In the late 1860s, a mineral lease of over 3,000 acres of land, owned by three farms, Twyn-y-Garreg, Pantanas and Cefn Forest was exploited by a group of businessmen, headed by Frederick. W. Harris. There was no settlement here in those days just a beautiful green valley which was dissected by the small Taff Bargoed river.
Sinking commenced in 1873, and the colliery was to be named Harris’s Navigation Colliery (later Deep Navigation Colliery), the village which built up around it was subsequently names Harris’ town or Treharris.
In 1869, a row of small houses was built for the families and men who were to be employed to sink the pit. This small street was named the Twyn-y-Garreg Cottages, but have always been known locally as ‘The Huts’. There were 32 houses, and they mostly consisted of a kitchen and two bedrooms, although No.1 the Huts had four bedrooms, which the Minnett family of two adults and ten children occupied. These houses were made of wood and had hessian ceilings which were whitewashed, stone or brick chimney stacks and slate roofs. The rent was 7s. 8d.
There was a commercial bakery at the Huts, and the first school lessons and religious services in the area were held there too.
Remarkably these huts survived until the 1950’s when they were finally demolished. A new street is built on the site now, and is called Navigation Close.
