Name
The name means 'the dark coloured stream', from Old English blæc and wæter, which may be referring to a stream that ran into the River Medina there.
The mill there was referred to in the late 1800s as Huffingford Mill, an ancient name recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as Ovingefort or Huncheford, later being called Huvingeford (1289) and Hofyngeford (~1300). It is suspected to mean 'the ford of the people living by the hood-shaped hill', from Old English hūfe, -inga- and ford. The hill may be Great Down or St George's Down. [2]
Blackwater Lunatic Asylum
On July 7, 1896, the Blackwater Lunatic Asylum (later known as the Whitecroft Hospital) opened, after 2 years of work. Before then the patients were taken to Knowle Hospital, near Fareham, Hampshire. Because of the cost it was decided that the Island should have its own, and money was granted for it's construction. Various sites were put forward, but Whitecroft Farm, about 1 mile away from Newport, was chosen and 50 acres of land leased. B. S. Jacob from Kingston upon Hull was the architect. It supplied much-needed employment for the Island at the time, and, as similar development was happening at Parkhurst, people from the Mainland came and helped. It was estimated that 6 million bricks would be needed to be made from clay locally, but that was not possible. More bricks were imported. To speed up the building, railway tracks were laid, with horses pulling wagons. A brief strike was called between 2 workers, but they returned to work without their needs being met. Soon after, it was discovered that the water supply was contaminated and 2 men died of typhoid fever. When the building was completed, a new well was sunk and a water tower (now a Grade II listed building) was built. Inside the buildings there were kitchens, workshops, a laundry room, a well house, staff cottages and a lodge. [3]
After the opening, 40 men came by train to Blackwater and walked 1 mile to the site of the asylum. It was intended to house ~300 people. Patients were only allowed 1 visit per month. In 1992 it closed, with the old buildings temporarily being used as offices after. They have now been converted into private houses. [3] [4]
When work began to convert it into private homes, some builders walked off site, saying they felt uneasy. It is claimed to be one of the most haunted places on the Island. [4]
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