A tobacco pipe factory was purpose built on Serpentine Street by George Spencer Watkinson in 1843. The works comprised a two storey building of four rooms with a central kiln, and represent a classic example of a small family run factory. Its true significance lies in the fact that an account of its layout and work practices also exists, including four simple sketches of the room and their functions. These documents identify the site of the tipping furnace next to the kiln on the ground floor. The possibility that this still exists in ground plan offers a unique opportunity to record details of a hitherto unrecognised and little understood facet of this industry. The factory was still in use until at least 1882. {1}{2}{3} The site of the factory is thought to be in what is now a backyard with raised flower beds at the rear of 36 Serpentine Street. Buildings are indicated at this location on the 2nd edition 25" Ordnance Survey County Series map, which may have been the factory buildings, and which no longer exist. The buildings survived until at least 1969, and are shown in a photograph of that time. {4}{5} George Spencer Watkins (sic) expanded from London to other clay pipe factories in Lincoln, Brigg and Louth. He died in 1885 and his son took over the business. The increased use of the railway allowed the clay to be delivered from Devon. {6}