When the Louth Navigation was built in the mid 18th century one of only two fixed bridges across the canal was on the road between North Coates and North Thoresby. It was at some point after the canal opened in 1771-74 that a small settlement established itself at this crossing and became known as Thoresby Bridge. The hamlet was certainly in existence by 1814 when the first of several alehouse licences was issued to Thomas Parker for the Sloop Commerce Inn and a number of buildings are recorded here on the 1818 OS drawings that the OS made for the first edition one inch to the mile OS map that was published in 1824.{1}{2} In 1821 the Stamford Mercury newspaper makes mention of an auction of land and property at Mr Parker's house in North Thoresby Bridge. The sale included The Sloop public house which was certainly within the hamlet as it is mentioned in White's 1842 Directory in the hamlet of Thoresby Bridge. The 1842 Directory also mentions Henry Parker (the son of Thomas Parker) as a corn and coal merchant and brick and tile maker at Thoresby Bridge. Thomas Parker had built a warehouse at Thoresby Bridge in 1821 which his son had presumably inherited (see PRN47631). The hamlet was one of the loading / off-loading points on the Louth Navigation and had a wharf. There was an early 19th century brick works at Thoresby Bridge (see PRN48950). {3}{4} The hamlet continues to the present although the canal is no longer in use. The settlement can be seen on the 1888 OS map much the same size as it is today. {5}{6}