A brief history of Compton Hall
Compton Hall along with it's stables, coach-houses and yard, servants' quarters and lodge was built between 1840 and 1850. The first owner is believed to have been Thomas Elwell, a prosperous hardware merchant. It is probable that he also had the hall built, as records show that he did own buildings on the site in 1827 and these appear to have been part of a working farm. The architect Edward Banks is believed to have designed the buildings.
Thomas Elwell died in 1856, leaving the estate to his second son Charles. Charles had no family and consequently, when he died circa 1875, the property was sold.
During the next ten years the hall had two owners, Henry John Denton, who owned it from 1875 until 1884 and Sir John Morris, from 1884 until 1885.
In 1885, the hall was purchased by William Hodson who was a partner in the Springfield Brewery Co. Wolverhampton. He lived in the hall with his wife until his death in 1890.
Lawrence Hodson inherited both his father's estate and his shares in the Company. Consequently he became a Director of Springfield Brewery and became wealthy enough to finance both the alterations to the building and the purchase of one of the most impressive (at the time) art collections in the Midlands. The alterations were designed by William Morris and Co. one of the most distinguished architectural design companies in the country.
In 1906, Hodson fell into serious financial difficulties and was forced into putting both the hall and estate up for sale. It was bought by a Wolverhampton Industrialist, Thomas Adams, in September of the same year. He owned the hall until his death just before the outbreak of World War II.
During the war, the hall was used to house evacuees and when hostilities ceased it was purchased by the Jenks family. Unfortunately Mr Jenks died before the family could occupy the property and in July 1946, it was again sold. This time it was purchased by the Wolverhampton and Midlands Eye infirmary, to use as a residential development.
It was used as a nurses home for twenty three years, the last resident moving out in 1969. After being empty for seven years, plans were drawn up in 1976, to convert the building into a hospice for terminally ill patients. An extension to be used as patient's wards, was also planned.
Compton Hall was officially opened as a Hospice, by the Duchess of Kent on November 9th 1982.
