The George Hotel
One of the oldest pubs in Cleckheaton and steeped in history. Originally started it's life as "The Nag's Head" and is located overlooking "The Green" or nowadays known as the Memorial Park in the centre of the town. There is no known exact date when the premises came to be, but it can be estimated as being in the latter part of the 1700's. This being based on the birth date of the man who built it, Mr Yates, being 1751. It became known as The George at some point in the late 1830s.
During the Luddite attacks of 1812, soldiers were stationed at the Nag's Head.
The Nag's Head was also a "stopping station" for coaches from other parts of the county. It was an ideally situated location on the main turnpike roads between Leeds and Elland and also from Dewsbury to Bradford.
7 Jun 1802 - Newspaper Archives - Land enclosure article, landlord recorded as Richard Waite
19 Mar 1804 - Newspaper Archives - Machinery auction - landlord recorded as John Waite
26 Feb 1814 - Newspaper archives - Auction of St. Peg Mill - landlord recorded as William Ledgard
1822 - Baines Trade Directory - Nag's Head, Cleckheaton. Landlord recorded as William Jackson.
17 Jul 1823 - Newspaper Archives - Property auction - landlord recorded as John Chadwick
1828 - Pigot's Trade Directory - Nag's Head, Cleckheaton. Landlord recorded as John Chadwick
1834 - Pigot's Trade Directory - Nag's Head, Cleckheaton. Landlord recorded as John Chadwick.
10 Dec 1836 - Newspaper Article - To be Let - All that commodious and well-accustomed Inn, known by the sign of "The Nag's Head", with stables, brewhouse, garden, croft and other conveniences adjoining, now in the occupation of John Chadwick.
3 Dec 1840 - Licence Transfer - Thomas Pickles of the George Inn, Cleckheaton to James Grimshaw (believed this should be the other way round. See below).
30 Jan 1841 - Newspaper Article - Thomas Pickles announces that he has taken and occupied premises known as the Nag's Head but now the George Inn, lately occupied by Mr. Grimshaw. He has completed extensive alterations for the better accommodation of commercial gentlemen and families. The premises have good and extensive stables and lock-up coach and gig house.
6 Jun 1841 - Census - The Green, Cleckheaton. Although premises not named , Thomas Pickles and family recorded as inn keeper.
30 Mar 1851 - Census - George Hotel, Cleckheaton. Landlord recorded as John Wilkinson & family.
31 Oct 1853 - Property Auction. Large number of properties for auction under George Booth's Will. Landlord recorded as John Wilkinson.
7 Apr 1861 - Census - The Green, Cleckheaton. Although not named other records confirm it was here. Landlord is John Wilkinson & family.
24 Aug 1868 - Property Auction. Sale of various properties in Cleckheaton. Landlord recorded as John Wilkinson.
2 Apr 1871 - Census - George Hotel, Westgate. Landlord recorded as John Wilkinson & family.
3 Apr 1881 - Census - George Hotel, Green Side, Cleckheaton. Landlady recorded as the widow Susannah Alderson.
5 Apr 1891 - Census - George Hotel, Cleckheaton. Landlady recorded as the widow Susannah Alderson.
9 Mar 1899 - Probate - Robert Tordoff of the George Hotel, Cleckheaton died 17 Jan 1899 and left an estate valued at £729.
31 Mar 1901 - Census - George Hotel, Elland Road, Cleckheaton. Hotel manageress recorded as the widow Mary Tordoff along with several family members.
Oct 1906 - Brewery - Acquired by Richard Whitaker & Sons.
2 Apr 1911 - Census - George Hotel, Cleckheaton. Landlord recorded as George Schofield & wife Ellen.
1920 - Electoral Register - George Hotel, Market Street. Occupants recorded as Joseph Samuel & Annie Thompson.
1925 - Electoral Register - George Hotel, Market Street. Occupants recorded as Joseph Samuel & Annie Thompson (Joseph later takes on the Richardson's Arms).
1930 - Electoral Register - George Hotel, Market Street. Occupants recorded as George & Mary Lindis Reed, Isobel Dalia Smith and James Atherton.
1935 - Electoral Register - George Hotel, Market Street. Occupants recorded as William Henry & Agnes May Batty, John Horsfall, Mary Moisley, Florence Church and William Nicholson.
24 Nov 1938 - Court Case - John William Smith, licensee of the George Hotel, Cleckheaton was found guilty of unlawfully managing a gaming house and was fined £5.
29 Sep 1939 - 1939 Register - George Hotel, Market Street. Hotel manager recorded as Thomas Boynton.
1940 - Electoral Register - George Hotel, Market Street. Occupants recorded as John William & Emily Smith, George Edward Nicholson and Ann Hartley.
1945 - Electoral Register - George Hotel, Market Street. Occupants recorded as Ernest & Ada Godwin.
1948 - Electoral Register - George Hotel, Market Street, Cleckheaton - Occupants recorded as Ronald & Annie Smith