The founder of Bolton's Magee Marshall and Co brewery was David Magee who was born in the town in about 1829.

In 1858, he was listed as proprietor of the Good Samaritan beer house and brewery at 73 Derby Street in Bradford Ward.

In 1866, he moved to the Crown Hotel at 217 Derby Street, and established the first Crown Brewery on land near the junction of Derby Street and Cricket Street.

The brewery was extended in 1875, and again in 1893.

Magee died in 1875, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Thomas, and his other sons, John and Joseph.

In 1885, the family took over Daniel Marshall's brewery and company Magee Marshall and Co was established in 1888.

In September, 1894, Magee Marshall bought Wigan Brewery. It also bought and built a number of pubs in the Lancashire coast holiday resorts.

Magee, Marshall and Co was taken over by Greenall Whitley and Co, of Warrington, in 1958. Beer making at the Crown Brewery continued until 1970. The building was demolished in 1984.