The history of the village of Aberdare dates back
to at least the Twelfth Century. The modern town
of Aberdare developed during the mid Nineteenth Century
as a residential and commercial centre for the growing
industrial population of the area. This interactive
map extract taken from the First Edition of the Ordnance
Survey County Series of 1868, evokes the rich heritage
of the town.
In the early Nineteenth Century the transport needs
of local industry were served by the Aberdare Canal.
Although the Canal was small by contemporary standards,
it played a vital role in the industrial revolution.
Along the banks of the Canal opened some of the first
collieries to mine coal for the sale coal trade.
A trade that dominated South Wales for the next 100
years.
Located just North of Aberdare Town Centre, the
Gadlys Ironworks were opened in 1827. The Casting
House of the works are now home to the Cynon Valley
Museum.
