Ye Old Cross Scythes Hotel, in about 1906

The date of the first building on this site is not known, but the original parts were certainly in existence in the 1700s. The top building which fronts onto the garden of Cross Grove House contains a number of interesting old windows and doors. This would probably have been the entrance to the original farm on the site.

Before the turnpike (Baslow Road) was built, the main bridle road was along the Dore Road (now Hillfoot Road) and in the other direction, down Totley Hall Lane towards Holmesfield. The original farm buildings on the Cross Scythes site were shown on a survey of Lord Middleton's estate in 1813; he was then the Lord of the Manor of Totley. About that time the tenant was Samuel Hopkinson, a farmer and scythe maker, who possibly worked in the scythe mill at Hillfoot. In those days, it was quite common for the scythe makers to have two trades. In the summer, local streams were reduced to a trickle and water power was not always available; thus it was useful to fall back on farm work.

An Act of Parliament in 1781 resulted in the Owler Bar-Totley turnpike being built with modifications being made in 1818. It is likely that Hopkinson would have seized the opportunity to cater to the passing-trade and to name the new inn after his own trade. The Dore & Totley Churchwardens and Constables Accounts Book for 1824 says that the Constable went to Chesterfield "on account of the death of James Hopkinson, son of Samuel Hopkinson of the Cross Scythes, Totley". Apparently the boy was killed as a result of a fall from a horse.

By 1836, Thomas Fisher had moved into the 'Cross' from Hallfield Farm taking his wife Jane, son Robert, aged 2, and daughter Jane, aged 1. The 1841 Census shows that the 40 year old Thomas had acquired three more children and two servants, whist continuing to run both farm and inn.

In 1846, John Thorpe changed the name to Ye Old Cross Scythes Hotel and stayed there until about 1856. He had been born in Ecclesall in 1814 but then married a Totley girl, Sarah, who bore him two daughters and four sons. Although John, judging from newspaper reports, was quite a character, he lived to the age of 75. Dying in Dublin, John Thorpe was buried in Dore Churchyard in the same grave as two of his sons.

For a short time, John Wagstaff ran the pub before the well known Job Green took over (not to be confused with John Green who was then at the Fleur-de-Lis). Job, who had a wife, Anne, and six children, was born about 1801. In early January 1848, Job had bought some land off Hillfoot Road from Joseph Turner for £5, On this land was built Totley's first church - the now closed Methodist Chapel. In 1849, Mr. Green made this land over to the trustees for the nominal sum of five shillings. Leaving the Cross Scythes in 1868, he died five years later and his grave can be seen in Dore graveyard. It is possible that Job had been a descendant of the William del Grene living in Totley in 1327.

The freehold of the buildings had been long since purchased by George B. Greaves, one of Totley's largest landowners, but on 26th July 1859 his estate was sold at Mr. Nicholson's auction in Sheffield. Details, along with other facts used here, can mostly be found in the Sheffield Collection at the Central Reference Library. 

From a modest beginning in 1851 at the age of 15, when he was farm servant to Joseph Hancock at Dore, Thomas Bown had done well. Now, in 1872, he was listed as blacksmith, agricultural implement manufacturer and also victualler. At that time the coaches to Bakewell, Buxton and Sheffield were calling at the inn during the summer season and, as it was 6 miles from Sheffield and 6 from Baslow, it was often called Halfway House. It was in 1885 that a horse bus service was started up from Dore and Totley station to the 'Cross', operated by a Grimesthorpe carting contractor called Michael Cottam. Thomas Bown continued farming and smithing, whilst landlord, until about 1891; the smithy has long been pulled down to make way for the car park.

For a few years a Mr. J. North sold wines and spirits, having changed the name back to The Old Cross Scythes. Then Matthew Sheppard took over and, in many ways, the inn changed quite dramatically, Down came the sign once more, the The replaced with a Ye, up went advertising hoardings announcing Amusements, Bowling Green, Good Stabling, Billiards, Catering and Accommodation for Cycles and Motor Cars.

For this was the end of the real horse transport days and the start of the motor age. The Cross Scythes became a favourite venue for penny farthing cyclists who eventually ventured up over Owler Bar to Baslow. The first party to complete the Journey felt obliged to telegraph their safe arrival. Up over the door went a large clock, which must have been a welcome sight for travellers (and in view of the never-working Corporation clock close by, would be welcomed back). Tennants Ales were announced too.