In 1887, John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles described Houghton le Spring like this:
Houghton-le-Spring, market town, par., and township, N. Durham, 6½ miles NE. of Durham and 262 from London - par., 15,342 ac., pop. 35,333; township and town, 1551 ac., pop. 6041; P.O., T.O., 3 Banks. Market-day, Friday. Houghton is situated at the head of a fine vale, and sheltered by hills on the north and east. The church is ancient, and contains the tomb of Bernard Gilpin (1517-1583), the "Apostle of the North," who founded a grammar school here. The prosperity of the town depends mainly on the success of numerous coal mines in the neighbourhood.
Houghton le Spring through time
Houghton le Spring is now part of Sunderland district. Click here for graphs and data of how Sunderland has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Houghton le Spring itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Houghton le Spring, in Sunderland and County Durham | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/787
Date accessed: 05th November 2024
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