Former Canal Company Office, Lock Keepers House And Attached Wall And Railings

The former Canal Company office, lock-keeper's house, and attached wall and railings were built in 1816 for the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company, with the house added after 1847. The office features ashlar stonework and has a low-pitched hipped slate roof with a central corniced ridge stack that has been extended in brick. It is one storey high with a basement, and includes a central wide panelled door framed by a plain surround and topped with a deep cornice hood. The door has carved lettering that reads 'CANAL OFFICE'. On either side of the door are segmental-arched recesses containing tripartite sash windows with glazing bars and margin-lights. The building is accented by corner pilasters, a deep eaves cornice, and a blocking course. The right side has a straight flight of steps leading to Basin Lock. The rear house is constructed of red brick, has a hipped slate roof, a central stack, and features 4-pane sash windows. Although the interior has not been seen, it is reputed to contain an original panelled board room on the left. The subsidiary features include three steps that project forward of the line of railings, a wall made of two courses of rusticated masonry with stepped copings and railings flanking the entrance, and acorn finials on the rails and standards. There is a pedestrian gate on the far left with dog bars. Historically, this structure was likely built after the canal's completion in 1816, as it does not appear on the 1815 map. Although the canal from Leeds to Gargrave was completed between 1770 and 1777, there was a significant delay in completing the route to Liverpool due to funding issues.