Redruth began life as a small, quiet market town. Between 1700 and the 1850s, Redruth grew in size and stature due to it being situated in a copper-rich part of the land. It became the capital of the richest metal mining area in the country. The deep copper mining after the 1730s propelled Redruth from sleepy market town into a major urban centre, like it's neighbours Helston, Falmouth and Truro. Sadly, like so many other Cornish towns, hard times hit Redruth with the collapse of copper and tin mining in the mid 1860s, causing mine closure, massive wage cuts and even destitution. Again, like many other Cornish folk, many Redruth families emigrated to North America, Australia and later on South Africa to mine in other regions.
The town of Redruth is dominated by the hills of Carn Brea and Carn Marth. These granite covered hills are spectacular to look at and dotted with ancient monuments. On Carn Brea there are the remains of a Neolithic hillfort, one of the oldest settlements in Cornwall. Minerals were probably worked here since the Bronze and Iron Age.
As well as a vast mining heritage, Redruth is the spiritual home of Cornish rugby via the Recreation Ground rugby pitch. Rugby has a very special place in the heart's of Cornish people and the county side is something we are all very proud of. See the page on Cornish rugby for more information.
As for famous poeple, Redruth claims Richard Trevithick as their own. Although Camborne has definitely laid claim to him, Redruth folk say that as he came from Pool, which has a Redruth postcode, he must be one of theirs! Besides Trevithick, Mick Fleetword (of Fleetword Mac) was born and lived in Redruth when his Squadron Leader father was based at nearby RAF Portreath, and William Murdoch the Scottish inventor lived here, where in 1792 he lit his house with piped 'coal gas' (probably the first building in the world to be lit this way). Murdoch also invented a steam carriage and a method for clearing beer.
There are several suggestions as to where the name 'Redruth' comes from. One is that the name comes from the colour of St. Ruth's cloak, whereas a more likely one comes from the colour of the river (the Ruth part) which runs red from locally mined minerals.
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