Engine House at Wheal Exmouth Mine, Christow, Devon
This engine house at Wheal Exmouth dates from 1853 and was built in an unusually ornamental, classical, style. The octagonal ventilation shaft next door to it was in the same style. Wheal Exmouth lead and barytes mine operated from the 1850s to 1880. It employed 70 underground workers in 1863. The reason why the buildings were made to look attractive was that the mine could be seen from Canonteign House where the Exmouth family lived. They would not have wanted their view spoiled by seeing ugly mine buildings.
