The Paper Hall is the oldest house in Bradford and was constructed in about 1640 as a private house for William Rookes of Royds Hall Low Moor. The most illustrious occupant was James Garnett who lived here from 1794 until his death in 1829. Garnett inaugurated the Industrial Revolution in Bradford by installing in the loft of Paper Hall a number of hand worked spinning machines. The name Paper Hall first appears in 1756 when the Stansfield family occupied it. The origin of the name is vague but may be something to do with textiles, the early use of fabric or wallpaper or perhaps it has an association with Roman Catholic worship, i.e. Papist Hall.