York Historic Environment Record

The milepost is Listed Grade II. It is cast iron and was made Mattisons of Leeming Bar, Bedale. F Mattison and Co was once one of the biggest employers in Leeming Bar. The company is now almost completely forgotten except for the name which can be found on a wide range of cast iron products. The foundry operated betweeen 1851 and 1937. This milepost is triangular in section with sloping upper face. On the left face the inscription reads: "Malton 13 miles" below pointing hand; the right face reads: "York 5 miles" again below pointing hand. The manufacturer's name appears on the back. The A64 follows the line of the turnpike road from York to Scarborough. The York to Scarborough turnpike trust was established in 1752. Turnpike roads were toll roads, and the Turnpike trustees were empowered to collect tolls in order to maintain and improve the highway, especially to allow the passage of coaches. With the coming of canal and railways, the turnpikes became increasingly uneconomic and the York-Scarborough Turnpike Trust expired in 1865. It is possible that the milepost was erected during the period between 1851 and 1865. Milestone Society National ID: YN_YOMA05