James Gray: This fine windmill formerly stood on the very summit of the Round Hill. It was built in 1838 on land leased from Thomas Reade Kemp who granted a right of way to the mill from Ditchling Road, across his land. For many years the mill stood remote from the houses but in the late 1870s the area began to be developed. Round Hill Road replaced the original right of way and houses were built on all sides of the mill. In the 1890s it was worked by steam power, the sweeps were made fast and the fan removed. It ceased working in 1910 and was demolished in 1913. The red brick houses in Belton Road now cover the site, four being built on the west side and six on the east side of the road. The date of the original photograph is about 1893. This reproduction is by kind permission of Mr C H Cutress, 123 Church Road, Hove, whose grandfather purchased the mill in 1880. jgc_20_075
James Gray: Three early photographs [jgc_20_076, 077 and 078] of the mill, period about 1870. The right of way granted by Thomas Reade Kemp can be seen clearly in the photograph number jgc_20_078 [below]. The line of Ditchling Road is just above the chimney pot, while the path running away obliquely to the right is the present Prince’s Crescent. Possibly the work of the late W J Bramwell and taken from Buckingham Place. jgc_20_076
2018: Due to limited visual viewpoints, this new photograph is taken from Howard Place looking east over Brighton’s railway lines. The arrow on the image indicates the area where Tower Mill used to stand. Belton Road was extended to build several houses from the red bricks of the demolished mill. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_20_076 above.] jgc_20_077
2018: See caption for jgc_20_076 above. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_20_076 above.] jgc_20_078
2018: See caption for jgc_20_076 for information. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)