Cox Green was once an important centre for coal and the village included a number of staiths for the movement of coal from rail to river. Shipyards developed at this point also. The first edition Ordnance Survey shows shipyards associated with a Timber Yard on the western bank of the Wear just beyond Cox Green. The shipyard site is currently a flat grassed area in public use, but some large stone walls remain in the area and there is the potential for survival of subsurface remains.

Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows Barmston Forge at this location.

This Wagonway is marked as ‘Old’ on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan, suggesting that it was out of use by 1858. It may represent the original line of the Washington Wagonway (HER ref. 2642).

Washington Chemical Works were set up by Hugh Lee Pattinson, co-founder of Felling Chemical Works (SMR 3537), with Robert Stirling Newall, on the site of an earlier bleach works and paper mill, in either 1837 or 1842, producing a range of products, but concentrating on the production of magnesia. Pattinson had patented a process for extracting silver from silver-rich lead ore in 1833. Pattinson patents a process for manufacturing magnesia alba (used for pharmaceutical purposes) and a simple method for obtaining white lead (for paint) in 1841/2. The works were designed to make muriatic acid (hydrolchoric acid) as its main product. Soda was a by-product. By 1850 the works were much enlarged. Isaac Lowthian Bell built a big plant for oxychloride of lead. A valuation of 1850 lists a range of workshops and offices, 230 x 60 ft, comprising of a joiner's shop, cooper's shop, plumber's shop, millwright's shop, smith's shop, paint mill, alkali mill, warehouse and clock tower and bell. Pattinson was responsible for developing the process of manufacturing Carbonate of Magnesia by submitting calcinated magnesian limestone to the action of carbonic acid under pressure, the magnesia dissolving out as bi-carbonate of magnesia, from which the neutral carbonate of magnesia was precipitated by the application of heat. That the works were producing soda crystals by 1850 suggests the setting up of the Leblanc process and the development of a large scale works probably not dissimilar to that at Felling. The discovery of iron ore in Cleveland led to furnaces being erected at Washington in 1856 by Messrs Bell Brothers. Pattinson retired in 1858, sold his shares to Bell and Swan and died in November of the same year. In 1859, Glover, the works manager, erected the first Glover Tower - a revolutionary new way to reduce sulphuric acid loss. By the end of 19th century the company was the largest manufacturer of magnesia chemicals in the world. But by 1878 the partnership is dissolved. Issac Lowthian Bell retired, and Robert Stirling Newall buys out Robert Benson Bowman. By 1891 the Washington Chemical Company acquired from America the process for making non-conducting coverings from magnesia. The business expands. In July 1893 the company is a private concern, consisting of Frederick Stirling Newall (grandson of Hugh Lee Pattinson), his family and friends. The works were in decline by the end of the 19th century and ownership was transferred to Newall's Insulation Ltd in 1903-8 and became Newall's Insulation and Chemical Company and remained thus until its closure in 1973. There is a photograph of women making blocks of "Pattinson magnesia" in Atkinson 1980. Surviving parts recorded in 2014.

Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows an Engine House on the course of a wagonway (HER ref. 3174).

An Engine and Boiler appear on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan on the line of an Old Wagonway (HER ref. 3057). At the time they may have still been working for the nearby Washington Wagonway (HER ref. 2624), or another wagonway (HER ref. 3174) which ran down to Washington Staith.

Washington Station was constructed on the North Eastern Railway (HER ref. 2625). The line was only used for mineral traffic. The station buildings and associated goods shed were recently in use as a store.

Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows Coke Ovens at this location. The number is unclear from the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan, but three batteries of ovens are shown.

This station at the junction of the North Eastern Railway, Pontop and South Shields Railway (HER ref. 2290), and the North Eastern Railway (HER ref. 2625) is marked as ‘Old’ on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan, so was probably out of use by 1858.

Washington Iron Works were established by 1858 and linked by rail to nearby coke ovens (HER ref. 3052). By the end of the 19th century the works had expanded but the coke ovens had closed, the site being used for the construction of the Chemical Works school. The iron works was owned for many years by Joseph Cook and Sons, engineer and iron & steel founders. They manufactured pit headgear, underground wagons, shovels and hardware for the coal mining industry.