamin Franklin (one of the Founding Fathers of the United States) visited the home of General John Burgoyne, Preston M.P. 1768-92, at Cooper Hill, Church Brow, Walton-le-Dale in 1771 and 1775. It is believed that he fixed the first lightning conductor in England to the wall of this house.

The Unicorn Inn, a 17^th century building (now known as Pinocchio's Restaurant) was the posting station used by Parliamentary troops during the English Civil War. The Unicorn Inn was said to be the headquarters of Oliver Cromwell during the battle of Preston. It was later the meeting place of the Jacobites in the area. Thomas Cowpe, a Walton man who joined the Jacobites in 1715, was later hanged at Gallows Hill in Preston. His grave is in St Leonard's churchyard.

There are very few industries now left in the village of Walton le Dale. Massy Feeds, who acquired their Mill from Dalgety in 1999, being the largest employer. Well known firms such as Atkinson's Vehicles, Haworth and Airey, J. A. Ley, Calvert's Cotton Mill and Hankin's Haulage have changed, closed down or left the area. Some of the old buildings are being used for new enterprises and the new complex of stores (The Capitol Centre) along the new London Way bypass has altered the area significantly in recent years.