Brooksbottom was developed by John Robinson Kay as he built his cotton mill at this water power site in 1829. The Kays created a hamlet of Wesleyan Methodists who built a chapel, a school and rows of cottages. Several of the rows were in line and it was said that if they all opened their doors at the same time you could see right through about 5 rows. The area is now on the East Lancashire steam railway thats has been restored and runs between Bury and Rawtenstall along the Irwell Valley.