The Poor House was at the top of Babylon Lane, just past the old Springfield Mill, and not far from the Bay Horse. It was just over the boundary into Heath Charnock. The datestone on the front of the building says 'The Firs 1806'. However, datestones are not always a reliable source of information as they were often reused, and this date should be cross-referenced with other information.
As of yet, I have not found any information about the poor house whilst it was in use. It would presumably have been a parish poor house funded by charitable donations. Given that the singular word 'house' that is used, I would imagine it was run as one dwelling, rather than split up into separate almshouses.
On the 1849 map of Adlington, it is listed as 'Old Poor House', which indicates that it was no longer in use as a poor house by this time. It is likely that it became unused after the Chorley Poor Law Union was formed in 1837.
On the 1849 map of Adlington, it is listed as 'Old Poor House', which indicates that it was no longer in use as a poor house by this time. It is likely that it became unused after the Chorley Poor Law Union was formed in 1837.
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| 1845 Ordnance Survey map of Adlington |
By the 1851 census, the building(s) was being used as general housing and was referred to as 'The Firs'. In later census, it would also be named 'Poor House', and the building seemed to be split into several homes as it is now.
By the 1928 map, its name is now showing as 'The Firs'. The houses are still standing today, and can be seen below.
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