According to William Cudworth, author of Round About Bradford, the Richardson's Arms was built in the late 1850s. No doubt named after the historic Richardson family from nearby Bierley Hall.
7 Apr 1861 - Census entry - Richardson's Arms, Oakenshaw.
Robinson DRIVER Head M 29 Innkeeper & farmer 30 acres emp 1m Thornton
Emma DRIVER Wife M 35 Clayton
Sybel DRIVER Dau 1 Oakenshaw
Joseph DOBSON Serv U 42 Ag lab Thornton
Louisa SHAW Serv U 24 House servant Low Moor
23 Jun 1862 - Court Case - Robinson Driver, innkeeper, was found guilty of an indecent assault upon one of his employees. His wife was also charged with assaulting the same person. Both were fined £2 with costs.
25 Sep 1862 - Brewster Sessions - Licence renewed for the Richardson's Arms, applicant recorded as Robinson Driver.
2 Apr 1871 - Census entry - Richardson's Arms, Wyke Lane.
Emma DRIVER Head M 45 Innkeeper & farmer of 28 acres Clayton
Sybil C DRIVER Dau 11 Scholar Oakenshaw
Jonas DRIVER Son 9 Scholar
Elizabeth INGLESTON Serv U 25 General domestic Burley
Landlady recorded as Emma Driver & family. She is also a farmer of 28 acres.
16 Jul 1878 - Court Case - Two men were found guilty of being drunk and assaulting the landlord, Robinson Driver, at the Richardson's Arms.
3 Apr 1881 - Census entry - Richardson's Arms, Cleckheaton Road.
Robinson DRIVER Head M 49 Farmer 67 acres emp 2m & innkeeper Thornton
Emma DRIVER Wife M 60 Clayton
Jonas DRIVER Son U 19 Farmer's son Oakenshaw
5 Apr 1891 - Census entry - Richardson's Arms, Cleckheaton Road.
Charles THORNTON Head M 46 Publican Cringles
Sarah THORNTON Wife M 48 Assistant publican Bowling
Evina THORNTON Dau S 22 Assistant publican Beeston
Ana THORNTON Dau 14 Assistant publican
Oct 1896 - Brewery - Acquired by Ilkley Brewery & Aerated Water Co.
8 Apr 1897 - Licence transfer. Richardson's Arms. To Seth Priestley, who stated that for 20 years he had been a blacksmith and the last few years pianist at the Granby Hotel, Cleckheaton.
May 1898 - Brewery - Acquired by Richard Whitaker & Sons.
31 Mar 1901 - Census - Richardson's Arms, Bradford Road. Landlord recorded as Seth Priestley & family. He was also a porter at a mineral water works.
2 Apr 1911 - Census - Richardson's Arms, Oakenshaw. Landlord recorded as Henry Stephen Pearson & family.
1920 - Electoral Register - Richardson's Arms, Oakenshaw. Occupants recorded as James, John & Martha Ann Sykes.
19 Jun 1921 - Census entry - Richardson's Arms, Oakenshaw (10 rooms)
James SYKES Head M 65y 3m, Halifax, Licensed victualler (OA)
Martha Ann SYKES Wife M 62y 8m, Lea Mills, Dbys, Home duties
John SYKES Serv U 55y 8m, Halifax, Barman for head
Lily Ann BIRKS Serv U 26y, Alfreton, Dbys, Domestic (P)
1925 - Electoral Register - Richardson's Arms, Oakenshaw. Occupants recorded as James, John & Martha Ann Sykes.
1930 - Electoral Register - Richardson's Arms, Bradford Road. Occupants recorded as Joseph Samuel, Annie & Lena Thompson (previously at the George in Cleckheaton). Also resident is Alexander Miller Fenton.
1935 - Electoral Register - Richardson's Arms, Bradford Road. Occupants recorded as Tom Herbert & Florrie Hodgson and Maud Barraclough.
29 Sep 1939 - 1939 Register entry - Richardsons Arms Inn, Oakenshaw
Tom H HODGSON b. 18 Feb 1882 M Licensed victualler
Florrie HODGSON b. 29 Sep 1887 M Unpaid domestic duties
Harry HODGSON b. 20 Mar 1915 S Works chemist, chemical works
Alice HODGSON b. 30 Sep 1921 S Unpaid domestic duties (later married name FOWLER)
Dennis P HODGSON b. 8 Feb 1925 S Ap dyer
Margaret A HODGSON b. 1 Nov 1926 At school (later married name NUDDS)
Maud BARRACLOUGH b. 10 Aug 1877 W Unpaid domestic duties
1940 - Electoral Register - Richardson's Arms, 684 Bradford Road. Occupants recorded as Tom Herbert, Florrie, Harold Edward & Harry Hodgson and Maud Barraclough.