All Tenements

Phases 1.11 - 13, 2.9, 3.14 -15, 4.21-22

The more recent use of the four tenements consisted of the clearance of the site of Building 3.14, subsequent ground make-up, an accumulation of overburden from pit digging and backyard dumping (Phase 1.11) and the construction of new ranges of out-buildings (Phases 1.12 and 4.21). Associated with these modern buildings were various sewage and drainage features (Phase 4.21).

The most notable features were a number of 18th or 19th century brick and cobble floors from buildings along Hornpot Lane (Phase 1.12). The buildings, fronting onto Hornpot Lane, were demolished sometime after the mid 20th century. They can be seen in an aerial photograph of the site taken in the late 1940s.

20th century overburden and levelling
Finally, the tenements were levelled off with mixed rubble and overburden, some of which probably came from the construction of new school buildings in the 1920s, and later, the demolition of 68 Low Petergate (Phases 1.13 / 2.9 / 3.16 / 4.22).

18th or 19th century brick and cobble floors near Hornpot Lane

The rear of 62 Low Petergate

The well
At the north-west end of the site there was a playground area which was to be stripped for landscaping. This was once the garden for the Georgian building 62 Low Petergate, and was to be returned to its former use. During the machining an impressive stone-lined well was found just beyond the edge of Tenement 4. The lining of the structure was very expertly made. The cut limestone blocks were the work of experienced masons, and must have been undertaken at considerable cost, suggesting it was associated with a building of high status. It had chamfered corners on the south east side, right-angle corners on the north-west side. The stone-work was very neatly cut and the blocks tightly joined. It was impossible for anyone to go down safely into the well but a number of iron pins could be seen in one edge of the lining, indicating there may have been a ladder attached to the side of the well. The well probably belonged to the Georgian house Number 62 Low Petergate, built for John Shaw in 1725 (RCHME).