12 blue plaque places in Sheffield
How many have you seen?
Known as The Steel City around the world, Sheffield is home to many notable figures and places, with blue plaques marking the places that hosted these people and events. From pop stars such as the Human League, to English politician and social reformer Samuel Plimsoll, best known for devising the Plimsoll line. How many of these plaques have you seen in the city?
Check out some of the plaques that can be found across Sheffield:
Vickers Building, Brightside Lane
Built in 1907, this imposing building acted as the head office of Vickers, the steel, engineering and munitions giant. Later English Steel, British Steel and Sheffield Forgemasters have all occupied the premises.
Sir Henry Bessemer
Sir Henry Bessemer was an English engineer, inventor and businessman. Bessemer's name is chiefly known in connection with the Bessemer process for the manufacture of steel. His plaque is located at Bessemer House, former offices of Bessemer Steel Co. Across the road Henry Bessemer established the first commercial Bessemer melting shop in Britain.
The Human League
A blue plaque for the Sheffield-born, electric new wave band the Human League can be found at the Wham Bar on Psalter Lane in Sheffield, which is where the band played their first ever gig in June 1978.
Samuel Plimsoll
English politician and social reformer Samuel Plimsoll is best known for devising the Plimsoll line in 1875 which was a line on a ship's hull indicating the maximum safe draft. The same year, a new type of canvas sole with a rubber band was named Plimsoll in his honour. His plaque can be found at his childhood home on Regent Street in Sheffield.
River Don Works
Founded in 1863 by Naylor Vickers, River Don Works specialised in the heaviest forgings and castings for the shipbuilding, energy and defence industries with the tradition still continuing.
Attercliffe Library
Attercliffe Library opened its doors in 1894 in answer to local public demand. It remained open for 92 years before closing in 1986. As well as lending books, like libraries do, it was one of the first places in Sheffield to display lists of job vacancies.
Hill Top Chapel
Erected in 1629, Hill Top Chapel was built for the Bright family of Carbrook Hall and was the sole Anglican Church for Attercliffe for 197 years until 1826. The churchyard contains memorials to many famous Attercliffe citizens including Benjamin Huntsman, inventor of crucible steel.
River Don Engine
This three-cylinder 12,000hp engine with Joy Valve Gear is one of the most powerful surviving steam engines in the world. Built in 1905 by the Davy Brothers of Sheffield, it was installed at Cammell’s Grimesthorpe Works to drive an armour plate rolling mill. This engine was later transferred to the River Don Works of English Steel Corporation where it remained until Easter 1978.
Ebenezer Elliott
Ebenezer Elliott, otherwise known as the Corn Law rhymer, was an English poet known for leading to the fight to repeal the Corn Laws which were causing hardship and starvation among the poor. It is located on Blake Grove Road in Upperthorpe, the street where he lived from 1834-1841.
Tinsley Tramsheds
The tramsheds were built in 1874 for the first horse drawn tram service in Sheffield. In 1899 they were extended to house electric trams with the last Sheffield tram terminating here in 1960.
Frank Harrison
Frank Harrison was a dental surgeon and his plaque is displayed on Glossop Road, Sheffield. He published the first paper in the world on the use of X-rays in dentistry and was instrumental in the founding of the School of Dental Surgery and the School Dental Clinic in Sheffield.
Sir John Bright
Sir John Bright was an English parliamentarian of Carbrook and Badsworth. His plaque can be found at Carbrook Hall, Attercliffe Common which is where Sir Bright lived.
There are plenty of other plaques across Sheffield and South Yorkshire. Why not hunt them down and see what history you can discover?
Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online or ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio'.