Copperhouse Hayle: A History Etched in Copper

  

The very name "Copperhouse" whispers of a rich industrial past. Nestled in Hayle, Cornwall, this area wasn't always a charming town. For much of the 18th and 19th centuries, Copperhouse pulsed with the fiery heart of copper smelting.

The Rise of a Copper Giant

The story begins in 1756 with the arrival of the Cornish Copper Company (CCC), established by Messrs. Sandys, Carne, and Vivian. They set up a mighty smelting operation with a staggering 26 furnaces on the banks of the Hayle estuary. Here, copper ore, extracted from nearby mines, was transformed into the valuable metal that would fuel industry and innovation.

Copperhouse wasn't alone in its pursuit of copper riches. Across the estuary, a fierce competitor, Harvey's Foundry, thrived. This friendly rivalry, sometimes escalating to full-blown disputes, fueled the growth of Hayle. The town boomed, with separate communities emerging around each foundry – Copperhouse to the east and Foundry to the west.

A Port fit for a King (of Copper)

The copper boom necessitated a robust port. Hayle rose to the challenge, becoming a critical link in the copper trade. Ships laden with Cornish copper set sail for far-flung destinations, while coal, essential for smelting, arrived on the return journey. This bustling port activity further cemented Hayle's position as a vital cog in the British Industrial Revolution.

From Smelter to Foundry: Copperhouse Transforms

By 1819, the landscape of Copperhouse began to shift. The CCC made a strategic move, transitioning from copper smelting to iron founding. Christened the "Copperhouse Foundry" (though it traded under the name Sandys, Carne and Vivian), the operation focused on crafting essential machinery for the mining industry itself.

The Legacy of Copper

While the fires of the Copperhouse Foundry eventually died out in 1869, its legacy lives on. The name "Copperhouse" serves as a permanent reminder of the town's deep connection to the reddish metal. Today, remnants of the industrial past can be found scattered throughout Hayle, ready for everyone to discover!

Explore Hayle's Copper Legacy

If you're ever in Hayle, be sure to visit the Hayle Heritage Centre. Engineering – Hayle Heritage Centre.   Explore the Rich History of Hayle Through Fascinating Exhibits.