During the 1840s, it was the hub of the district and gained a simple stone Union Chapel serving several denominations, the Travellers' Rest Hotel, blacksmith, school, dwellings and other trappings of civilisation, together with a reserve which is now Houghton Common.
During the 1840s, it was the core of the district and featured a basic stone Union Chapel serving multiple religious groups, the Travellers' Rest Inn, blacksmith's shop, school, residences, and other signs of civilization, along with a reserve that is now Houghton Common.