Quarry Worker Housing
The arrival of quarry workers required additional housing to support them. The ironstone companies supported this in two ways; building new accommodation, buying up existing housing especially for more senior staff.
Quarry Workers Bungalows
Three semi-detached bungalows were built by Holwell Iron Co. in 1916. These were on the Belvoir Road (at the top on the map) for workers at Eaton Quarries.
There were also two bungalow buildings on the Stathern to Eaton lane, although not much is known about these, beyond that they appear on the 25 inch OS map of 1902, but have gone by the 1930 edition. It is possible that they were also constructed by Holwell in a similar way to those on the Belvoir Road, but around the time Eaton Quarries were established.
There were also three semi-detached bungalows near the Eaton Branch viaduct, reached off Waltham Lane from Eaton. These houses are variously described as Viaduct Bungalows and Wash Dyke cottages however quarry humour named this location ‘White City’, as the bungalows were finished in black!
The Belvoir Estate Sale 1920
Three cottages were purchased at the Belvoir Estate Sale by the Eastwell Iron Ore Co:
Lot 527 was the cottage on the east corner of Main Street and Chapel Street, occupied by Mr. James Pick, bought for £120.
Lot 532 was the cottage that is still named Basic Cottage, suggesting a link with Basic Quarry north-west of the village. At that time it was occupied by Mr. J. D. Rowbotham and sold for £180. It was later the home of Lucy Monk, who worked at the quarry office at Eastwell in the 1950s and ‘60s.
Finally, Lot 544, occupied by Mrs. E. Jesson, for £100. This was later the home of Bob Russell, who also worked at the quarry office at Eastwell.