Early history Some
neolithic implements and other pre-Roman remains have been found in Broughton. The
Roman road from
Manchester (
Mamucium) to
Ribchester (
Bremetennacum) passed through the area and Roman coins have also been found. The township of Broughton dates back to 1177 when it was known as Burton, bounded mainly by the meandering
River Irwell. To the west of this township, close to a ford across the Irwell, lay the hamlet of Broughton. The Manor of Broughton was formerly an ancient
demesne of the
honour of Lancaster, being a member of the
Royal Manor of Salford. It descended through various families and in 1578 was bought by
Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby. In June 2004 a commemorative street nameplate in memory of William Crabtree was unveiled at the junction of Lower Broughton Road and Priory Grove. This site marks the location that is thought most likely to have been the home of Crabtree and his family at the time when he was collaborating with Horrocks. A commemorative plaque was erected in 2005 a few yards away near Ivy Cottage, which is thought to be the house from which Crabtree made his observations.
Clowes family become the landowners; early 19th century In 1772 the Manor of Broughton became the property of Mary, sister of Edward Cheetham of Nuthurst and Smedley who was married to Samuel Clowes. The manor then descended through the Clowes family to the Captain Henry Arthur Clowes. services once criss-crossed Salford. These lines, at the end of Great Clowes Street, are still visible as the road was closed to traffic following a landslip. During the 19th century the population rose rapidly with the Clowes family controlling the development of the area allowing the wealthy merchants to purchase large plots in Higher Broughton to build their mansions and some grand
terraces. By the mid-19th century the majority of residents who lived in the area known as "the Cliff" were members of the professional classes but a number of merchants also resided there. The Cliff was one of the earliest residential suburbs for "commuters" into Manchester and Salford. A number of the houses built for them still stand today and are protected as
listed buildings. In 1838
Manchester Zoological Gardens were opened on a site between Northumberland Street and Broom Lane but the venture was not a commercial success and closed 1842. Businessmen from all over Europe and the
Mediterranean Sea established branches in Manchester close to the source of supply. In Higher Broughton by mid century there were many prosperous merchants from the
Ottoman Empire who had settled around Northumberland Street and by 1861 they had built the
Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Manchester church on Bury New Road. Much of Lower Broughton was undeveloped at this time as it was prone to flooding and one of the few houses, built close to Broughton Bridge was called "Noah's Ark" as it was built on an artificial mound to raise it above the level of the floods. The
Church of the Ascension was built in 1869.
Broughton incorporated into Salford Broughton was a
township and
chapelry in the parish of
Manchester and
hundred of Salford. on 1 April 1919 the parish was abolished and merged with Salford. In 1911 the parish had a population of 53,108. During the latter part of the century large numbers of
terraced houses were built for the workers until eventually all of Lower Broughton was built upon. During the course of development the Clowes family kept tight control over the area to ensure that it remained "good class". The land in Higher Broughton was sold in large plots for "villa" type properties and they also restricted the number of
pubs that could be built, and then only allowed beer to be sold and not spirits. By 1901 the population had grown to around 49,048.
Regeneration In the summer months of 2000, new gardens, fences, gates and porches had begun to be fitted to the local authority houses in Lower Broughton covering the whole of the area by 2006. The gardens were introduced to make the area look neater and more consistent. The council and its arms-length management company "New Prospect", had been working closely with tenants to make sure that their houses were up to standard so that they were good quality council houses. Crime levels have now reduced and the unemployment rate has decreased leading to higher demand for housing in Lower Broughton, which is around one mile (1.6 km) from
Manchester city centre. This fact and the availability of affordable housing make it an attractive option for many younger first time buyers. In 2005, it was announced that an area of housing near Camp Street in Lower Broughton would be demolished to make way for brand new houses. This is part of a wider regeneration project which will later extend to all council houses in the area. Regeneration has been taken on by
Salix Homes and
Countryside Properties and is planned to be completed by 2014. Another regeneration project, in Higher Broughton, is known as Broughton Green. Brentnall Primary School, on the corner of Broom Lane and Bury New Road, was demolished as part of this scheme. This school was on the site of a large detached house in its own grounds called Bella Vista. At the time, it had commanding views over the Cliff, looking out toward the Crescent. It was built by a Greek merchant to represent his status in the community. Part of the house burned down, leaving the owner in conflict with the authorities over land tax due, but unpaid on the damaged part of the building. The house was taken by the local authority eventually and became Broughton Grammar School for Girls before it was demolished to make way for Brentnall Primary School. The only evidence of the original house was the gates still there to this day. == Haredi community ==