The History
Oaklands was built between 1882-1883, The house was designed by Bolton based architectural firm of Bradshaw & Gass. The house is built of pressed red brick, it is a convolution of architectural styles; Gothic & Queen Anne revival. The house has an octagonal turret & terracotta details around the exterior - On the façade of the house is a plaque which bears the carving ‘EQUAM SERVARE MENTEM’ (to preserve an equal mind). Oaklands was originally built for the Green family - the head of the family being John Green who was a glue & soup manufacturer.
In December 1945, the Primary Education Committee of Lancashire decided to purchase the house to use it as a remand home to accommodate 26 girls. Oakland’s Children’s Home eventually became a boys home & it could accommodate around 29 boys.
A Dark Past…
Oakland’s was run by notorious ex army man Mr Mackey - the Poet & Author, Lemn Sissay revealed the abuse he suffered & witnessed during his time here.
“After arriving - I got my first kicking 3 hours later, Nose broken, 3 ribs & wrist. They didn’t bother with a doctor - Just banged me up for three weeks, I was 12 years old”
Boys were also rumoured to be forced to strip naked & fight while being watched. As early as 1951, potential cases of abuse were highlighted at Oakland’s, In that year a superintendent faced trial for ‘improperly assaulting boys under 16’ . The Children’s Home closed in the early 1990s & in 1992 the building was converted into offices for the use of Wigan Council. Oakland’s was used for this purpose until 2016, In 2020 plans were approved to demolish Oakland’s & build 19 houses & an apartment block containing 6 flats.
The Explore
Sadly this beautiful building is in the middle of demolition - having scouted the property only 1 week earlier there was significant change so I don’t believe this will see the end of the month. Access can be less than ideal depending if you want all the surrounding houses & main roads watching you tackle the double fences & the site is also occupied by building crew.
At the risk of being laughed out the community here - I have to say having solo explored some very creepy places & not being one to be too spooked out generally… the ground floor in this place left me feeling very unnerved. This was not something I experienced exploring any of the other floors in this building but each time I came back to the main floor I was left feeling very uncomfortable - I also had not read the history before hand as I always like to enter with an open mind…
The Photography...
Thankyou for reading & enjoy the Decay!
Oaklands was built between 1882-1883, The house was designed by Bolton based architectural firm of Bradshaw & Gass. The house is built of pressed red brick, it is a convolution of architectural styles; Gothic & Queen Anne revival. The house has an octagonal turret & terracotta details around the exterior - On the façade of the house is a plaque which bears the carving ‘EQUAM SERVARE MENTEM’ (to preserve an equal mind). Oaklands was originally built for the Green family - the head of the family being John Green who was a glue & soup manufacturer.
In December 1945, the Primary Education Committee of Lancashire decided to purchase the house to use it as a remand home to accommodate 26 girls. Oakland’s Children’s Home eventually became a boys home & it could accommodate around 29 boys.
A Dark Past…
Oakland’s was run by notorious ex army man Mr Mackey - the Poet & Author, Lemn Sissay revealed the abuse he suffered & witnessed during his time here.
“After arriving - I got my first kicking 3 hours later, Nose broken, 3 ribs & wrist. They didn’t bother with a doctor - Just banged me up for three weeks, I was 12 years old”
Boys were also rumoured to be forced to strip naked & fight while being watched. As early as 1951, potential cases of abuse were highlighted at Oakland’s, In that year a superintendent faced trial for ‘improperly assaulting boys under 16’ . The Children’s Home closed in the early 1990s & in 1992 the building was converted into offices for the use of Wigan Council. Oakland’s was used for this purpose until 2016, In 2020 plans were approved to demolish Oakland’s & build 19 houses & an apartment block containing 6 flats.
The Explore
Sadly this beautiful building is in the middle of demolition - having scouted the property only 1 week earlier there was significant change so I don’t believe this will see the end of the month. Access can be less than ideal depending if you want all the surrounding houses & main roads watching you tackle the double fences & the site is also occupied by building crew.
At the risk of being laughed out the community here - I have to say having solo explored some very creepy places & not being one to be too spooked out generally… the ground floor in this place left me feeling very unnerved. This was not something I experienced exploring any of the other floors in this building but each time I came back to the main floor I was left feeling very uncomfortable - I also had not read the history before hand as I always like to enter with an open mind…
The Photography...
Thankyou for reading & enjoy the Decay!
