Edit Maryhill's past
The neighbours of Carrickarden Street around 1938. Mrs Hunter, (?), Mrs Elrick (my mother), Mrs Clarke and Mrs Queen at the front. From Doris Sofio
Several sub-districts belong to the Maryhill district, such as Acre, Dawsholm Park, Firhill, Gairbraid, Gilshochill, Maryhill Park, North Kelvinside, Queens Cross, St Georges cross, Summerston, woodside and Wyndford.
Hew Hill, the Laird (Lord) of Gairbraid, had no male heir and so he left his estate to his daughter, Mary. She married Robert Graham of Dawsholm in 1763, but they had no income from trade or commerce and had to make what they could from the estate.
They founded coalmines on the estate but they proved to be wet and unprofitable, and their property ventures are best known for an acre of ground they did not sell. It is still known as Acre today.
No doubt they would have continued with the struggle, but on the 8 March 1768 Parliament approved the cutting of the Forth and Clyde Canal through their estate, which provided some much-needed money.
The canal reached the estate in 1775, but the Canal Company had run out of money and work stopped for eight years.
The Government granted funds from forfeited Jacobite estates to start it again and the crossing of the River Kelvin became the focus for massive construction activity.
A village began to grow up and the Grahams fed more land for its development; Robert Graham attached one condition that was to immortalise the heiress of Gairbraid, his beloved wife and the last in line of centuries of Hills of Gairbraid after the death of her father Hew Hill. The then village was to be "in all times called the town of MaryHill".
The new canal waterway attracted boat-building, saw-milling and other industries such as ironfounding to its banks within Mary's estate.
By 1830 the scattered houses had grown to form a large village with a population of 3000 people.
The building of the Glasgow to Helensburgh railway passing through Maryhill, and the proximity of the Loch Katrine pipeline, led to further growth and in 1856 Maryhill became a burgh in its own right ('burgh' is an old word for town in Scotland). It was later absorbed into the city of Glasgow in 1891.
A part of the Antonine Wall runs through Maryhill, in the Maryhill park area, where there is the site of a Roman fort adjoining the wall in nearby Bearsden.
Maryhill boasts one of Glasgow's original Carnegie libraries, deftly designed by the Inverness architect James Robert Rhind.
Maryhill Barracks was opened in 1872 and once dominated the area which is now the Wyndford housing estate, it was home to the Scots Greys and the Highland Light Infantry, and famously held Adolf Hitler's second-in-command Rudolf Hess during World War II after his supposed "Peace" flight to the UK. (See our separate story and picture)
Maryhill was known as the Venice of the North for its canals and also for being the centre of the glass industry, with its Caledonia Works and Glasgow Works. Burgh Hall contains numerous stained glass windows produced by Stephen Adam depicting the industrious inhabitants of Maryhill.
It is home to Firhill Stadium, home of Partick Thistle since 1909, and since 2005, the professional Rugby Union team, Glasgow Warriors. The junior team, Maryhill F.C. and Glasgow's oldest athletic club (Maryhill Harriers) are also located there.
This photo is of my father Eric Elrick who lived in Rochester Street. This photo was taken around 1920. From Doris Sofio
I see Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Maryhill connection has been excluded. I think the importance of Queens Cross Curch and Ruchill Tearoom are both worth a mention.
My late father was a "Jags" supporter through and through. He went to every Thistle Home match. In those days the supporters dressed well - Dad had a Scarf.and even a handkerchief tucked into his suit top pocket. No jeans and trainers in those days He also got the "little red book" although I cant remember much about that. I am speaking from around late 1940 onwards. I kept the scarf and handkerchief for many years until passing them to a friend who had several other items in his collection.
We lived in Carrickarden Street (now long gone) I have a great photo of all the neighbours who in those days were all friends and helped each other. I remember all the names but unfortunately the photographs are old and therefore I could not put them on computer. Would be interesting if they could revive any memories for others. I could go one for ages about Maryhill - Mr Melon the fruiterer - Mr Ross the newsagent - Mr Bews the Watchmaker and Jeweller all had shops in Raeberry Street - My mother had her "messages" delivered from the Grocer, I think it was Dow's, also in Raeberry Streret. - and that was not yesterday!!!!
If you would like to send them to me (Helen Smith) at the Evening Times, 200 Renfield Street, I'll see what I can do.
hi i grow up on maryhill road used to spend a lot of time in the swiming baths it was good ive got alot of memories we stay in layden street the games we all play its some change
I was born in Hinshaw Street Maryhill in 1937 and remember it well. We lived facing the Primary School and I had the job of folding the newspapers for O'Hagen newsagents and ran messages for the butcher Blackadder and did up grocery baskets for delivery for Liptons the grocer all on the Maryhill Rd between Hinshaw St and Seamore Street .Picture House was the Blythswood and also the Seamore,I think your entry has brought back my childhood. I am now In Western Australia but will always be a Scot from Maryhill.
Does anyone have information about the church at the junction of Maryhill Road and Duart Street.
It has been lying derelict for some time now and despite asking about Im still trying to find out why nothing has been done with it.
And to Serena, I too was brought up in Hinshaw Street in 1952, I remember Blackadders(Ross) and the pictures too.
Co-incidentally Im hoping to move to Fremantle WA where my daughter is a teacher.
Alex
Alex O'brien Serena says that when you get to Fremantle take a trip To Busselton down south of Perth Wa and she will be glad to meet up with you. My daughter also teaches in WA.You can always email me on:-serena@tadaust.org.au
Can anyone help me get old pics of Glasgow? I am soon to be opening a cafe and would like old fotos to create atmosphere... any help would be much apreciated..Thanks Garry
I have given a couple of old photos to the newspaper for eventual publication. Why not try the Maryhill Central Hall I am sure they would be only too willing to help, also the Mitchell library.
I am disappointed that Maryill folk are so reluctant to contribute to this page. Come on Maryhill, give us your news from the past and I am sure it will jog memories
garrymcsporran you can get pics from the Glasgow story site on the internet. They allow you to collect in an album if a member hope it helps. I sourced alot of old Glasgow for my home.
I have seen many photos of the old Maryhill where they show every part of it except 1, which was very lively right up to the late 1950's. I talk of Garscube Road (The Gaspipe). Neither the Maryhill or Mitchell library have photos of the Gaspipe, from Queens Cross to beside the old Firhill Bar. This road had every kind of shop you could imagine, even had a blacksmiths next to the old Firhill Bar. The bar was eventually knock down around 1992. As as kid, I had great times playing there. I lived straight across from "Springbank Primary School" It would be nice to know if anyone knew where to get old photos of this well known road.
Garry McSporran, the Virtual Mitchell site is a great source of Glasgow history and you can narrow your search to areas, streets and even certain subjects.
Michael Hastie I also lived right accros from the primary school in Hinshaw St,No 63 neighbours I remember were the Hendersons the Barclays the Gardners the Flynns I am impressed how things haVE changed .for the better to.
yes
Ive put on a few pics which I hope some of the readers will enjoy.Anyone remember the Tannery?
I read Michael Hasties article with interest as I was brought up here as well.My dad worked in the Firhill Tavern during the 60s.I am really interested to find out where the blacksmiths was.Perhaps Michael could let us know.Thanks
When I liveed in Carrickarden Street. I remember the local shops in Raeberry Street Mr Bews - watchmaker, Mr Melon - fruit and veg , Dow's - licensed grocer - Stewart T.V. I have forgotten the name of the Newsagent anyone remember?
An old family friend,Miss Danks, ran the small dairy in Raeberry Street just round from Maryhill Road in the 60s having been moved from her previous dairy in Hopehill Road.
I am sure some of the readers must remember The Doctors Surgery at the bottom of Hopehill Road . We lived in Keppochhill Road but went to the Doctor in Maryhill. There were 3 Doctors, Dr.Robertson she was the lady doctor and there were 2 male doctors. Dr. Murray and Dr. Burns. The Surgery was always packed you could not make appointments in those days you just went in and told the lady at the desk who you were there to see and just sat and waited your turn. I always remember the smell of some kind of spirits in there I suppose it was some kind of disinfectant. They were very caring Doctors and had to take care of a lot of people with all kinds of ailments. When we got out of the Doctors we would usually go up to one of my aunties for a cup of tea, One of them lived in Abington St next the little dairy and the other one lived in the first close in Henderson St accross from Hoyes. Before I came to the United States in March of 1960 I worked in North Woodside Road in the Office of R.S.McColls, Can still smell the Chocolate When I worked there they let you eat as much as you wanted because i guess they firured you would get of sick of it after a while. I always remember St. Columbus Catholic Church in Hopehill Road I always thought it was so beautifull inside with the beautiful Gothic Arches inside. Well I had better stop now. Isabel Powell Soperton Georgia U.S.A
Due to the fact that the hearing re the factory disaster will soon take place,while at "Gael" shop I decided to visit the memorial garden for the poor souls who died. I was distressed to see the state of the surrounding area. The site of the factory was disgusting littered with rubbish. the memorial garden could have been much better I actually tidied up the place a bit as some of the plants etc were on their side. The path leading to the garden and surrounding area is a disgrace surely this could have been presented better. I think the owners of the site should have this landscaped and cleared immediately. I would suggest that the local Councillor and MSP should insist that this should be done Immediately. During the enquiry, I am sure that many people will visit the site, and will be extremely disappointed as I was. The condition is an insult to those who lost their lives.
I grew up in Maryhill, the canal was part of our lives. We crossed it to go to the baths, we fished for minnies in it, we swam in it, we helped push the massive timber arms that controlled the opening and closing of the locks, as the barges came through, we fed grass to the tow path horses, watched the graceful swans in it, some of us poor sods even drowned in it. l was privileged to be a member of the great Maryhill Library, first in the junior section upstairs and later, oh so proud to get access into the downstairs adult section. The River Kelvin and Lady Campbell's estate on its banks were our wonderland. After we scaled the stane dykes, there we found and ate water hens eggs, searched for chestnuts, picked armfuls of bluebells to bring home to ma, climbed the cliffs of Bellgraig. Being from Maryhill, we did picnics in Mulgay, wandered through our park, played football at Dawshome, watched the Harps, yet they say I had an underprivileged childhood? Compared to today's kids oh, Balderdash! Gerry McGrade, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia