Presentation June 6, 2023: Butlers Tar Works
Professor Brian Vincent from Bristol University gave a captivating talk to the Kingswood History Society on June 6, 2023. He focused on Butlers Tar Works, founded in 1843 by William Butler under Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s request. The factory produced creosote for preserving wooden sleepers on new railroads. Butlers Tar Works, located in Bristol’s polluted Crew’s Hole area, grew into an international business owned by the Butler family until 1980. They owned Bristol’s first car (AE1) and installed the city’s inaugural…