Lomography

Redruth College of Art

There were a great number of houses built for the so called professional classes and a great many habitations swept away with little trace,many of the professionals,(for sincere wanting of a less devisive title) engaged in the mining industry or its ancillieries, one of these known as Belmont House built in 1837. This building replaced the eighteenth century home of Dr William Pryce (1735 - 1790)who was a mine surgeon - whatever that means!, and author of Mineralogia Cornubienis published in 1778. Belmont became a traditional home for doctors...including the Pryce family. Chylowen in Plain-an-Gwarry was for a time the home of James Watt (1736 - 1819) of Boulton and Watt Engineers who rented this cottage during the 1780's when consulting with William Murdoch on mine pumping engines. Murdoch House(c1660 grade ll listed) Mining Engineer William Murdoch (1754 - 1839)lived here whilst he worked on local mines as an engine erector for Boulton & Watt of Birmingham. He made a small working model of the worlds first steam locomotive in 1784 and also invented gas lighting on the same premises in 1792.Also of note the Cofee Tavern (1880) listed grade ll the town clock 1828. and the flag of St Piran