PRN 30589 'Paper Mill Farm'. {1} Houghton Paper Mill is depicted on the Ordnance Survey County Series map of 1905. {2} Houghton Road is a relatively recent name for the street. For many years this was known as 'Papermill Lane' since, for something like two hundred years, it had led across the fields and down to the banks of the River Witham to what is now called Paper Mill Farm. Richard Hornsby, having in due course bought most of the land in the south of Spittlegate Parish, had acquired the paper mill as well, no doubt finding a useful source of 'bumf' for his growing office activities. In fact for some forty years, between 1840 and 1880, the local gazeteers listed him as being a 'Paper Manufacturer' as well as being an 'Engineer and Iron Founder'. Nothing now remains of the mill itself apart from some foundations, a weir where the water wheel must have been, and some farm buildings which may have developed from the outbuildings of the paper mill. {3} Houghton Paper Mill is shown on Greenwood's map of 1827/8. The mill foundations are still visible [2008] beside the weir. Originally the river had been diverted to increase the height of the waterfall for the waterwheel. Papermaking is first mentioned in the region in 1731. The mill was worked from this date until its renovation from timber to brick and tile between 1787 to 1793. The mill was sold in 1896 and ceased papermaking in c.1888. {4} Paper Mill Farm (Houghton Farm), Londonthorpe and Harrowby Without. Partially extant 19th century farmstead. Loose courtyard with four sides of the courtyard formed by working agricultural buildings. The farmhouse is detached from the main working complex. There has been a partial loss (less than 50%) of traditional buildings. Isolated location. Large modern sheds are located on the site. {5}