page_title: Silsden
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Silsden / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Waterloo Mills, SilsdenThis is a photo of listed building number 1266636.
context_page_description: Silsden is a town and civil parish in West Yorkshire, England, on the River Aire and Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Keighley and Skipton, which had a population of 8,268 at the 2011 Census. The parish includes the hamlet of Brunthwaite.
context_section_description: Silsden was mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book as "Siglesdene", and as the most important village in Craven.
  Generally an agricultural area, the Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on West Yorkshire, including Silsden. The town hosted a number of mills none of which now operate in their original form. There is still industry in the town, some in old mill buildings and some in a new industrial estate between the town and the river. The town retains a very small amount of  manufacturing. 
  The Leeds and Liverpool Canal became a key element of local infrastructure upon its completion in 1816.  Silsden was then connected to both a significant manufacturing city (Leeds) and a major ocean port (Liverpool) by canal. Canal boats allowed for cheap transportation of bulk goods, especially coal and wool, to the area.
  In 1911, there was a riot in Silsden when the police station was attacked. A very unpopular policeman had been too enthusiastic in his duties. Questions were raised in the House of Commons and it was reported in the national press. The policeman was removed from the town and no more trouble occurred.
  During the 1940s, a hostel was built off Howden Road, to house refugees and prisoners of war from various countries. The area is now a housing estate, and there is a plaque to commemorate the hostel on Ings Way.
  In 1998, a hoard of 27 gold coins dating back to the 1st century AD were found in the town and subsequently valued at £20,000 by experts appointed by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
  The Guinness Book of World Records reported that the biggest onion ever, at 14 lb (6.4 kg), was grown in Silsden in 2010 by Vincent Throup. However this has since been beaten.
  On 6 July 2014, Stage 2 of the 2014 Tour de France from York to Sheffield, passed through the town.
caption: Waterloo Mills
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