Yeadon, United Kingdom

In this period there were only thirty or so households scattered around three points: where the town centre is now; the main cluster round where the Woolpack is, and a smaller group of cottages further to the west along Yeadon Gill at Nether Yeadon, probably a marketplace. Sheep were farmed and the wool made into cloth locally. Yeadon Gill provided waterpower for a corn mill.

Despite the English Civil War the area prospered and the population more than doubled to more than 400 during the 17th century, with 93 hearths (i.e. fireplace with chimney) recorded. Medieval parcels of land were traded into more efficient farms and a new mill was built. The town was no longer divided and had a significant social organization with poor relief and a constable.

The 18th century saw the establishment of a school (now Layton Cottage) and more stone houses were built replacing the wattle and daub cottages, a windmill and the first steam engine operated mill were built. The people worshipped at the parish church in Guiseley, some distance away, and started demanding their own church in 1714: but did not get one until 1844.

John Yeadon (1764–1833), a lay preacher in the town for more than thirty years, kept a journal about his life, family and events in the locality for most of his adult life. He and his wife, Mary had fourteen children, one of whom had a severe intellectual disability. John conducted services locally, but also in many villages and towns in the Aire and Wharfe Valleys. He attended services conducted by John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, many times. The handwritten journal provides detailed insights into town life and the early Methodist Church in the district.

In the 19th century, the population rose rapidly from 1,695 in 1801 to 4,109 in 1851 and 7,396 in 1891 as Yeadon became a manufacturing rather than farming town. It was particularly noted for making women's apparel. To assist trade, New Road (now A65) was built in 1827 through Yeadon, linking Kirkstall with Guiseley and the railway followed in the 1840s. In 1845 it was administratively separated from Guiseley. By 1853 it had gas from the "Yeadon and Guiseley Gas Light Co". The watercourse became badly polluted by effluent from Bradford, Shipley and Bingley, leading to a successful court case against the Bradford Corporation in 1868. The Yeadon Waterworks sank a well in 1861 and began the Cold Harbour Reservoir in 1877. The town's Board of Health was established in 1863, and set up the cemetery and buildings in 1876. In 1880 the town had its own "Yeadon Town Hall and Mechanics' Institute".

Increasing social unrest and labour disputes in the early 20th century led to a major lockout and subsequent hunger marches in 1913. As a result of the dispute, the working week in the textile mills was shortened, and workers received a pay rise, although this fell short of the demands of the trade unions who in consequence streamlined their organisation. In 1937 it became part of the Aireborough district, being the most populous township of over ten thousand.