Welcome to a brief history of iron and steel production in Consett. Many of these images have come from members of the community and if I have missed any credits please do let me know.
As with all pages, the timeline is always under construction and further contributions are welcome.
This information has been gathered from various sources including Graces Guide, see https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Consett_Iron_Co.
1840 The Derwent Iron Company was promoted by Mr. Jonathan Richardson and a small group of entrepreneurs to lease ironstone in the district of Consett, as well as several large royalties of coal. Blast-furnaces were erected, and rolling mills laid down, the ironstone for the former being obtained from shafts sunk in the immediate neighbourhood. In 1857 The Derwent and Consett Iron Company was formed to acquire the assets of the previous company which had large debts to a bank which had failed. 
1864 The New Consett Iron Company Ltd was incorporated in order to acquire the works at Consett, Crookhall, and Bradley, consisting of 18 blast-furnaces, with puddling forges, extensive plate, angle and bar mills, and other adjuncts, producing 80,000 tons of pig iron per annum, and from 40,000 to 50,000 tons of finished iron. 500 acres of freehold land, attached to the Works, and more than 1000 freehold cottages, with manager’s house and offices, were included in the purchase, as well as coal royalties. 
The tin plate mills were acquired in 1866; always known as the Tin Mill these were transferred to iron production shortly after acquistion 
1878 The company was the largest maker of plate in the country; it employed 5000. 
1882 Two small 13-ton Siemens furnaces were erected to make steel for ship building, soon followed by another 6. 
Blackhill Park, given to the town by the Consett Iron Company, was opened in 1891. It was designed by Messrs Robson and Co, Hexham. Thanks to Stephen Errington for the image. 
By 1922 the company had 8 blast furnaces, 2 steel works, 4 plate finishing mills, with Cogging mills and 3 finishing sectional mills and cogging mill 
At the start of WW2 the company employed about 12,000 people. It adapted to the demands for new types of steel, to use lower quality ores and to cope with reduction in output from its coal mines. And, of course, employed many women to keep the production levels as high as possible and supply the additional output needs of wartime. 
In 1947 the company’s coal mines were taken into the National Coal Board. Shown here is Medomsley Colliery provided by Raines Antiques. 
In 1951, Consett was nationalised under the Iron and Steel Act and became part of the Iron and Steel Corporation of Great Britain. 
In 1961 the new Hownsgill plate mill was opened which was focused on the needs of the shipbuilding industry 
By 1967 Consett was one of the 14 largest steel plants, representing about 90 per cent of the UK’s steel making capacity. It became one of the key plants in British Steel Corporation. Thanks to Paul Hunter for the image. 
Ever the innovator, Consett commissioned their third LD converter in 1968, made by Wellman Steelwork Engineering 
Despite being world-renowned for its innovation and high quality steel production, competition from UK and overseas plants grew throughout the 1970s, with rumours of closure building throughout that decade. 
The workers battled for Consett to the very end, taking their protest to London and keeping the visibility of Consett and its steel production high in the public’s mind 
The last metal was tapped on 12 September 1980. 
Demolition began almost immediately, with many former steel workers finding scarce employment in the site clearance 
Thanks to Bill Roberton for these images of the site clearance 
By 1982 there was little evidence of Consett’s industrial past. This and the next image show the same shot, 30 years apart 
Regrowth was gradual and a testimony to the determination and spirit of Consett. 
Thanks to Rob Moran and Alfred for this image 
The site has been transformed into much-needed housing and green spaces for leisure, with the C2C cycle route passing through the town. 
Public art offers reminders of the Works, including the transformers overlooking the site produced by artist David Kemp. 
We continue to remember Consett workers in the latest memorial, opened by Project Genesis in 2020 to commemorate the men who lost their lives producing steel at Consett, and in particular the victims of the gas accident in 1950. 
But it is the people who made the place, and it is for them and their memories that this site exists. 
Katharine Mutch sent us this image of her Great Grandparents, Charlotte and John Ross and their sons Percy and Arnold. Arnold (the younger boy) is Katharine’s Grandfather,. He was sadly killed in the disaster at the Steelworks in July 1950. This photo was likely taken in 1898. The family lived in St Ives Road, and John was a journalist. 
Hass Hunter (right) and his brother in Law Jimmy Penrose, at Consett Works. Thanks to Paul Hunter for this image. 
Bowling Green, Consett and Consett Station behind. Thanks to Joseph Campbell for the image. 
Consett Plaza Cinema staff, Dave Horseman with Joyce and Mrs Barry. Hilda Burton remembers Glenny Stewart who was an usher in the Plaza in the 1950s.Thanks to Joseph Campbell for the images 
History of Consett Steelworks 