Sittingbourne in Kent, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Papermaking
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 29, 2025
1. Papermaking Marker
Inscription.
Papermaking. . Early maps show a paper mill at Sittingbourne in the 18th century. However, papermaking became synonymous with Sittingbourne through the work of Edward Lloyd a newspaper publisher who established Sittingbourne Mill in the 1870s. In the beginning output was modest with the mill producing 40 tons a week but by the 1930s production was 5000 tons a week. This huge increase in production was fuelled by increased demands for paper., To move the pulp and other materials that arrived by barge at Ridham Dock, and to transport materials from the wharf, the company built a light gauge railway which now operates as the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway., The company built a workers settlement at Kemsley Garden Village complete with social and recreational club as well as the Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital. Although the Sittingbourne Mill was demolished in 2011, the Kemsley Mill is still in operation.
Early maps show a paper mill at Sittingbourne in the 18th century. However, papermaking became synonymous with Sittingbourne through the work of Edward Lloyd a newspaper publisher who established Sittingbourne Mill in the 1870s. In the beginning output was modest with the mill producing 40 tons a week but by the 1930s production was 5000 tons a week. This huge increase in production was fuelled by increased demands for paper.
To move the pulp and other materials that arrived by barge at Ridham Dock, and to transport materials from the wharf, the company built a light gauge railway which now operates as the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway.
The company built a workers settlement at Kemsley Garden Village complete with social and recreational club as well as the Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital. Although the Sittingbourne Mill was demolished in 2011, the Kemsley Mill is still in operation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 51° 20.473′ N, 0° 44.095′ E. Marker is in Sittingbourne, England, in Kent. It is on St Michael's Road (Route A2) west of Station Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: St Michael's Rd, Sittingbourne, England ME10 4AJ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers.
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At least 8 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pilgrimage Route (here, next to this marker); Sittingbourne Bricks (within shouting distance of this marker); Pick Your Own (within shouting distance of this marker); Red Lion Inn (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Stock Bricks (about 210 meters away); The Ship Inn (approx. 11.2 kilometers away); Henry Wreight (approx. 11.2 kilometers away); King James II (approx. 11.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sittingbourne.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 4 times this year. Photo1. submitted on May 7, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
