Out of print, available to order.
$29.95
This is the first in a new series entitled ‘Transport & Industrial Heritage’ that will provide readers with unique and well-researched histories exploring the true historical heritage of the country on a region by region basis. Cornwall is the first county under the spotlight and is an obvious region to feature; it is relatively self-contained but with a long industrial and transport heritage, including tin mining and china clay mining; a buoyant fishing industry and an extensive transport infrastructure that linked the county to the rest of England.
This book explores the origins and development of Cornwall’s unique transport system, from early horse drawn wagons, to horse tramways and railways and of course shipping which was so important for trade, but also ferries which transported goods and people across estuaries and rivers; crossings which are still very much part of life in Cornwall in the 21st century.
Industry and agriculture are also covered in depth, including all the many extractive industries, limestone burning, textile mills, flower growing, brewing and above all, fishing. Over the past three centuries the most remarkable phenomenon has been the development of the tourist industry and even though the rise of the package industry had a severe impact on numbers of tourists visiting the region, evidence today shows that business is steadily recovering with more than 5 million visitors each year, with new attractions such as the Eden Project proving a great pull, and watersports fans flocking in their thousands to enjoy the many attractions the coastline has to offer.
The book includes useful references to surviving structures (with a map reference) so that it can also be used as a guide book for visitors to the area. Illustrations comprise a selection of both historical images recording the relevant industry at its peak along with views of the surviving structures.
For social historians and industrial archaeologists this will provide a wealth of detail and historical material hitherto untapped. It should also appeal to the millions of people that visit the area every year.
