An Overview of Pollok
From 1914 and before, the Pollok area was all fields and farms, which included dairy farming, potato's, wheat, turnips and other crops. In 1934 Glasgow Corporation as part of a plan to rehouse people from Glasgow's slums,purchased land to build a housing estate from Sir John Stirling Maxwell (1886-1956) who laid down stringent conditions on the form of the estate, resulting in what is today called Old Pollok. The new houses with their gardens, 3 bedrooms, separate kitchen & toilet were like a new world from the overcrowded single end type tenements of Glasgow from where most of the new residents came from.
The remainder of the housing estate was built after 1944, and German & Italian Pow's supplemented the local labour used in its construction, however the housing type and layout was not as attractive as the original estate. This was largely due to the urgency of providing adequate housing for a large number of people who needed to be rehoused after the 2nd World War.
In 1967 Pollok house, and gardens together with the adjoining lands were gifted to Glasgow by the Maxwell, MacDonald family.
When the the shipping magnate and art collector Sir William Burrell (1861-1958) died, he left his priceless art collection to the City of Glasgow. A purpose built gallery was built in the grounds of Pollok estate close by to the Pollok house. The Burrell gallery was opened by her Majesty the Queen in October 1983 and has acquired an International reputation in the world of art.
In 1979 a large covered shopping centre in the Pollok housing estate was opened by Princess Margaret. Up until this time, shopping was limited to a relatively small number of shops in the estate, and from door to door van's.
In 1986 the Pollok leisure centre was opened and it included a fitness studio, gym, and a tropical type swimming pool.
Today Pollok has changed with the addition of a new shopping complex, a civic realm, a leisure centre and many new houses have been built by private developers such that some area's of Pollok have been transformed, and the area has its own National Lottery funded Community Museum, or Kist (Scots word for storage chest)The museum is located at the Civic Realm, and it is run by local people and the Glasgow Open Museum .
The Pollok area is rich in history, and some highlights are as follows:-
Pollok is thought to have taken its name from a Gaelic word Pollag which means a small pool.
From BC to 5th & 6th century AD The early inhabitants were Celts.
The battle of Hastings in 1066 resulted in the immigration and influence of people from Normandy .
One of the first families to arrive were the Macusville's or Maxwells in the 1100's and in1747 a descendent, Sir John Stirling Maxwell built the manor of Pollok House which still exists today.
A Norman by the name of Walter Fitz Alan was granted lands including Pollok by King David 1st of Scotland about 1124.
A son named Robert - married into the De Croc( Norman ) family - lairds of Crookstoon. Their seat was Cruixton castle which was built in the 13th century and is associated with Henry Darnley who was the son of the Earl of Lennox, and Mary Queen of Scots.
The remains of Crookston castle are still standing today on the outer fringe of the old Pollok housing estate, and it is open to the public.
The remainder of the housing estate was built after 1944, and German & Italian Pow's supplemented the local labour used in its construction, however the housing type and layout was not as attractive as the original estate. This was largely due to the urgency of providing adequate housing for a large number of people who needed to be rehoused after the 2nd World War.
In 1967 Pollok house, and gardens together with the adjoining lands were gifted to Glasgow by the Maxwell, MacDonald family.
When the the shipping magnate and art collector Sir William Burrell (1861-1958) died, he left his priceless art collection to the City of Glasgow. A purpose built gallery was built in the grounds of Pollok estate close by to the Pollok house. The Burrell gallery was opened by her Majesty the Queen in October 1983 and has acquired an International reputation in the world of art.
In 1979 a large covered shopping centre in the Pollok housing estate was opened by Princess Margaret. Up until this time, shopping was limited to a relatively small number of shops in the estate, and from door to door van's.
In 1986 the Pollok leisure centre was opened and it included a fitness studio, gym, and a tropical type swimming pool.
Today Pollok has changed with the addition of a new shopping complex, a civic realm, a leisure centre and many new houses have been built by private developers such that some area's of Pollok have been transformed, and the area has its own National Lottery funded Community Museum, or Kist (Scots word for storage chest)The museum is located at the Civic Realm, and it is run by local people and the Glasgow Open Museum .
The Pollok area is rich in history, and some highlights are as follows:-
Pollok is thought to have taken its name from a Gaelic word Pollag which means a small pool.
From BC to 5th & 6th century AD The early inhabitants were Celts.
The battle of Hastings in 1066 resulted in the immigration and influence of people from Normandy .
One of the first families to arrive were the Macusville's or Maxwells in the 1100's and in1747 a descendent, Sir John Stirling Maxwell built the manor of Pollok House which still exists today.
A Norman by the name of Walter Fitz Alan was granted lands including Pollok by King David 1st of Scotland about 1124.
A son named Robert - married into the De Croc( Norman ) family - lairds of Crookstoon. Their seat was Cruixton castle which was built in the 13th century and is associated with Henry Darnley who was the son of the Earl of Lennox, and Mary Queen of Scots.
The remains of Crookston castle are still standing today on the outer fringe of the old Pollok housing estate, and it is open to the public.
LOOKING BACK
These tenements stood at the junction of Barrhead Road and Fairhill Avenue. The Bundy housing scheme included the following streets
Fairhill and the streets beyond; Dykefoot drive, Lawside Drive,Bridgend Road, linnbank Road, Nerston Road and Cowglen Road. The Bundy took its name from the Corporation Clock situated on the Barrhead Road. These clocks were a means by which Glasgow Corporation were able to time their bus crews as they had to clock on at intervals on their route. The Clippie was responsible for this task.
Due to overcrowding and slum clearances within the city, new housing was needed. After World War II many of the privately owned estates outside the city sold off land to the Corporation for housing development. Much of Greater Pollok is built on land once owned by the Maxwell Family. Most of the families housed in the Pollok area came from the south side tenement areas of Glasgow , and indeed most if not all were happy to make the move. Short on amenities it may have been, but for us kids growing up there, things were not too bad. We made the most of the open spaces around us, at least four football pitches at the Cowglen Road, the local woods where we had great fun with a swing where many a “boardy” resulted in limbs in plaster. Saturday Matinee in the hut on Brockburn Road where they showed mostly cowboy films, that took care of Saturday mornings. There was also the Pollok Cinema in the Shaws which showed more up to date films. A visit to the Shaws, be it for the pictures or the baths usually meant a visit to Pickwells orchard where there was an abundance of fruit for the picking, green apples and hairy goosegogs, which you got sick eating on the way home, and would end up throwing them at the buses on Barrhead Road.
A visit at home from the barber was quite often the norm, a shilling a time for a short back and sides. Our barber in the Bundy was known as “Nose”, he did most families in the area, so made a “good few bob”, there being big families at the time.
Opposite Mackies there was a caravan parked up were you could also get a haircut, and at its entrance was a sandwich board describing styles and the prices per hair-do. At weekends, Thursdays onwards, the chip van would arrive. It stood across from Mackies and was in fact a converted bus, an unusually shaped bus! Friday nights saw the largest queues at the van and fish suppers were a real treat, it being pay day.
Mackies was the local paper shop and sold just about everything, even coal! It cost 10 Shillings (50Pence) a bag. You either carried it on your shoulder, put it in a pram or pedalled home with it on the handlebars of your bike! Co-op, Galbraiths, Templetons, the Chemist and the two butchers ( Co-op and Galloways). Galbraiths was the first to introduce self service. That little row of shops was choc-a-block on a Saturday.
At night wee Dougie would be there selling the next days newspapers, the late night roll van (HOGGS) would be there, that was the place to go for a bit of late night gossip.
Could it be McKechnies rolls……….?
In the early days in the Bundy, the people who first settled there seem to have brought with them the same community spirit that kept them going in the old tenements, looking after each other, and each others weans, giving them a piece ‘n sugar or a piece ‘n jam when needed. Those who were brought up in the old tenements look back and say “it wasn’t all bad”.
The Bundy evokes that feeling amongst many of us who were brought up there.
Many changes have taken place in Pollok over the years; new houses and other developments are in place, and long overdue, even the Shopping Centre which replaced the Bundy has gone and a new multi-million pound shopping complex has transformed the area.
Fairhill and the streets beyond; Dykefoot drive, Lawside Drive,Bridgend Road, linnbank Road, Nerston Road and Cowglen Road. The Bundy took its name from the Corporation Clock situated on the Barrhead Road. These clocks were a means by which Glasgow Corporation were able to time their bus crews as they had to clock on at intervals on their route. The Clippie was responsible for this task.
Due to overcrowding and slum clearances within the city, new housing was needed. After World War II many of the privately owned estates outside the city sold off land to the Corporation for housing development. Much of Greater Pollok is built on land once owned by the Maxwell Family. Most of the families housed in the Pollok area came from the south side tenement areas of Glasgow , and indeed most if not all were happy to make the move. Short on amenities it may have been, but for us kids growing up there, things were not too bad. We made the most of the open spaces around us, at least four football pitches at the Cowglen Road, the local woods where we had great fun with a swing where many a “boardy” resulted in limbs in plaster. Saturday Matinee in the hut on Brockburn Road where they showed mostly cowboy films, that took care of Saturday mornings. There was also the Pollok Cinema in the Shaws which showed more up to date films. A visit to the Shaws, be it for the pictures or the baths usually meant a visit to Pickwells orchard where there was an abundance of fruit for the picking, green apples and hairy goosegogs, which you got sick eating on the way home, and would end up throwing them at the buses on Barrhead Road.
A visit at home from the barber was quite often the norm, a shilling a time for a short back and sides. Our barber in the Bundy was known as “Nose”, he did most families in the area, so made a “good few bob”, there being big families at the time.
Opposite Mackies there was a caravan parked up were you could also get a haircut, and at its entrance was a sandwich board describing styles and the prices per hair-do. At weekends, Thursdays onwards, the chip van would arrive. It stood across from Mackies and was in fact a converted bus, an unusually shaped bus! Friday nights saw the largest queues at the van and fish suppers were a real treat, it being pay day.
Mackies was the local paper shop and sold just about everything, even coal! It cost 10 Shillings (50Pence) a bag. You either carried it on your shoulder, put it in a pram or pedalled home with it on the handlebars of your bike! Co-op, Galbraiths, Templetons, the Chemist and the two butchers ( Co-op and Galloways). Galbraiths was the first to introduce self service. That little row of shops was choc-a-block on a Saturday.
At night wee Dougie would be there selling the next days newspapers, the late night roll van (HOGGS) would be there, that was the place to go for a bit of late night gossip.
Could it be McKechnies rolls……….?
In the early days in the Bundy, the people who first settled there seem to have brought with them the same community spirit that kept them going in the old tenements, looking after each other, and each others weans, giving them a piece ‘n sugar or a piece ‘n jam when needed. Those who were brought up in the old tenements look back and say “it wasn’t all bad”.
The Bundy evokes that feeling amongst many of us who were brought up there.
Many changes have taken place in Pollok over the years; new houses and other developments are in place, and long overdue, even the Shopping Centre which replaced the Bundy has gone and a new multi-million pound shopping complex has transformed the area.
Memories of Old Nitshill
Anyone born in the age of Steam and horse transport as I was, must have memories from schooldays of the changing ways in the world just ready to erupt into another age of surprise and progress, and this was especially so in our village life in ‘Nitshill.’
In the 1890’s lighting was by paraffin lamps and by gas in a few places. Dry closets and open ashpits were all over the place. Travelling from the village was only by train or walking. Ruling officialdom seemed to be a bit afraid of new methods because when a road roller or thrashing mill went through the place, they were led by a man carrying a red flag in case they would exceed five miles an hour. But we boys saw the changes coming when Watty Crebar came shopping in his newly built horseless car, and his son George began experimenting with gliders before we had heard of the Wright Brothers or Bleriot.
Around 1870 the Darnley hospital was opened to replace the timber structure in Barrrhead Road, opposite Pollok golf course now used as a riding school. A little later, I think in 1909 I remember going to the polling station at election time just out of boy’s curiosity. My pal that evening wore red white and blue as his father was a well known Liberal. The change from that time is that my schoolmate is now a well known Labour M.P. Seeing a few volunteers off to the Boer War was an event, as nearly everyone was at the railway station to bid them farewell. About this time it was interesting to hear from someone who remembered the Nitshill Pit disaster in 1851 when 63 men lost their lives, and again from one who had actually paid tolls at Darnley to old roadman Reilly, who collected the tolls.
At the turn of the century work was provided by quarrying, coal pits, chemichals, limeworks and brickworks, and the mill girls travelled by train to Neilston where work began at 6am and finished at 6pm. wages were very low and anyone getting a sovereign in their pay packet was judged to be very fortunate.
Football was the popular sport, and it was here the original ‘Hi-Hi’ man, jock Taylor was heard on Saturday evenings when he arrived home after watching the old 3rd L.V.R’s. The villagers got their first look at Rangers when they played a friendly against Levern Victoria on Holm Park and now Newfield Square.
Football players home from Englandduring the close season enjoying their £208 a year, were an attraction for the boys, and none more so than Jock McMahon, wearing his cup medal won by Manchesterprior to the whole outfit being suspended Sine Die by the E.F.A. for paying more than allowed by rule. The local football pitch went back to agriculture about 1905 and anywhere a ball could be kicked was utilized until the Royal Vics started up at Darnley in 1910, and until the great war began, their record was: Renfrewshire Cup – won twice; Paisley and district cup – won twice; R.U. once: Barrhead and district league – won once; Scott Cup – won once; Pollok Tourney Final and Scottish Cup – last eight out of 269 entries. The man behind the Royal was dynamic Jas. F. Montgomerie now Capt Montgomerie M.C.O.B.E.
Another outfit was Levern Thistle who played at the Hurlet, and who brought out a few senior players, amongst whom was bobby Templeton who played for Hibs and finished as manager before the McCartney days. Templeton learned his boyish football where the bowling greenis now and lives where ‘Sams’ shop is at present.
During the early 1900’s the villagers subscribed for a public hall, financially assisted by Miss Dove of the cottages in Glenlora, and who later became Lady Congleton in Cheshire.
Changes were rapidly taking place when war was declared in 1914, and the village was stripped of its fine youth. The awful losses which they suffered can be seen registered on the War memorial. One in six who enlisted, won honours, 31 in all V.C.,M.C., D.C.M.s.
The bowling greenwas opened just one year when the war began and became a meeting place for the older men who were left at home.
The biggest changes began after the war. More transport out of the place, ex-servicemen unsettled, getting around more, and when the district was annexed to Glasgowand the building of new homes began, the beginning of the end of village life crept in.
The bad times of the early 1930’s were got over, and things looked not so bad when the second World War began. With some of us, this rekindled memories of the previous war, but everyone seemed to realize the enemy facing us.
After the war, the new building schemes went ahead, and the last signs of a village community floated into the past. We lost the old names like Wellington Road, Waterloo, Turnberry Road, VictoriaRoad, Paisley Road,Thornlie Roadetc.
When I was first able to count I managed to tally five pubs and one licenced grocer, fromLevern Schoolto the railway bridge for around 1,000 of a population.
Today I count the same number for 30/40,000.
There is so much more I can recall, but it would require a lot of ink and paper, but suffice it to say I set out to note changes in the district, and there have been many. We liked the old village life, but we did not see ahead the amenities we would have laid on at this time. We have new people around now of various moods and various types, but people matter, and considering all things ‘Yes’ must be the answer to ‘is Today better than Yesterday’
What the new folks will never hear is the noise of the pit wheels whirling, the clippity-clop of the horses, the lowing of the cattle in the meadow and the pleasantest sound of all – the laughter of the children on the village greens, unworried about safety rules, because the fast traffic had still to come.
By J.B.Hunter
In the 1890’s lighting was by paraffin lamps and by gas in a few places. Dry closets and open ashpits were all over the place. Travelling from the village was only by train or walking. Ruling officialdom seemed to be a bit afraid of new methods because when a road roller or thrashing mill went through the place, they were led by a man carrying a red flag in case they would exceed five miles an hour. But we boys saw the changes coming when Watty Crebar came shopping in his newly built horseless car, and his son George began experimenting with gliders before we had heard of the Wright Brothers or Bleriot.
Around 1870 the Darnley hospital was opened to replace the timber structure in Barrrhead Road, opposite Pollok golf course now used as a riding school. A little later, I think in 1909 I remember going to the polling station at election time just out of boy’s curiosity. My pal that evening wore red white and blue as his father was a well known Liberal. The change from that time is that my schoolmate is now a well known Labour M.P. Seeing a few volunteers off to the Boer War was an event, as nearly everyone was at the railway station to bid them farewell. About this time it was interesting to hear from someone who remembered the Nitshill Pit disaster in 1851 when 63 men lost their lives, and again from one who had actually paid tolls at Darnley to old roadman Reilly, who collected the tolls.
At the turn of the century work was provided by quarrying, coal pits, chemichals, limeworks and brickworks, and the mill girls travelled by train to Neilston where work began at 6am and finished at 6pm. wages were very low and anyone getting a sovereign in their pay packet was judged to be very fortunate.
Football was the popular sport, and it was here the original ‘Hi-Hi’ man, jock Taylor was heard on Saturday evenings when he arrived home after watching the old 3rd L.V.R’s. The villagers got their first look at Rangers when they played a friendly against Levern Victoria on Holm Park and now Newfield Square.
Football players home from Englandduring the close season enjoying their £208 a year, were an attraction for the boys, and none more so than Jock McMahon, wearing his cup medal won by Manchesterprior to the whole outfit being suspended Sine Die by the E.F.A. for paying more than allowed by rule. The local football pitch went back to agriculture about 1905 and anywhere a ball could be kicked was utilized until the Royal Vics started up at Darnley in 1910, and until the great war began, their record was: Renfrewshire Cup – won twice; Paisley and district cup – won twice; R.U. once: Barrhead and district league – won once; Scott Cup – won once; Pollok Tourney Final and Scottish Cup – last eight out of 269 entries. The man behind the Royal was dynamic Jas. F. Montgomerie now Capt Montgomerie M.C.O.B.E.
Another outfit was Levern Thistle who played at the Hurlet, and who brought out a few senior players, amongst whom was bobby Templeton who played for Hibs and finished as manager before the McCartney days. Templeton learned his boyish football where the bowling greenis now and lives where ‘Sams’ shop is at present.
During the early 1900’s the villagers subscribed for a public hall, financially assisted by Miss Dove of the cottages in Glenlora, and who later became Lady Congleton in Cheshire.
Changes were rapidly taking place when war was declared in 1914, and the village was stripped of its fine youth. The awful losses which they suffered can be seen registered on the War memorial. One in six who enlisted, won honours, 31 in all V.C.,M.C., D.C.M.s.
The bowling greenwas opened just one year when the war began and became a meeting place for the older men who were left at home.
The biggest changes began after the war. More transport out of the place, ex-servicemen unsettled, getting around more, and when the district was annexed to Glasgowand the building of new homes began, the beginning of the end of village life crept in.
The bad times of the early 1930’s were got over, and things looked not so bad when the second World War began. With some of us, this rekindled memories of the previous war, but everyone seemed to realize the enemy facing us.
After the war, the new building schemes went ahead, and the last signs of a village community floated into the past. We lost the old names like Wellington Road, Waterloo, Turnberry Road, VictoriaRoad, Paisley Road,Thornlie Roadetc.
When I was first able to count I managed to tally five pubs and one licenced grocer, fromLevern Schoolto the railway bridge for around 1,000 of a population.
Today I count the same number for 30/40,000.
There is so much more I can recall, but it would require a lot of ink and paper, but suffice it to say I set out to note changes in the district, and there have been many. We liked the old village life, but we did not see ahead the amenities we would have laid on at this time. We have new people around now of various moods and various types, but people matter, and considering all things ‘Yes’ must be the answer to ‘is Today better than Yesterday’
What the new folks will never hear is the noise of the pit wheels whirling, the clippity-clop of the horses, the lowing of the cattle in the meadow and the pleasantest sound of all – the laughter of the children on the village greens, unworried about safety rules, because the fast traffic had still to come.
By J.B.Hunter
Priesthill in the 50's
We were just about to leave Bridgeton to go to Ardrossan on holiday when a letter arrived from Glasgow Corporation to say we had been allocated a five apartment house in Priesthill (Where?). My parents had to attend an interview and our tenement two room and kitchen had to be inspected to make sure our Furniture and Bedding was free of any Infestation
My dad (The Boss) decided we would go to Ardrossan, where wewere renting two rooms ( Booked for two weeks ) and he and my Mum would come back up for the Interview. As the eldest daughter ( Aged Fourteen ) I was left in charge of my three brothers and one sister for a few days. On the Thursday of the first week I got a telegram saying “Beautiful house in Priesthill" back tomorrow. My parents arrived on the Friday morning and we had to get stuck in with the packing. We were luckier than a lot of people because we had come to Glasgow from a large house in Reading at the start of the war. Since we were going to a much smaller house, a lot of our furniture had been farmed out to relatives. When it was gathered together again, we needed two Pickfords removal vans to get it to Priesthill. We flitted on the 12th July 1950 , which was a glorious sunny day. My brother played the piano in one of the vans all the way. We did have one stop at the Old Swan Public House so my Dad could buy some beer for the removal men.
My Dad had been very handy with the sewing machine and had made matching curtains for all the front windows, and fitted a stair carpet with lovely bronze coloured clips. With ample furniture in place and all the curtains hung we were considered well off. Many families had come from single ends and even just from staying in rooms belonging to relatives. There was a lot of hardship suffered until the children became old enough to go to work, and gradually furnish their new homes eventually turning them into little “Palaces”.The downside of moving was to sink in gradually, no buses, no shops, freezing bedrooms and nowhere to socialise and most of the children had to travel back to their old schools.
My dad (The Boss) decided we would go to Ardrossan, where wewere renting two rooms ( Booked for two weeks ) and he and my Mum would come back up for the Interview. As the eldest daughter ( Aged Fourteen ) I was left in charge of my three brothers and one sister for a few days. On the Thursday of the first week I got a telegram saying “Beautiful house in Priesthill" back tomorrow. My parents arrived on the Friday morning and we had to get stuck in with the packing. We were luckier than a lot of people because we had come to Glasgow from a large house in Reading at the start of the war. Since we were going to a much smaller house, a lot of our furniture had been farmed out to relatives. When it was gathered together again, we needed two Pickfords removal vans to get it to Priesthill. We flitted on the 12th July 1950 , which was a glorious sunny day. My brother played the piano in one of the vans all the way. We did have one stop at the Old Swan Public House so my Dad could buy some beer for the removal men.
My Dad had been very handy with the sewing machine and had made matching curtains for all the front windows, and fitted a stair carpet with lovely bronze coloured clips. With ample furniture in place and all the curtains hung we were considered well off. Many families had come from single ends and even just from staying in rooms belonging to relatives. There was a lot of hardship suffered until the children became old enough to go to work, and gradually furnish their new homes eventually turning them into little “Palaces”.The downside of moving was to sink in gradually, no buses, no shops, freezing bedrooms and nowhere to socialise and most of the children had to travel back to their old schools.
The Victoria Pit Disaster
On Saturday the 15th of March 1851 , between the hours of four and five in the morning, a massive explosion took place deep within the workings of the Victoria Pit. The area where the blast was most destructive was situated at the Free Trader pit, an unused mine connected to the Victoria Pit, about half a mile away.
As a result of the explosion,63 men and boys lost their lives. The mine, at 170 fathoms was the deepest in Scotland , and covered an area of 70 acres. The cause of the disaster will never truly be known, but speculation at the time seems to be of the opinion that a roof fall blocked the air-flow, allowing gasses to build up. The miners at the time only had the common lamp, which was in fact like a small inverted cone which contained tallow (fat) or oil, with a small wick at the narrow end. This was their only means of illumination, and was either strapped to the forehead or hooked onto a nearby prop. As has been said, this was the "common lamp" with an open flame, and was widely used by miners throughout the industry. Could this have been the factor that contributed to the massive explosion which took place ? Only the Overman in charge of ventilation and safety carried the Davy lamp, a lamp that would become a common feature for miners at the coal face, a much safer means of illumination. By the time the roof had collapsed, the Overman had returned to the surface having completed his various checks. The Illustrated London News was one of the newspapers reporting at the time and comments on the situation above ground,
"The scene in the vicinity was most distressing. A large crowd of the female relatives of those buried alive in the pit were crying bitterly and waiting anxiously to learn something of the fate of those near and dear to them. One woman had four sons and her husband in the pit." "On Sunday it was definitely ascertained that the number of persons in the pit was 63. 55 men and 8 lads. The stable of the pit ponies was blown to pieces and all the animals were killed. On Sunday and Monday efforts were made to discover if any men were still alive. About ten o'clock on Sunday night one man, John Cochrane, was brought up alive and on Monday David Colville was also brought up." "It was fully a week later before the last of the bodies were recovered and brought to the surface, and on Saturday and Sunday 22nd and 23rd April, 1851,and on Monday 24th, all the bodies were buried in one grave in the graveyard adjoining the Rev. Father Sheedy`s Church ( St .John`s ). Years later the bodies were exhumed and laid to their final rest in three separate cemeteries: Neilston, Paisley and Renfrew. PS. The writers have recently discovered that there could be some bodies still, in St. Johns , in an unmarked grave. Before the disaster, people believed it was ventilated on most admirable principles, and Messrs` Coatts (the owner) spared neither labour nor expense to render it in the highest degree safe and healthful. It was so superior that a scale model was made for the great Exhibition at Hyde Park in London. Needles to say , after the explosion it was never sent. At one time it was estimated that up to 20,000 people congregated on a nearby hill from which a partial view of the pit-head could be obtained.
The Miners who died in the Victoria Pit disaster:
Bernard Martin - married. Patrick O`Neill -married. Thomas Connelly - father. Felix Connelly & son. Thomas Scott - father. William Scott & son Michael Smith - unmarried. Andrew Carson - married. Felix O`Neill - unmarried. Michael Irving - unmarried. Neil Buchanan - father. Neil Buchanan and James Buchanan - sons. Thomas Samson - unmarried. Matthew Spiers - married. James McLachlan - married. Thomas Hughes and Francis Hughes - both unmarried. Henry Gibbs - married. John Mulholland - married. Robert Black - married. Patrick Keenan -unmarried. Neil Carlan - unmarried. James Baxter and Joseph Baxter - both unmarried brothers. John Smith - married. Richard Smith - unmarried, John McMachan - married. John Campbell - unmarried. Samual McDowall - unmarried. John Williamson - unmarried James Poole - widower. Connel Kerr and James Kerr, Brothers - both unmarried. Thomas Alison - grandson to James Kerr - unmarried. Patrick Crossan and Dennis Crossan, father & son - son unmarried. Robert Whiteside and George Whiteside, father & son - son unmarried. William Macmillan and John Macmillan, father & son - son unmarried. Peter Hammond - father John Hammond and James Hammond - two sons. Peter White and Thomas White, father & son - son unmarried. Andrew Gebbie, father - two sons Andrew Gebbie and David Gebbie -sons unmarried. David Colville - married. James Dodds - married. John Connelly - married. John Bell - married. Joseph Macilwam - married. Samual Macilwam, nephews Joseph Macilwam of the above. John Cochran - married. Joseph Brighton - married. John Smith - married. John Maxwell - unmarried. Charles Shields and James Shields, father & son - son unmarried. John Shields brother of Charles Shields - unmarried.
As a result of the explosion,63 men and boys lost their lives. The mine, at 170 fathoms was the deepest in Scotland , and covered an area of 70 acres. The cause of the disaster will never truly be known, but speculation at the time seems to be of the opinion that a roof fall blocked the air-flow, allowing gasses to build up. The miners at the time only had the common lamp, which was in fact like a small inverted cone which contained tallow (fat) or oil, with a small wick at the narrow end. This was their only means of illumination, and was either strapped to the forehead or hooked onto a nearby prop. As has been said, this was the "common lamp" with an open flame, and was widely used by miners throughout the industry. Could this have been the factor that contributed to the massive explosion which took place ? Only the Overman in charge of ventilation and safety carried the Davy lamp, a lamp that would become a common feature for miners at the coal face, a much safer means of illumination. By the time the roof had collapsed, the Overman had returned to the surface having completed his various checks. The Illustrated London News was one of the newspapers reporting at the time and comments on the situation above ground,
"The scene in the vicinity was most distressing. A large crowd of the female relatives of those buried alive in the pit were crying bitterly and waiting anxiously to learn something of the fate of those near and dear to them. One woman had four sons and her husband in the pit." "On Sunday it was definitely ascertained that the number of persons in the pit was 63. 55 men and 8 lads. The stable of the pit ponies was blown to pieces and all the animals were killed. On Sunday and Monday efforts were made to discover if any men were still alive. About ten o'clock on Sunday night one man, John Cochrane, was brought up alive and on Monday David Colville was also brought up." "It was fully a week later before the last of the bodies were recovered and brought to the surface, and on Saturday and Sunday 22nd and 23rd April, 1851,and on Monday 24th, all the bodies were buried in one grave in the graveyard adjoining the Rev. Father Sheedy`s Church ( St .John`s ). Years later the bodies were exhumed and laid to their final rest in three separate cemeteries: Neilston, Paisley and Renfrew. PS. The writers have recently discovered that there could be some bodies still, in St. Johns , in an unmarked grave. Before the disaster, people believed it was ventilated on most admirable principles, and Messrs` Coatts (the owner) spared neither labour nor expense to render it in the highest degree safe and healthful. It was so superior that a scale model was made for the great Exhibition at Hyde Park in London. Needles to say , after the explosion it was never sent. At one time it was estimated that up to 20,000 people congregated on a nearby hill from which a partial view of the pit-head could be obtained.
The Miners who died in the Victoria Pit disaster:
Bernard Martin - married. Patrick O`Neill -married. Thomas Connelly - father. Felix Connelly & son. Thomas Scott - father. William Scott & son Michael Smith - unmarried. Andrew Carson - married. Felix O`Neill - unmarried. Michael Irving - unmarried. Neil Buchanan - father. Neil Buchanan and James Buchanan - sons. Thomas Samson - unmarried. Matthew Spiers - married. James McLachlan - married. Thomas Hughes and Francis Hughes - both unmarried. Henry Gibbs - married. John Mulholland - married. Robert Black - married. Patrick Keenan -unmarried. Neil Carlan - unmarried. James Baxter and Joseph Baxter - both unmarried brothers. John Smith - married. Richard Smith - unmarried, John McMachan - married. John Campbell - unmarried. Samual McDowall - unmarried. John Williamson - unmarried James Poole - widower. Connel Kerr and James Kerr, Brothers - both unmarried. Thomas Alison - grandson to James Kerr - unmarried. Patrick Crossan and Dennis Crossan, father & son - son unmarried. Robert Whiteside and George Whiteside, father & son - son unmarried. William Macmillan and John Macmillan, father & son - son unmarried. Peter Hammond - father John Hammond and James Hammond - two sons. Peter White and Thomas White, father & son - son unmarried. Andrew Gebbie, father - two sons Andrew Gebbie and David Gebbie -sons unmarried. David Colville - married. James Dodds - married. John Connelly - married. John Bell - married. Joseph Macilwam - married. Samual Macilwam, nephews Joseph Macilwam of the above. John Cochran - married. Joseph Brighton - married. John Smith - married. John Maxwell - unmarried. Charles Shields and James Shields, father & son - son unmarried. John Shields brother of Charles Shields - unmarried.
Crookston Homes
The Aerial photograph shows the layout of the homes as it was from September 1938 to March 1995, when it was used as a home for the aged citizens of Glasgow.
It started life as a poorhouse and a home for orphans, and had its own farm with greenhouses to grow vegetables, and pastures for livestock such as cows, pigs and hens all of which provided food for the residents.
As the need for such large orphanages lessened, Crookston Homes was transformed into a convalescent home for soldiers and people suffering from TB.
Gradually this need also diminished and it was next changed into a residential home for the elderly, a concept much before its time. It was at one time, one of the largest such homes in Europe , housing some 500 elderly resident men and women. The complex was divided into three units, the cottages, the annexes and the wards.
Those who were able to fend for themselves with minimum supervision were placed in the cottages which consisted of a sitting room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. They were provided with weekly food bundles. Basic furniture was provided if required, or they could bring some of their own.Domestics cleaned the cottages and a porter collected rubbish and delivered heavy goods weekly, whilst the able residents did the daily chores. The cottage residents had a small garden where they could grow things.
There was also a bowling green and putting green where they could enjoy gentle exercise.
This is of photo Agnes (Grannie) Campbell of Laidlaw St Glasgow, a resident of the homes in the 1940's.
Also situated within the complex was a small shop and concert hall where Sunday services were held as well as entertainment on other days. All the units within the complex had their own staff who vied with each other to raise funds by holding garden fetes etc.
When a resident required more support, they could move into the annexes which had single rooms. When finally they required even more support or nursing care, they could move to the wards.
The King and Queen visited in the 1930's and a commemorative tree was planted. Apparently they remarked, that it was a concept well before its time with its different areas of care and support depending on the needs of the residents.
In its heyday Crookston Homes was the place to be if you could not look after yourself, as essentially it was a small village with its own community structure.
In 1966 the land was sold to developers and is now a private housing estate.
This information was kindly provided by Nan Irving who worked as a nursing sister in the homes.
When a resident required more support, they could move into the annexes which had single rooms. When finally they required even more support or nursing care, they could move to the wards.
The King and Queen visited in the 1930's and a commemorative tree was planted. Apparently they remarked, that it was a concept well before its time with its different areas of care and support depending on the needs of the residents.
In its heyday Crookston Homes was the place to be if you could not look after yourself, as essentially it was a small village with its own community structure.
In 1966 the land was sold to developers and is now a private housing estate.
This information was kindly provided by Nan Irving who worked as a nursing sister in the homes.
Hurlet Minerals
The Hurlet and surrounding area was rich in coal, and there were a number of mines in the area which employed many people to dig it out.
As well as coal, other minerals were mined and used for a number of different purposes, which are explained in the text.
A typical cross section of a Hurlet mine is shown below.
As well as coal, other minerals were mined and used for a number of different purposes, which are explained in the text.
A typical cross section of a Hurlet mine is shown below.
Alum:
Alum, (Potassium Aluminium Sulfate) is found in waste shale from coal mines.
After the coal has been taken out, the schist (layered crystalline rock) being exposed to the action of the air, undergoes decomposition. The sulphur is converted into sulphates by the absorption of oxygen, and by exfoliation readily separates itself from the limestone, and is very soluble in water.
This schistus, as drawn from the coal wastes, is percolated at the chemical works in large stone cisterns, and the resultant liquid is then evaporated till it attains the required specific gravity. Sulphate or muriate of potash is added so that the mixture becomes a crystallizable salt.
Alum was used as a Mordant for dyeing textiles.A Mordant (from a French word meaning 'to bite') is a substance applied to fibers before dyeing which helps the dye adhere to the fibers, so that the colours did not run out when the textiles were washed.
Other uses included flameproofing textiles, in baking powder and in medicines to reduce mucus, and to stop bleeding.
In 1797 Scotland's first Alum works were established at the Hurlet beside the Levern Water by Charles Macintosh (who later went on to invent the Macintosh Raincoat).
Coal:
Coal is a solid, dark-colored fuel found in deposits of sedimentary rock. Coal is burned to produce energy, and is used for example to heat homes and for cooking, to make steam which turned a turbine to produce electricity in a power station, to power steam engines for ships and railway trains, to heat furnaces to make steel and to drive machinery in a factory.
It was also used extensively to make coal gas which was piped into homes for heating, cooking and lighting. Up until 1986 the Millport gas works was still in production.
It is also an important source of chemicals used to make pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, pesticides, and other products. Coal comes from ancient plants buried over millions of years in the earth’s crust, and is formed from the carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and mineral elements in the plant matter.
Coal, is known as a fossil fuel because it comes from the remains of ancient plant life buried deep in the earth.
Copperas:
Copperas is a form of ferrous sulphate derived from iron pyrites - crystalysed salt- extensively used in the textile industry.
Textiles were bleached by being laid out in fields in the sunlight, hence the name 'Bleachfields'. This bleaching process took a long time, and of course could not be done when it rained, when there was no sun or when it was snowing in the winter, so the process was very much dependent upon the weather.
Copperas was found to be a key ingredient in making nitric acid and sulfuric acid from which chlorine was produced.
Chlorine transformed the textile industry as it is a strong oxidiser and bleaching agent, so textiles could be then bleached in a matter of hours in factories, regardless of the weather.
Copperas was also used as a dye fixative for woolens, as a tanning agent for leather, and in the manufacture of printers ink
Fireclay:
A type of clay taken from coal mines which is able to withstand intense heat. Blocks of clay were baked in a kiln to form bricks for furnace linings, gas work retorts and glass furnaces etc where resistance to great heat was important.
Limestone:
Lime was extracted from limestone by heating in a kiln. There were limestone kilns in Priesthill and lime works near where the Darnley Mill (Ashoka restraunt) stands today.
Lime was used extensively in agriculture where it was spread onto ploughed fields and mixed in with the soil to neutralize acid soils, so that better crops could be grown.
Lime was also used in the steel industry where coal was first heated and converted to coke. The coke was combined with iron ore and limestone and heated to a very high temperature to produce iron.
In that process, impurities such as silicon, phosphorus, manganeze, and sulfur combined with the limestone to form a slag.
Sandstone:
A sedimentary rock made of consolidated masses of sand deposited over a very long period of time.
The chemical composition of sandstone is the same as that of sand; that is, the rock is composed essentially of quartz. The material that binds together the grains of sand is usually composed of silica, calcium carbonate, or iron oxide. The color of the sandstone is often determined largely by the binding material, iron oxides causing a red or reddish-brown sandstone, and the other materials producing white, yellowish, or grayish sandstone.
Sandstone was used in building construction, and there are many fine buildings still in existence in Glasgow and elsewhere which are made of sandstone.
Alum, (Potassium Aluminium Sulfate) is found in waste shale from coal mines.
After the coal has been taken out, the schist (layered crystalline rock) being exposed to the action of the air, undergoes decomposition. The sulphur is converted into sulphates by the absorption of oxygen, and by exfoliation readily separates itself from the limestone, and is very soluble in water.
This schistus, as drawn from the coal wastes, is percolated at the chemical works in large stone cisterns, and the resultant liquid is then evaporated till it attains the required specific gravity. Sulphate or muriate of potash is added so that the mixture becomes a crystallizable salt.
Alum was used as a Mordant for dyeing textiles.A Mordant (from a French word meaning 'to bite') is a substance applied to fibers before dyeing which helps the dye adhere to the fibers, so that the colours did not run out when the textiles were washed.
Other uses included flameproofing textiles, in baking powder and in medicines to reduce mucus, and to stop bleeding.
In 1797 Scotland's first Alum works were established at the Hurlet beside the Levern Water by Charles Macintosh (who later went on to invent the Macintosh Raincoat).
Coal:
Coal is a solid, dark-colored fuel found in deposits of sedimentary rock. Coal is burned to produce energy, and is used for example to heat homes and for cooking, to make steam which turned a turbine to produce electricity in a power station, to power steam engines for ships and railway trains, to heat furnaces to make steel and to drive machinery in a factory.
It was also used extensively to make coal gas which was piped into homes for heating, cooking and lighting. Up until 1986 the Millport gas works was still in production.
It is also an important source of chemicals used to make pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, pesticides, and other products. Coal comes from ancient plants buried over millions of years in the earth’s crust, and is formed from the carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and mineral elements in the plant matter.
Coal, is known as a fossil fuel because it comes from the remains of ancient plant life buried deep in the earth.
Copperas:
Copperas is a form of ferrous sulphate derived from iron pyrites - crystalysed salt- extensively used in the textile industry.
Textiles were bleached by being laid out in fields in the sunlight, hence the name 'Bleachfields'. This bleaching process took a long time, and of course could not be done when it rained, when there was no sun or when it was snowing in the winter, so the process was very much dependent upon the weather.
Copperas was found to be a key ingredient in making nitric acid and sulfuric acid from which chlorine was produced.
Chlorine transformed the textile industry as it is a strong oxidiser and bleaching agent, so textiles could be then bleached in a matter of hours in factories, regardless of the weather.
Copperas was also used as a dye fixative for woolens, as a tanning agent for leather, and in the manufacture of printers ink
Fireclay:
A type of clay taken from coal mines which is able to withstand intense heat. Blocks of clay were baked in a kiln to form bricks for furnace linings, gas work retorts and glass furnaces etc where resistance to great heat was important.
Limestone:
Lime was extracted from limestone by heating in a kiln. There were limestone kilns in Priesthill and lime works near where the Darnley Mill (Ashoka restraunt) stands today.
Lime was used extensively in agriculture where it was spread onto ploughed fields and mixed in with the soil to neutralize acid soils, so that better crops could be grown.
Lime was also used in the steel industry where coal was first heated and converted to coke. The coke was combined with iron ore and limestone and heated to a very high temperature to produce iron.
In that process, impurities such as silicon, phosphorus, manganeze, and sulfur combined with the limestone to form a slag.
Sandstone:
A sedimentary rock made of consolidated masses of sand deposited over a very long period of time.
The chemical composition of sandstone is the same as that of sand; that is, the rock is composed essentially of quartz. The material that binds together the grains of sand is usually composed of silica, calcium carbonate, or iron oxide. The color of the sandstone is often determined largely by the binding material, iron oxides causing a red or reddish-brown sandstone, and the other materials producing white, yellowish, or grayish sandstone.
Sandstone was used in building construction, and there are many fine buildings still in existence in Glasgow and elsewhere which are made of sandstone.
The Church That Moved
The Titwood established church built in 1895, was dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt in Meiklerig Crescent Pollok, and renamed St James (Pollok) Parish Church .
A total of £65,000 was spent over five years on this monumental task. A lot of planning was involved in the undertaking of the taking down and rebuilding of the hall and church. Photographs were taken of all the windows and openings, and enlargements made with the main stones being marked and numbered. In November 1948 the Church hall was taken down and rebuilt within two years .
The plans for the rebuilding of the hall and Church were drawn up by Glasgow architects, Thomson, McCrea and Saunders. After all the Church furniture, pews etc., had been removed, work began on the "taking down" of the building proper. Only twenty stonemasons, and skilled craftsmen were employed during this operation. The walls are three feet thick in some places. Great care was taken in the handling of the stones, and they were in fact sealed with lime mortar to prevent any damage while they were being removed. Only one lorry was used in the removal of the stones, estimated at several thousand tons, the lorry would make up to three journeys each day! So after three years the Church and hall were finally reunited.
On Thursday the 3rd of September 1953 , the "new " Church and hall was opened.
The ceremony was carried out by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Right Rev. Professor J Pitt Watson.
Previous to the arrival of St James, services were held in the Primary School in Langton Road by Rev. James Clarence Finlayson, and so it was fitting that he would be the first Minister in St James.
A total of £65,000 was spent over five years on this monumental task. A lot of planning was involved in the undertaking of the taking down and rebuilding of the hall and church. Photographs were taken of all the windows and openings, and enlargements made with the main stones being marked and numbered. In November 1948 the Church hall was taken down and rebuilt within two years .
The plans for the rebuilding of the hall and Church were drawn up by Glasgow architects, Thomson, McCrea and Saunders. After all the Church furniture, pews etc., had been removed, work began on the "taking down" of the building proper. Only twenty stonemasons, and skilled craftsmen were employed during this operation. The walls are three feet thick in some places. Great care was taken in the handling of the stones, and they were in fact sealed with lime mortar to prevent any damage while they were being removed. Only one lorry was used in the removal of the stones, estimated at several thousand tons, the lorry would make up to three journeys each day! So after three years the Church and hall were finally reunited.
On Thursday the 3rd of September 1953 , the "new " Church and hall was opened.
The ceremony was carried out by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Right Rev. Professor J Pitt Watson.
Previous to the arrival of St James, services were held in the Primary School in Langton Road by Rev. James Clarence Finlayson, and so it was fitting that he would be the first Minister in St James.
Hawkhead Asylum
On 23rd January 1896 Hawkhead Asylum, now known as Leverndale Hospital was formally opened.
A memorial stone was laid by Duncan Monroe esq, Chairman of Govan Combination Parochial Board on the 3rd October 1893. It is presently situated at the base of the tower.
By 1937, the resident population was over 1,000 and at this time the Asylum ran on a self sufficient basis. It had its own farm, bakery, laundry and even Fire Brigade. Suitable patients
worked within the Asylum.
After World war II a more enlightened attitude to mental ilness led to the present legislation and a progressive development of facilities to enable treatment to be provided whenever possible without the need for formal care in the Asylum.
For its first 100 years the Asylum provided excellent care for those referred to its services.
Laterly after it had outgrown its use, the buildings deteriorated and lay idle for a number of years until a major housing developer restored the buildings and transformed them into flats.
The distinctive tower was also restored and is still a distinctive landmark in the area.
A memorial stone was laid by Duncan Monroe esq, Chairman of Govan Combination Parochial Board on the 3rd October 1893. It is presently situated at the base of the tower.
By 1937, the resident population was over 1,000 and at this time the Asylum ran on a self sufficient basis. It had its own farm, bakery, laundry and even Fire Brigade. Suitable patients
worked within the Asylum.
After World war II a more enlightened attitude to mental ilness led to the present legislation and a progressive development of facilities to enable treatment to be provided whenever possible without the need for formal care in the Asylum.
For its first 100 years the Asylum provided excellent care for those referred to its services.
Laterly after it had outgrown its use, the buildings deteriorated and lay idle for a number of years until a major housing developer restored the buildings and transformed them into flats.
The distinctive tower was also restored and is still a distinctive landmark in the area.
Ross Hall
Ross Hall Estate was part of the larger Hawkhead Estate.
There was a Royal Charter dated 30th March 1390 where the lands of Hawkhead were conferred upon Sir John Ross for an Annual payment of a pair of gloves, or two pennies of silver.
Throughout the years the descendents of Sir John Ross occupied the lands until a son James fifth earl of Glasgow and Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire held the estate until his death in 1869 and was succeeded by his brother George Frederick Ross.
In 1886 the Hawkhead Estate was sold in lots.
In the late 1700's the Ross Hall Estate was acquired by Peter Murdoch, a Glasgow merchant who laid out the grounds.
In the 1870's Ross Hall estate was purchased by James Cowan, a Barrhead business man, and in 1877 he built the present Ross Hall House and occupied it until his death in 1907.
The next owner was Frederick Lobnitz who owned a Shipbuilding firm based on the Clyde at Renfrew which built a variety of vessels including dredgers and hoppers and during the two world wars, escort vessels, minesweepers, tugs and other naval vessels.
1n 1948 the estate was acquired by Glasgow Corporation and the house became a Hotel and Catering School.
In 1982 the House was purchased for use as a Private Hospital.
Ross Hall Estate was part of the larger Hawkhead Estate.
There was a Royal Charter dated 30th March 1390 where the lands of Hawkhead were conferred upon Sir John Ross for an Annual payment of a pair of gloves, or two pennies of silver.
Throughout the years the descendents of Sir John Ross occupied the lands until a son James fifth earl of Glasgow and Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire held the estate until his death in 1869 and was succeeded by his brother George Frederick Ross.
In 1886 the Hawkhead Estate was sold in lots.
In the late 1700's the Ross Hall Estate was acquired by Peter Murdoch, a Glasgow merchant who laid out the grounds.
In the 1870's Ross Hall estate was purchased by James Cowan, a Barrhead business man, and in 1877 he built the present Ross Hall House and occupied it until his death in 1907.
The next owner was Frederick Lobnitz who owned a Shipbuilding firm based on the Clyde at Renfrew which built a variety of vessels including dredgers and hoppers and during the two world wars, escort vessels, minesweepers, tugs and other naval vessels.
1n 1948 the estate was acquired by Glasgow Corporation and the house became a Hotel and Catering School.
In 1982 the House was purchased for use as a Private Hospital.
Stained Glass windows within the house
There was a Royal Charter dated 30th March 1390 where the lands of Hawkhead were conferred upon Sir John Ross for an Annual payment of a pair of gloves, or two pennies of silver.
Throughout the years the descendents of Sir John Ross occupied the lands until a son James fifth earl of Glasgow and Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire held the estate until his death in 1869 and was succeeded by his brother George Frederick Ross.
In 1886 the Hawkhead Estate was sold in lots.
In the late 1700's the Ross Hall Estate was acquired by Peter Murdoch, a Glasgow merchant who laid out the grounds.
In the 1870's Ross Hall estate was purchased by James Cowan, a Barrhead business man, and in 1877 he built the present Ross Hall House and occupied it until his death in 1907.
The next owner was Frederick Lobnitz who owned a Shipbuilding firm based on the Clyde at Renfrew which built a variety of vessels including dredgers and hoppers and during the two world wars, escort vessels, minesweepers, tugs and other naval vessels.
1n 1948 the estate was acquired by Glasgow Corporation and the house became a Hotel and Catering School.
In 1982 the House was purchased for use as a Private Hospital.
Ross Hall Estate was part of the larger Hawkhead Estate.
There was a Royal Charter dated 30th March 1390 where the lands of Hawkhead were conferred upon Sir John Ross for an Annual payment of a pair of gloves, or two pennies of silver.
Throughout the years the descendents of Sir John Ross occupied the lands until a son James fifth earl of Glasgow and Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire held the estate until his death in 1869 and was succeeded by his brother George Frederick Ross.
In 1886 the Hawkhead Estate was sold in lots.
In the late 1700's the Ross Hall Estate was acquired by Peter Murdoch, a Glasgow merchant who laid out the grounds.
In the 1870's Ross Hall estate was purchased by James Cowan, a Barrhead business man, and in 1877 he built the present Ross Hall House and occupied it until his death in 1907.
The next owner was Frederick Lobnitz who owned a Shipbuilding firm based on the Clyde at Renfrew which built a variety of vessels including dredgers and hoppers and during the two world wars, escort vessels, minesweepers, tugs and other naval vessels.
1n 1948 the estate was acquired by Glasgow Corporation and the house became a Hotel and Catering School.
In 1982 the House was purchased for use as a Private Hospital.
Stained Glass windows within the house
Cowglen Hospital
Cowglen hospital was in existence from 1882 to 2001 when it was demolished. It was located behind what is now the National Savings Bank on Barrhead Road.
It began as a fever hospital, then became a military hospital and finally a geriatric hospital.
It is perhaps best known for it’s wartime use during WW II and the American army medical core were stationed there.
It treated soldiers of many nationalities, including American, French, Italian and British.
It began as a fever hospital, then became a military hospital and finally a geriatric hospital.
It is perhaps best known for it’s wartime use during WW II and the American army medical core were stationed there.
It treated soldiers of many nationalities, including American, French, Italian and British.
The Damshot cottages which stood well back from the Barrhead Rd were accessed by a narrow lane. The cottages were originally built to house workers of the adjoining Pollok Estate
Crookston Toll with the Castle in the background
The medievil stone Crookston castle which stands today was built by the Stewarts, and dates from the 15th century. It is second in age only to Glasgow Cathedral as the oldest structure in the city. The castle is best known for its connection to Mary Queen of Scots, as it was once part of the estates of her husband Lord Darnley.
Crookston farm 1938 opposite Crookston homes
The Hurlet junction 1905. Some of the houses on the left are still there today. In the 1950's there was a garage and petrol station where the field is in the background
Hurlet shop at the junction of Hurlet Rd and Barrhead Rd
The corn mill existeed in Cardonald since 1789. The products of the mill were transported by the Glasgow to Paisley canal (the present railway line follows the route of the canal which was later filled in) Themill was still in use until 1958, but was then demolished along with the cottages.Moulin Circus and the houses in Lade Terrace now occupy the site
he old Darnely farm and mill had many owners, among them well known families including the Stewarts and the Maxwells. As well as being a corn mill, it was also a lime and fireclay works. It is now the Ashoka restaurant. Note the cows in what is now the car park
Househill House, once one of the oldest dwellings on the banks of the Levern water dating back from the early 1700,s. During its lifetime it had many occupants. One of whome was Kate Cranston of the 'Tea Room' fame. Charles Rennie Mackintosh was also associated with the house, he being her foremost designer. In 1934 the house was destroyed by fire and was demolished.
Known locally as the Ivy Castle, the building was in fact a remnant of Cowglen's history. It was a pump house needed to draw water from the mines in the Cowglen area
Nitshill and Levern church was once situated in the village of Waterside on the Barrhead Rd between Barrhead and the Hurlet. The Waterside name is carried on by the Pub (once Jean Gebbie's) The church and hall were demolished a few years ago and the site was a caravan park for a while. Today the site is vacant
Priesthill and Pollok early 1960's. Bellarmine school top right
Smiths farm Barrhead Rd
On the Barrhead Rd there was a thriving agricultural farm - 'Smiths Farm' - all that remains now are the ruins of the house and outbuildings
The Tradewinds pub was one of the many on Nitshill Rd. There were in fact seven pubs but now there is only one, the Nia-Roo ( oor ain)
A good view of Wardhill farm could be had from the top deck of the No 4 tram as it travelled along Parkhouse Rd on its way to Barrhead. Wardhill was a dairy farm one of many such farms in the area
Hawkhead Asylum
Hawkhead Asylum and Tower
Hawkhead Asylum and Tower