Babylon was a state in ancient Mesopotamia, now in present day Iraq. The first reported archaeological excavation of Babylon was conducted in 1811-12, and again in 1817. It was also excavated briefly in 1827.
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| A view of Babylon Lane from the bottom of the road, c1909. |
The first known mention of the word concerning local history is in the 1798 land tax redemption records, where there is mention of land tax of 1 shilling and 11 pence being paid on 'Babylon' in Adlington which was owned by Mr Hampson. The fact that it was taxable indicates this particular listing was likely to be land or a building, rather than a public lane. There is also a reference to just 'Babylon' on the 1829 map.
It is thought that the name could be linked to to the origins of Bobby Lane, which was the name of what is now Railway Road.
By the 1841 census, the road is referred to Babylon Lane.
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| Hennet's 1829 map of Lancashire (Babylon Lane shown in red) |