ROCHDALE, a thriving manufacturing t. of Lancashire, a market-town and parlia mentary and municipal borough, in the valley of the Roche, and built on both sides of that stream, 11 m. n.n.e. of Manchester, and 200 m. n.w. of London by railway. The parish church, placed on an eminence, and approached by a flight of steps, is a venerable edifice, dating from the 12th c., and built partly in late Norman, and partly in perpendicular. The other public buildings comprise churches, chapels, and meeting houses for the various dissenting sects. The new town-hall, completed in 1867, is a fine building in domestic Gothic style. The public baths, opened iu 1868, are the prop erty of the corporation. Many improvements in the architectural and sanitary conditio• of the town have been made within recent years. With all the iraprovements, however, Rochdale is beautiful only in site, and derives its importance wholly from its extensive and varied manufactures. The woolen manufacture, introduced here by a colony of
Flemings in the reign of Edward III., is in a prosperous state, and is increasing in importance. Blankets, baizes, kerseys, and other woolen fabrics are the staple mann 'factures. Cotton goods also, especially calicoes, are largely manufactured. In the vicinity, coal is found, and flagstones, freestones, and slates are abundantly quarried. A good general trade is carried on; there are.several hat-factories, cotton-mills, machine shops, iron and brass foundries, etc. There are weekly markets for woolen goods and grain, and fortnightly fairs for cattle. The commerce of the town is facilitated by abundant means of communication. Pop. '71, of municipal borough, 44,5,59. Rochdale' returns one member to the house of commons.