The backbone of the valley is the Porter Brook with its sequence of 6 millponds (known locally as 'dams') . Water power was used for a variety of industries on the Porter: corn milling (at Mayfield), iron forging (at Forge Mill), wire drawing and saw blade manufacture (at Wire Mill). But the majority of wheels were devoted to the traditional Sheffield trade of grinding knives and other "edge" tools. Shepherd Wheel, ( see photograph below ) one of the earliest wheels built on the brook and the only one still surviving, is an example of this. The name derives from Edward Shepherd, a tenant there from 1749 to 1794.
The valley's history as a public 'green corridor' from the city out to the edge of the Peak National Park started in 1885 when the first land was bought and William Goldring, a nationally acclaimed park designer, was commissioned by the Corporation to adapt Endcliffe Wood for public use. The last acquisition was at the far end of the valley. Porter Clough, where the Porter Brook tumbles down between steep, wooded slopes, was presented to the town by the Graves Trust in 1937.
In addition to providing a natural location for some of Sheffield’s early water- powered industries. The Porter Valley was chosen by the famous and influential as their prestigious country retreat and principal residence.
Both Thomas Boulsover, the inventor of Sheffield Plate and
Samuel Plimsoll, political protagonist responsible for the adoption of the Plimsoll line on ships to safeguard against unscrupulous overloading by greedy merchants, lived in the heart of the Porter Valley at Whiteley Wood Hall. Plimsoll is the most famous former resident of the Porter Valley. He ‘out Googles’ Boulsover by more than 3 to1 !
In the 18th century as demand for knives began to grow, the Sheffield cutlery industry had the upper hand over all its rivals in the form of natural water power. Sheffield is built at the confluence of several rivers ( the Don, Rivelin, Loxley, Porter and Sheaf) fed from the hills. Natural sandstone was also in abundance in the nearby peak hills, Sheffield sits at the edge of these hills making it an easily extractable resource.
By 1740 Sheffield became the most extensive user of water power in Britain and probably Europe. By this time 90 mills had been built (2/3 of them for grinding), By 1850 these mills numbered well over 100. They could operate grindstones, forge-hammers and rolling mills, a vital part of the production route for knives. Another natural resource, coal which is used to feed the furnaces and forges was also readily available
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