Known locally as the “Lock-up,” Illingworth Gaol is situated on Wrigley Hill Road, Illingworth. Built in 1697, it is a grade II* listed building. The gaol and stocks are close to the Parish Church of St Mary’s and the Old Talbot Public House. The stocks were constructed in 1823 and used until 1860.
There is an inscription taken from St Paul to the Ephesians over the gaol which says, “Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
It was originally a single storey building with four cells, a heavily studded door and barred windows. An extra storey was added when it ceased to be a gaol.
Illingworth and Ovenden were both notorious for their lawlessness and so the gaol was in frequent use. Miscreants arrived there from Halifax and surrounding areas where they awaited their trial when they would face possible transportation or even the gallows. At one time silk thieves were operating in Ovenden and they actually removed slates from the gaol roof so that they could collect the silk later. Another hiding place was in one of the graves in front of the church.
The stocks, which for some reason were named Sam Pie had initials carved in the uprights, on one side G.K. 1697 and on the other side A.H. and G.R., along with the motto “Know thyself” were also carved on them.
The building adjacent to the gaol opened in 1863 as a Co-op and when the gaol eventually closed it was sold to the said Co-op. This in time became the Halifax Industrial Society. It was used as a storeroom for many years until 1960, when the building was offered to the Halifax Council. However, Halifax Council refused to take it on, so a private trust was set up.
Plans to convert it all to a museum came to nothing, mainly one suspects, due to the fact that it is all situated on a very bad bend on a major road and there is no convenient parking space.
In 1978 Calderdale Council adopted the building and in the early 2000’s it was leased out as a private garage. In May 2024 the building was up for auction.
Illingworth Gaol & Stocks, early 20th century, unnamed photographer.
