Boar's Head Cotton Mill Complex and Associated Housing, Darley Abbey. Thomas Evans began the mill building programme in 1782, and in order to attract an adequate work force to his new enterprise he created a new village, complete with school and other amenities. The Workers Housing: there was no cohesive plan for the housing, they were simply built in random groups at various dates, and include listed cottages on Poplar Row. (1) Poplar Row is a 3 storey terraced range of mill workers houses built by the Evans family by 1823. They are built from red brick with slate roofs, segmental brick-arched door and window openings and a brick header dentil course at eaves. (2)