Lowther Street was the last street to be built in Carlisle when the East City Wall was demolished in 1808 and was initially a cul de sac with little traffic and was put to other uses.
The Carlisle Ship Canal gave Carlisle an outlet to the Solway at Port Carlisle from 1821 – 1853. Over this period ocean going ships were built in Carlisle at the Canal basin by Mr William Bell, launched from his timber yard.