Shaw was originally a hamlet and sub-district of Crompton

Shaw appears to have originated as the commercial and ecclesiastic centre due to a small chapel sited there dating back to the 16th century. 

Before then, Whitfield had been the largest village in Crompton. In 1872, Shaw was noted as one of three villages in Crompton. 

However, due to Shaw's urbanisation following the construction of a major road from Werneth to Littleborough, and the establishment of a post office sub-district named and situated in Shaw, it came to dominate Crompton. Additionally, a separate ecclesiastical parish was created for the township in 1835, which was given the name Shaw because of the church's location on Shaw Moor, in Crompton.

The names merged to form the present day Shaw and Crompton, which boundary markers have used since at least the 1950s.

The area was dominated by 48 large cotton mills, solidifying its role as a textile producer. 

Shaw and Crompton had more millionaires per capita than any other town in the world.

Imports of foreign cotton goods saw a decline in the textile industry by the mid-20th century and the last mill closed in 1989

The name Shaw is derived from the Old English  word sceaga, meaning "wood"

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The Big Lamp is a local landmark. Originally, it was a six-sided gas-powered public street lamp standing 20 feet (6 m) high at the original cross-road junction of Manchester Road, Oldham Road, High Street, and Church Road.

Shaw and Crompton has communal areas and public facilities, including public parks, sporting establishments, and playing fields.

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