Industry
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Baldernock 18th century nails
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1700
Part of a process of dating and archaeologically exploring architecture, the nails form part of Paul Bishop's investigations into processes of construction as a means of dating and understanding change.
Location of Origin: Baldernock
Location Now: Baldernock
Date: 1700
Materials: iron
Locations:
John Henderson volumes
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1821-1830
This mystery donation was sent to Bishopbriggs Library in November 2013, and has since been added to the Archive collections. It arrived in the mail one morning, sent by second class post in an ordinary brown envelope. Luckily what was inside survived it's journey through the post, as the envelope revealed two volumes dating from the early 1800s. The first volume, dating from 1821-1825, appears to be a record of joinery work carried out at various places in 'Bishops Bridge' including Huntershill House, Cadder and Kenmure as well as surrounding areas such as Campsie Kirk. The work ranges from producing gates and doors to coffins and beehives. There is a record of individual men's work, together with a date, description of the work and the number of days taken to complete the job. There is also a second smaller volume with 'Mr John Henderson Bishop Bridge in account with James Martin & Sons' written on the front cover. This volume lists supplies purchased such as nails, screws, saws and hinges, and dates from 1827-1830. If you are the mystery donor, or if you have any more information on John Henderson of Bishops Bridge, please do get in touch.
Maker/Manufacturer: John Henderson, builder and wright, Bishopbriggs
Location of Origin: Bishopbriggs
Location Now: East Dunbartonshire Archives, William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch G66 1AD
Date: 1821-1830
Materials: 20 x 24.5 cm, and 10 x 15.5 cm
Archive Reference Number: Acc2013/19
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Apprenticeship indenture
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1824/5
This is an official document recording the apprenticeship of Joseph Gibb of Bardowie in Baldernock Parish to James Millar, a weaver in "Brenzet Burn" or Branziet Burn, Baldernock. Joseph Gibb has signed on to a 3 year apprenticeship with James Millar to learn the "art of weaving" from him.
Location of Origin: Baldernock
Location Now: East Dunbartonshire Archives, William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch G66 1AD
Date: 1824/5
Size/Dimensions: 32 x 42 cm
Materials: Paper
Accession Number: Acc 2014/25
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Waggon train
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1828
This print shows a Clydesdale horse called Dragon pulling a train of waggons loaded with 50 tons of coal along the newly opened Monkland & Kirkintilloch Railway. The Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway opened in 1826, and was built to carry coal from collieries in Monklands to the Forth & Clyde Canal at Kirkintilloch for onward shipment. It was only the second public railway in Scotland, and the first with rails strong enough to support steam locomotives.
Maker/Manufacturer: T Paterson, Trongate, Glasgow
Location of Origin: Kirkintilloch
Location Now: East Dunbartonshire Archives, William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch G66 1AD
Date: 1828
Size/Dimensions: 41 x 26 cm
Archive Reference Number: T25/20/147
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Kirkintilloch Gas Light Company agreement
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1838
Kirkintilloch Gas Light Company, certificate of co-partnership. This document is the longest item in East Dunbartonshire Archives, measuring an incredible 11.5 metres.. The Kirkintilloch Gas Light Company was formed in 1838 following delays in forming a municipal gas works by the town Commissioners. They erected their premises at Canal Street, and charged the town 3d per £ rental for supplies of gas to the lamp-lights. The town had to supply 50 of its own lamps, as well as a lamplighter, James Goodwin, the Superintendent of Police. The Burghs Gas Supply (Scotland) Act of 1876 allowed the Town Council to take over the company, and they took out a £15,000 loan in order to do so in 1876. It was reported in 1895 that the takeover had proved so successful that no increase in rates had been required to cover repayment of the loan. A new type of gas-meter, the 'penny in the slot' (which produced a certain amount of gas upon insertion of a coin) was introduced in 1898, and the town council tried to persuade people to convert to this new meter, fixing gas at the price of 2/8d per 1000ft2, with a reduction for those who used the new meters. Due to an increase in demand, further expansion was required, necessitating the construction of new premises in 1908, at a cost of £30,000. The local administration came to an end following the Gas Act of 1948, when gas supply was nationalised, and British Gas took over.
Maker/Manufacturer: Kirkintilloch Gas Light Company
Location of Origin: Kirkintilloch
Location Now: East Dunbartonshire Archives, William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch G66 1AD
Date: 1838
Size/Dimensions: 11.5 metres
Archive Reference Number: BK/12
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Twechar Quarry plan
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c 1870-1890
Plan of a whinstone quarry at Twechar from the Gartshore Estate Papers (GD101). Whinstone is a term used for any kind of hard dark coloured stone. The stone was often used in the construction of roads or walls. The quarry site is now disused and lies behind the old Barrhill Tavern buildings.
Harvesting at Bankell
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c 1890s
This glass slide shows a harvest scene at Bankell Farm, Baldernock, on the outskirts of Milngavie. Bankell is described in the historical Ordnance Survey Name books 1858-1861 as "A good Farm Steading belonging to the Estate of Dougalston, the property of J. Gordon Glassford.â€
Location of Origin: Baldernock
Location Now: East Dunbartonshire Archives, William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch G66 1AD
Date: c 1890s
Size/Dimensions: 8 x 8 cm
Materials: Glass
Archive Reference Number: Acc 2015/23
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Lappet head-dress
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c 1890
Cotton muslin with floral embroidery and net.
The hand-loom weaving industry survived longer in Kirkintilloch than anywhere else in Scotland, as local weavers developed expertise in creating fine muslins with raised floral patterns which remained in high demand into the later nineteenth century.
Many of Kirkintilloch’s weavers specialised in making ‘lappet’, a cotton cloth with a raised floral pattern.
Kirkintilloch’s motto, “Ca’ canny but ca’ awaâ€, translates from Scots as, “Carry on carefully, but keep carrying on†and is thought to derive from a saying of local weavers when teaching their technique to loom apprentices. In 1975 “Progress with vigilance†was adopted as the motto of Strathkelvin District Council.
Location Now: Auld Kirk museum
Date: c 1890
Accession Number: KITAK: 1992.21.9
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Torrance Station
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c 1900
Torrance Station lay on the Kelvin Valley Railway which was opened in 1878. It became part of the North British Railway in 1885. The line carried both passengers and freight. It closed in 1966, and parts of the old line are now a walking trail. The route ran from Kilsyth, through Twechar, Torrance, Balmore, Bardowie, Summerston, and on to Maryhill.
Photograph of Lillyburn Calico Printworks
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c 1900-1920
Lillyburn was a calico printworks in Milton of Campsie. It was owned by Alexander Macnab and Co by the end of the 19th Century.
Location of Origin: Milton of Campsie
Location Now: East Dunbartonshire Archives, William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch G66 1AD
Date: c 1900-1920
Archive Reference Number: GD129/1
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Allander Ware (Jardinière)
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1905
The Allander Pottery was located on the banks of the Allander just off Main Street on the edge of the public park in Milngavie. It was established in 1904 by the Glasgow painter, Hugh (Ugolin) Allan. The pottery existed for only four years. All pieces are dated and marked on the base, ‘Allander’ with the initials ‘HA’. Allander Ware is characterised by distinctive glazes and the shapes are often based on traditional Oriental ceramics.
Macfarlane's Castings catalogue
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c 1910
This is the 7th Edition Volume 1 trade catalogue of Macfarlane & Co, also known as the Saracen Foundry. The business was founded by Walter Macfarlane (1817-1885) who was born in Torrance.
Counter Advertisment
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c 1910s
Laura Mary Ann Marion Smith (1865 – 1943), the sixth of eight children, was born in Lancashire. In 1880 Laura moved to Edinburgh to train as a nurse and became a staff nurse at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow in 1891. By 1897 she was sister in-charge of the ‘Out-Patient’ Clinic and Dispensary in Cowcaddens. She saw first-hand the effects of poor diet on children and in 1898 she developed a milk formula as a substitute for breast milk.
The treated cow’s milk had successful results and Sister Laura went on to market the formula, or baby food, for sale to the general public.
In 1911, along with Duncan MacGregor, a yarn merchant; Margaret Moore, a baker and confectioner (who manufactured the baby food at her bakery) and solicitor, William Christie Cowan, she created ‘Sister Laura’s Infant Food Company Limited’. In 1920 the company was sold to Edward and William Watson who incorporated it into ‘Sister Laura’s Infant and Invalid Food Company Limited’, based at Springfield Works in Bishopbriggs. “You will agree it is only natural that I feel a just pride in the success of Sister Laura’s Food, a success made doubly sure by the confidence and co-operation of members of the Medical and Nursing Professions.â€
Sister Laura was a respected nurse and entrepreneur who improved the care and wellbeing of thousands of Glasgow’s children, many of whom chanted her name in a ball game:
“Sister Laura walks like this, Pit a pat pat, pit a pat pat.â€
‘Sister Laura’s Infant and Invalid Food Company’ continued to trade until 1981.
Location of Origin: Bishopbriggs
Location Now: Auld Kirk Museum
Date: c 1910s
Materials: Card
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'A Launch at Kirkintilloch' postcard
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c 1910s
The Hay family were already operating their own fleet of canal boats when John and James Hay took over Crawford's boatyard at Townhead Bridge in 1867. Initially Hay’s used the yard to maintain and repair their own fleet, but they later began construction of their own vessels, becoming famous for their puffers. These canal and coastal trading vessels generally measured 66 x 18ft and were capable of carrying 100 tons of cargo. The early vessels were powered by non-condensing steam engines which made a puff-puff sound as the steam came up through the funnel, hence the name 'puffer'.
As the canal was quite narrow, puffers had to be launched sideways: a thrilling sight enjoyed by crowds of spectators. Hay's built over 60 puffers, the last being ‘Chindit’ in 1946. The boatyard was demolished in 1954, and Hay’s carried on as a boat operating company only. In 1963 they joined with Hamilton & McPhail to become Hay, Hamilton Ltd, which ultimately became Glenlight Shipping Ltd. The 1953 film The Maggie featured the Hay puffers 'Boer' and 'Inca'. While the 'Vital Spark' of Para Handy fame was actually 'Saxon', originally built as the 'Dane' by Hay’s in 1903.
Location of Origin: Forth & Clyde Canal at Townhead, Kirkintilloch
Location Now: Auld Kirk Museum
Date: c 1910s
Size/Dimensions: 14cm x 8.5cm
Accession Number: KITAK: 1995.22.3
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Miners' rows, Twechar
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1911
There is a long history of mining activity in the Twechar locality but it was not until the coming of William Baird and Co. to the area, about 1860, that a close-knit mining community was created. Pits were sunk at Twechar and Gartshore and a row of workers’ houses was built on the south bank of the canal, just east of Twechar Bridge. This soon proved inadequate and around 1880 the Barrhill Rows were constructed at right angles to Main Street, on its western side. At first there were four rows, supplemented by two more about 1900, by which date the total number of dwellings in the rows was 160. The row nearest the canal included a Gartsherrie Cooperative shop and accordingly was know as the ‘Store Row’. At first the houses had no sanitation and were lit by paraffin lamps. Communal wash houses were provided at intervals along each row. Most of the houses were of the two-apartment (room and kitchen) variety.
great improvement was made in 1925, when Baird and Co. (in response to considerable pressure from the miners themselves, over the years) provided good quality modern housing for their mine workers at Burnbrae, Annieston, Sunnyhill and adjacent streets. There were 200 dwellings in all, some two-apartment and some three-apartment, built in two-story blocks of four. They were provided with bathrooms and electric lighting. When these houses were built the old row on the south bank of the canal was demolished. The Barrhill Rows, however, lasted until 1957. The Baird houses of 1925 are still in use today. Later housing was provided by Dunbartonshire County Council at MacDonald Crescent (1939), Alexander Avenue (1948) and Kelvin View (about 1955).
Cadder Pit Disaster memento
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1913
The disastrous fire at Cadder No. 15 Pit which was owned by the Carron Coal Company, took place on the evening of Sunday 3rd August 1913.
There were 26 men below ground when the fire broke out, 22 of whom lost their lives. This memento of the tragedy lists the names of the victims, where they were from, and includes a poem to their memory.
Location of Origin: Cadder
Location Now: East Dunbartonshire Archives, William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch G66 1AD
Date: 1913
Size/Dimensions: 38 cm square
Archive Reference Number: Acc 2009/22
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‘Real Photo Postcard’ of No. 17 Pit, Cadder
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1913
The disastrous fire at Cadder No. 15 Pit which was owned by the Carron Coal Company, took place on the evening of Sunday 3rd August 1913. There were 26 men below ground when the fire broke out, 22 of whom lost their lives. 340 men were employed at No. 15 and 400 at No.17. The comparatively small number of miners involved in the disaster were members of a Sunday ‘back shift’ which went underground at 3.00pm for the purpose of carrying out routine tasks, including repairs and clearing up. Mainly coal was mined from No. 15 Pit while mainly ironstone was obtained from No. 17 Pit.
The writing along the foot of the postcard reads: “No. 17 Pit Cadder, near Bishopbriggs. Connected with No. 15 Pit by a communicating road through which the survivors & victims were brought to the surface.â€
Maker/Manufacturer: Published by Walter Benton & Co, Glasgow
Location of Origin: Cadder
Location Now: Auld Kirk Museum
Date: 1913
Size/Dimensions: 13.8cm X 8.7cm
Materials: Paper
Accession Number: AKM: 1981.51
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Campsie Glen Mauchline Ware Souvenir Box with transfer printed view of the Aldessan Burn.
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c 1920
In 1825 Campsie Glen was opened up by a local landowner, John McFarlan, for the enjoyment of rural workers and it became a popular beauty spot throughout the 19th century with thousands of visitors enjoying its attractions every year.
Mauchline ware was a 19th century tourist souvenir, usually made from sycamore.
A vast range of mauchline items was produced during its hundred years of manufacture. Taking its name from the Ayrshire town, Mauchline ware was produced primarily by William and Andrew Smith from the 1850s, but there were other manufacturers as well.
In addition to nearly every town and village in Scotland being illustrated, Robert Burns, Walter Scott, beauty spots, country houses, churches and castles were also popular subjects.
Products included boxes of all shapes and sizes and uses, napkin rings, quaiches, photograph frames, matchbox holders, spill vases, rulers, tea caddies, cigar cases, containers for needlework items, pin cushions, bookmarks, letter openers, glove stretchers, posy holders, egg cups, spectacle cases, fans and many more.
Not only was Mauchline ware sold throughout Britain, but quantities were exported to many parts of Europe, especially France; the British Empire – South Africa, Australia, Canada; and the USA.
Location Now: Auld Kirk Museum
Date: c 1920
Size/Dimensions: 8.2cm X 4.7cm X 7.0 cm
Materials: Wood
Accession Number: KITAK: 2012.3
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George Bennie Medelet
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1930
Uniface, gilt-bronze medelet, showing a monorail train above a steam locomotive. Lettering around depiction reads: “The George Bennie Railplane Opening June1930â€
George Bennie was born in Auldhouse, Glasgow, in 1892, the son of an engineer. The Bennie ‘Railplane’, which was essentially a monorail, would be built above existing railway systems as a passenger-only service, separated from the slower, heavy freight trains below.
During 1929-30 a test track of 426 yards was built at Burnbrae, near Milngavie, above the existing L.N.E.R. line. Although the car was capable of travelling 120mph, the length of the test track only allowed for a top speed of 50mph.
The official launch was a resounding success and adults and children could experience the short journey for a shilling and sixpence respectively.
Proposals for an Edinburgh-Glasgow line were suggested, however, George Bennie was unable to secure financial support for further development of the system.
He had invested large amounts of his own money in the construction of the test track and was eventually declared bankrupt in 1937. He died in obscurity in 1957. The track stood until 1956 when it was sold for scrap.
Wooden Dog Head Pattern
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c 1930 – 1950
This wooden dog head pattern represents the cast iron industry of Kirkintilloch.
Cast iron had a huge impact when it first came into use on a large scale. Unlike wrought iron, by making a pattern in a material such as wood one can recreate as many copies of a shape as desired. For mass manufacture and production of large quantities of detailed work at reasonable cost this process was unbeatable.
Cast iron has great resistance to corrosion and heat and is extremely strong in compression. However, it is prone to cracking and an expensive method for producing a ‘one off’.
At Kirkintilloch the canal and railways meant that iron could be easily conveyed to its markets. This, along with the many local coal mines providing fuel, made Kirkintilloch an ideal centre for the iron founding industry. Iron work made in Kirkintilloch was exported all over the world.
Iron founding began in Kirkintilloch during the 1830s, when Archibald Gilchrist established the ‘Kirkintilloch Foundry’ just south of the Canal Aqueduct over the River Luggie (also known as the ‘Luggiebank Foundry’ and the ‘Old Foundry’). In the early years Gilchrist found a niche market in railway castings to service the embryonic but fast developing railway industry. Later the foundry specialised in heavy engineering castings, but it ceased to function during the 1890s, when the building was taken over by F. McNeill a Co. for the manufacture of roofing felt.
In 1861 a second foundry was established in Kirkintilloch when Alexander Smith opened the ‘Star Foundry’ in Southbank Road. In 1867 it was purchased by the locally well-known firm of Cameron and Roberton who renamed it ‘South Bank Iron Works’, although it remained the ‘Star Foundry’ in local parlance for the rest of its life - which lasted until 1981. For most of its 120 years it was best known for the manufacture of commodities in the category of ‘Rainwater Goods’ - drains, gutters, pipes and pipe fittings.
The Lion Foundry, just across the Canal from the old Kirkintilloch Foundry, was established in 1880. The site of the new foundry was well chosen, right beside the North British Railway and the Forth and Clyde Canal. This proximity to the two main arteries of communication meant that raw materials could conveniently be delivered, and the finished products distributed economically. The best known products to come out of the foundry were red telephone kiosks and post boxes. The foundry was also noted for its highly decorative architectural ironwork such as railings, fountains and bandstands. The Lion Foundry survived for over a hundred years and was the last of the town's iron foundries to keep working, but when British Telecom stopped ordering red telephone kiosks in 1984 it closed down.
A fourth iron foundry in Kirkintilloch was the Basin or Etna Foundry, at the canal basin in Southbank Road, which opened in 1872. It specialised in kitchen ranges, grates and heating stoves, which were fitted into houses throughout Scotland, England and Ireland. Like ‘The Star’ and ‘The Lion’ it was established on the canal bank at a location where rail access was also immediately available. Typically, raw materials would be brought in by canal boat and finished products taken away by rail.
Maker/Manufacturer: Lion Foundry
Location of Origin: Kirkintilloch
Location Now: Auld Kirk Museum
Date: c 1930 – 1950
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