Monument record TQ 97 SW 1262 - Rushenden, Isle of Sheppey

The historic manor of Rushenden on the Isle of Sheppey lay originally within the parish of Minster. Situated south of the small town of Queenborough, Rushenden remained open marshland until the 20th century, when it was developed as an industrial and residential suburb of the town. In c1904 400 acres were used as the site of an early industrial estate, the initiative of two local business men. The marsh land was used to accommodate different manufacturers, provided with on-site services such as transport facilities, utilities and power, following American and European precedents. A mixture of industries were established, with chemical, pottery, glass, coal washing and engineering dominating, served by branch railway lines and a concrete jetty, built in 1907. Between 1906 and 1910 two streets of workers housing were built to the serve the estate, supplemented in 1912-13 by a terrace built by one of the newly established businesses, Settle, Speakman Co. Ltd. Administrative control of Rushenden was transferred to Queenborough in 1912. In the 1940s a large public housing estate was planned, constructed between 1948 and 1968. In addition to the industrial estate a number of other manufacturing sites were established. A glue and chemical works, developed from 1897, became part of a larger trading estate known as the Klondyke in the late 20th century. Many of the industrial premises in Rushenden were cleared in the 1990s, and site of the industrial estate is to be used for a large residential redevelop in the early 21st century.