York Historic Environment Record

By the mid 19th century, as shown on the first edition OS map, this area contained tightly packed buildings, both residential and industrial, separated by narrow alleys, courts and yards – including Dixon’s Yard.The plan of the foundry itself, defined on the ground by brick walls, appears to correspond in general terms to what is shown on the 1st edition OS map of 1852. What was found in the excavations corresponds to much of the main block and projecting wing, and to the string of buildings on the east. The foundry walls were built of brick and the buildings would have appeared fairly utilitarian, although limestone and sandstone was used for door surrounds. In its latter years, perhaps largely disused, it is possible that the site was used primarily for dumping waste materials. In 1815 John Walker (1801-53) became an apprentice iron founder to a man named Gibson at a foundry in what is now Dixon’s Yard, Walmgate adjacent to the river Foss. By 1837, after Gibson’s retirement, Walker was in sole charge. At first Walker’s commissions were local. In 1845-6 the foundry made the gates for Kew Gardens in London. As a result, in 1847, Walker was appointed iron founder to Queen Victoria. In 1850 Walker received his most famous commission: the gates and railings of the British Museum. The foundry on the Dixon’s Yard site was sold in 1856 for £1000, and the Walker firm’s work continued at the Victoria Foundry a short distance away where the Yorkshire Evening Press Office now stands.