THE Courtauld textiles factory in Halstead closed in 1982, but the family legacy remains in the form of the many houses that they built, helping to form what is now known as “The Courtauld Estate”.

The family had a lasting impact on the whole district but today we concentrate only on Halstead itself.

Along with the focused business minds of many Victorian dynasties, the Courtauld family also went to great lengths to provide homes and other facilities for, in the main, their workers.

From the early 1870s until the outbreak of the Second World War they commissioned dozens of houses, together with a hospital plus various industrial and communal facilities in the town.

It is difficult to be in any part of Halstead and not be in sight of some of the Courtauld Legacy.

This includes some of the industrial buildings now used for other purposes along with the air raid shelters at the rear of Factory Terrace.

Architecture changes with time, but the most striking are those built in the 1800s (Factory Terrace and The Causeway) together with those known as the Courtauld “Tudor” style built in the 1920s.

Almost without exception the Courtauld name together with a build date is included in the frontage.

Some are also named after characters in novels by popular authors of the time – a possible suggestion from family members.

The constructions provided work for local craftsmen and material suppliers, which possibly included local brick makers.

www.halsteadhistory.org.uk