Mining had been tried at Millom before 1855 but with little success. Two men Nathaniel Caine and John Barratt formed the Hodbarrow Mining Company in around 1855. One of the biggest problems at Hodbarrow was due to water and when the old workings collapsed the low lying areas flooded leaving the company with very little choice but to press on and in 1868 extra boreholes were sank and a huge body of Haematite was discovered.

In 1869 work began on shaft No.1, No.2 and No.3 but shaft No.2 had to be abandoned in 1870 due to flooding, so work had to be started on a new shaft No4 which was operational around 1874. The problems with sand & water became worse,  and in 1880 a large embankment was built but this was not as successful as first hoped. The Haematite, which came out of Hodbarrow, was some of the best in the area and was very highly valued. A second sea defence was built in the early 1900s to protect the mines and workings from the sea.   This proved very successful and is still in good shape today.

The Hodbarrow mine ceased production in 1967 after 112 years.  In 1968 the iron works closed it doors for the last time.

1851 Census for Millom

In 1851 the census shows the following information.

The total number of households was 79, and there were 243 births registered for Millom.

Occupations.

1871 Census for Millom

The 1871 census shows a little more information, and shows how much Millom had increased in just 20years.

The total number of households was 479, and there were 598 births registered for Millom.

Occupations