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You are here: Home / Archives for Address M / Main Street Gorbals

Main Street Gorbals

Benny’s Bar

May 3, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

 

62 Main Street, Gorbals, Glasgow. also known as 62 Gorbals Street.

Benny's Bar 62 Gorbals Street

Benny’s Bar. 1960s.

Benny’s Bar was named after landlord Bernard McEneny who took over the pub in October 1958. Mr McEneny witnessed the dreadful destruction of the Gorbals from the 1950s until his own pub was demolished in the early 1970s.

There has been a pub on this site since 1893 when William Donald occupied the premises as a wine and spirit merchant. Four years later the licence was transfered to Alexander Young. Alexander was living with his wife and family at 14 Randolph Gardens, Partick. He also owned a small pub at 8 Springfield Terrace at Springfield Quay called the Atlantic Bar. When he passed away in 1901 his wife Christina took over the licence. She gave the business up a few years later.

In 1905 this pub was well known as the Gorbals Bar.

The next licensee Mr Charles Lynch had the pub for a couple of years before William Keith took over in 1913 just before the First World War. William Keith was already an established publican as he held a certificate for another pub nearby at 62-64 Thistle Street, Gorbals, the Horn Bar. Mr Keith was very successful in the pub trade. Like many pubs in the city of Glasgow the locals called this pub after the owner even if the pub had a different name above the door. “Keith’s Bar.”

In 1947 James McConnell was serving the locals here, he lived at 228 Cathcart Road in Rutherglen. After him was a gentleman called H Sweeney, he sold up in 1958 to Bernard McEneny.

Filed Under: B, Main Street Gorbals, MainStreetGorbals Tagged With: Benny's Bar, Gorbals, Main Street

The Struan Bar

March 22, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

 

Main Street, Gorbals, Glasgow.

 

The Struan Bar sat at the corner of Main Street and Adelphi Street, Gorbals in the south side of Glasgow. In 1890 the pub was taken over by Messrs. McIndeor and Robertson, they had left no stone unturned and revamped the premises, the old fashioned counters were removed and a new modern Horse Shoe bar put in it’s place. Two large sitting rooms were built with simple table and chairs, electricity was also installed and a new heating apparatus that turned out hot snacks or a glass of hot toddy.

A new McGlashan’s beer raising machine was put in the cellar. “Donald Blend” of old Scotch whisky was popular here at 10d a gill.

Filed Under: Main Street Gorbals, MainStreetGorbals, S Tagged With: The Struan Bar

Old Gorbals Wine & Spirit Vaults

March 15, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

 

85-105 Main Street, Gorbals.

Old Gorbals Wine & Spirit Vaults

Old Gorbals Wine & Spirit Vaults. c 1870s.

The Old Gorbals Wine & Spirit Vaults was once part of the chapel which formed part of the 17th century mansion house of Sir George Elphinstone of Blythswood. The building was demolished under the City Council Improvement Trust around 1870s.

Elphinstone2

This venerable pile, so long identified with the Barony of Gorbals, was erected between the years 1600 and 1608, by Sir George Elphinstone, the son of a merchant in Glasgow, who had acquired the lands on the south side of the river known as “St. Ninian’s Croft,” from Boyd, the Protestant Archbishop of the See. With the view of forming a suitable residence, Sir George enclosed part of the croft for an orchard and garden, and built thereon the erections which so long formed the most prominent objects on the east side of the Main Street of Gorbals.

Tradition informs us that he also erected a small Chapel adjoining, part of which still exists at the corner of Main Street and Rutherglen Loan. It was in this baronet’s favour that the village of “Gorbals” was erected into a Burgh of Barony and Regality. Although this gentleman enjoyed great distinction in his lifetime, and rose to the rank of Lord Justice Clerk in the reign of Charles I., he afterwards became reduced in circumstances, and died miserably and in poverty about 1634. According to McUre, he was privately interred “in his own chapel, adjoining to his house.” The property was then sold by the creditors of the deceased to Robert Douglas, Viscount Belhaven. This nobleman extended the mansion in Gorbals, and built a square Tower or “Fortulice,” which is now almost the only part of the venerable buildings existing. Until within a few years ago, the Tower in question exhibited four turrets, which of course gave an imposing appearance to the structure. On the building adjoining the Tower may still be seen the family arms of Viscount Belhaven, pretty well cut in stone, the whole surmounted by the letters S. G. E., which are apparently meant for the initials of Sir George Elphinstone. It is not at all improbable that this was not the original position of the arms referred to, but that at some period when alterations were made on the Tower, they had been removed from it, and placed so as to face the Main Street of the Barony.

The Viscount, at his death, was succeeded by his nephew, Sir Robert Douglas of Blackerston, who sold the Gorbals Mansion House and lands in cumulo, some time prior to 1661, to the town of Glasgow, the Trades’ House, and the Trustees for Hutcheson’s’ Hospital. They were retained as a sort of co-partnery possession till 1790, when a division was made, and the central portion, containing the old buildings, fell to the lot of the city. The most important event connected with the Baronial Hall structure is found in the fact that at one time it formed the residence of Sir James Turner, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Scotland in the reign of Charles II., and who is understood to be the personage who supplied Sir Walter Scott with the portrait of Dugald Dalgetty.

The terms on which Sir James obtained possession of the house are somewhat singular; for it appears by the minutes that on the 18th July, 1670, the Bailie’s and Council “ordains ane tack to be wrytten and subscryvit in favors of Sir James Turnor, of the toune’s houss and tour in Gorballs, quhilk he presentlie possesses, and that dureing his lifetyme, for payment yearlie of three punds Scots, if the samyne be requyred.” Sir James accordingly died in possession of the subjects; and from the records kept in the College, it would appear that at the sale of his effects, a part of his scanty library was purchased by the University of Glasgow. Amongst his books were several works upon the art of war; but the soldier of fortune had not overlooked productions of a more elevating and humanising kind, for Milton’s “Paradise Lost” and various kindred tomes are found in his catalogue. Who were the successors of Sir James Turner, in the “toune’s houss and tour,” we have no way of knowing. At all events, as the locality was never an attractive one for the Glasgow merchants, the occupants must have gradually descended in the scale of quality. Before the close of the last century, and for some time afterwards, the principal room in the Tower, which was of a spacious kind, was used as a place of meeting by the magistrates, heritors and feuars of the parish of Gorbals; and here also the inhabitants mustered previous to performing the dutes of watching and warding, in days when a police force did not exist. Latterly, part of the old building was fitted up as a police-office, with adjoining cells. But it lost all its importance, excepting such as it retained from olden associations, when the official staff was removed to the present extensive police establishment in Portland Street.

It was then given over to very humble uses – the ground floors to the street being let as whisky shops, and the upper flats having been split up into dwelling-houses for the lowest class of the people. The greater part of the structure built by Sir George Elphinstone was taken down early in 1849 by order of the Dean of Guild Court, from its having exhibited symptoms of insecurity. It was then a fine remnant and wreck of the Scottish urban Manor House style, with its oriel windows, ornamental ceilings, and stout oaken staircases. The Tower, which remains, though sadly dilapidated externally and internally, still exhibits evidences of the aristocratic aspect it wore in the days of other years.

Elphinstone

The Old Baronial Hall was built by Elphinstone in 1601. Following his death in 1634 the building passed down through several owners including Robert Douglas, Viscount Belhaven (who added a distinctive square tower), Gorbals Town Council and Sir James Turner. It was demolished in the early 1870s. Thank to the Mitchell Library.

Main Street Gorbals2

Main Street, Gorbals by William Simpson (1823-1899).

This watercolour provides a view of Main Street (later Gorbals Street) looking south. Sir George Elphinstone became MP for Glasgow in 1583 and Provost in 1605. He acquired land in the Gorbals in 1601 and built a mansion and chapel (left). He died in 1634 and his estate was sold to pay his debts. Robert Douglas, Vicount Belhaven, purchased the barony and added the square tower (middle distance) to the old baronial hall. Only the bases remain here, of the square turrets which once adorned each corner. The round tower in the street has also been reduced in height. By the 1840s the chapel had been converted into a pub, identifiable by the gilt board sign hanging outside. The Citizens’ Theatre now occupies the site of the house and church.

This watercolour is one of a series of fifty-five painted by Simpson between 1893 and 1898. Most are based on sketches he completed fifty years earlier and which appeared as black and white illustrations in Views and Notices of Glasgow in Former Times, published in 1848 by Allan & Ferguson.

Elphinstone Interior

William Simpson’s impression of the interior of the old Gorbals Baronial Hall, as it appeared on 23 August 1858.
By the time Simpson visited in 1858 a part of the hall (with the neighbouring chapel) had been converted into a public house, the Old Gorbals Wine and Spirit Vaults. However, the ornate ceiling and cornicing and the statuettes on the walls are reminders of the building’s former glories, as the home of one of Glasgow’s most prominent men of affairs. The initials S G E and D A B on the ceiling were part of the original decoration and stood for Sir George Elphinstone and his wife Dame Agnes Boyd.

Filed Under: Main Street Gorbals, MainStreetGorbals, O

The Glenbervie

January 25, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

185 Gorbals Street formerly called Main Street, Gorbals.

The Glenbervie Bar 185 Gorbals Street

The Glenbervie. Thanks to Tich Keltie for this great image.

Gorbals Street was once called Main Street, Gorbals and for well over 100 years has been well provided for old men’s pubs. The Glenbervie was just one of these public houses. When this photo was taken Hugh Gallagher was the licensee.

The history of this old Gorbals favourite started in 1868 when spirit merchant John Clement obtained a licence to sell beer and spirits. Mr Clement lived not far away and stayed with his family at 198 Crown Street. The address of the premises then was known as Upper Main Street.

After five years trading, the pub was taken over by George Shaw. George only had the pub for a year, the reason for this has been lost in the history books of Glasgow.

On 22nd April 1874 a well-known wine and spirit merchant Andrew Riddell took over the running of the pub, he paid an annual rent of £111.00 which was a great amount for a pub in the Gorbals.

Andrew’s rent was reduced to £93- 10 shillings after the First World Far and continued to serve the locals until 1921.

Other licensee to hold the licence was James Murdoch 1923 to 1927. Francis Evans during the 30s and 40s, he also ran a pub at 114 St James Road. In the 1950s Hugh Robb owned the pub then Mr Hugh Gallagher a popular Irishman who arrived to Glasgow from Donegal.

Mr Gallagher became very popular in the Southside of the city. He was friends with most of the Irishmen in the area including his friends Eddie Boyle, James McCready and Hugh Bonner.

Mr Hugh Gallagher with friends James McCready and Eddie Boyle.

Left to right young Hugh Gallagher, unknown, James McCready and Edward (Eddie) Boyle.

Do you known the unknown man 2nd on the left?

All the above men were from Donegal. Thanks to Tich Keltie.

Hugh Gallagher was a very successful businessman and had some of the best pubs in the Gorbals including, Gallagher’s Bar at 631 Argyle Street, Anderston, 32 Raglan Street, The Tirconnail Bar, 173 Cumberland Street and The Govanhill Bar, 332 Thistle Street.

Hugh’s friend James McCready took over the Glenbervie Bar in 1963. Mr McCready was also the licensee of the Tolbooth Bar, 11 Saltmarket at Glasgow Cross.

Have your say on this old Gorbals favourite by commenting below.

Filed Under: G, Main Street Gorbals, MainStreetGorbals

The Garrick Vaults

January 2, 2017 by John Gorevan 4 Comments

105 Main Street, Gorbals, Glasgow. G5 9DW. Demolished.

Drawing of the Garrick Vaults Main Street Gorbals
The Garrick Vaults.

Main Street, Gorbals became Gorbals Street.

There has been a public house on this site since 1853. Kenneth Davidson, spirit merchant was the first licence holder, living at 25 Coburg Street. The following year wine and spirit merchant John McKenzie took over. Mr McKenzie was living with his family at 99 Main Street, Gorbals until he gave up the business in 1875. Next to run the pub was wine & spirit merchant William Morrison. Mr Morrison also had pubs at 24 Brunswick Street, and 62 Glassford Street.

The next licensee was well-known and popular wholesale and retail wine and spirit merchant Mr William Fraser, he also had premises at 2 Pollok Street / 333 Paisley Road, 53 West Scotland Street, 172 Cumberland Street, 211 Eglinton Street / 64 Cavendish Street, 47 South Coburg Street, 104 West Street, 172 Cumberland Street, 3 Camden Street.

In 1887 William Fraser had premises at: 278 Cumberland Street / 3 Camden Street. Wine Importer & wholesale spirit merchant Southern Wine & spirit Stores, 13-15 Eglinton Street, 333 Paisley Road / 2 Pollok Street, 307 Eglinton Street / 64 Cavendish Street, 105 Main Street / 43-45 Rutherglen Loan, 53-55 West Scotland Street / 12 Keyden Street.

William Fraser gave up his Main Street premises in 1895.

In 1895 George Scott and manager Alexander Mitchell took over this old pub, The Garrick, which was situated at the corner of Main Street and Rutherglen Road, Gorbals.

Image of George Scott owner of the Garrick Vaults 1897
Mr George Scott. 1897.

Mr Scott was born in the village of Longniddry, East Lothian and moved with his parents to Tranent, here he attended school. On leaving his education at an early age he entered into the licensed trade there before moving to Leith. In 1869 he began his long service with Rutherford’s, Jamaica Street working his way up to manager, he stayed with the firm for the long period of twelve years.

Citizens Bar.

The Citizen Bar 1960s. Thanks to Norrie McNamee for the image.

Mr Scott was an enthusiastic ornithologist and was one of the best judges of canaries in the country, he won prizes for his birds in both Scotland and Ireland. He loved to play bowls and curling and was a crack shot. He was probably best known for his interest in horticulture, in 1903 he won first prize and four second prizes for his plot in Hutchesontown Gardens, his garden plot was specially photographed for the Gardeners Journal. His eldest son supervised in the Garrick in the early part of the 1900s.

Image of Alexander Mitchell manager of the Garrick Vaults Main Street Gorbals
Mr Alexander Mitchell. 1895.

Manager of the Garrick Vaults, Alexander Mitchell.

Mr Scott took on manager Alexander Mitchell, the two of them worked together in Rutherford’s and were great friends. Mr Mitchell a native of the West Highlands came from Ormidale, his father was a factor and manager for Mrs Campbell who owned the Ormidale estate a beautiful part in the Kyle of Bute. His father left the estate and moved to Paisley where he acquired licensed premises in Gilmour Street formerly held by Thomas Blair.

Young Alex received his education at a private school known as Watson’s, after leaving he assisted his father in his new venture in a pub on Govan Road the “Kyles of Bute” wine and spirit cellar. Alex left his father to work on the ships, becoming steward. He then joined the staff at Rutherford’s where he met his long life friend Mr Scott. A well known blend of Scotch whisky was sold on in the Garrick No.4, costing 10d a gill.

Image of the Citizens Bar and the Seaforth Bar Gorbals Street
Citizens Bar. 1960s.

Looking along Gorbals Street with both the Citizen Bar and the Seaforth Bar. Thanks to Norrie McNamee for the image.

Mr Scott acquired another establishment on Pollokshaws Road now called the Allison Arms. He when bankrupt in 1912. George Banks the took over the Garrick and continued as licensee until the end of the First World War.

Another well known publican to hold the licence was Charles Sweeney, many southside locals will still remember Mr Sweeney who took over the pub in 1958, he ran the business until it was demolished in the 1970s. The pub will still be remembered as the Citizen’s Bar.

Image of the Gorbals Ward License Holders in 1966
Gorbals Ward. 1966.

The Gorbals Ward of licensees’ in 1966, left to right above are: J Hargan (Normal Bar); Charles Sweeney (The Citizen Bar); J Dickson (Moss End Bar) Bellshill; A McAuley (The Pig & Whistle); Mrs J Dickson; D Welsh (Teachers) and Mrs Welsh; H Gallagher (The Tirconnail Bar); Mrs A McAuley; Peter Gallagher (The Havana Bar); and A Ward (The Old Ship Bank).

Image of the Gorbals Ward. 1971
Gorbals Ward. 1971.

Gorbals Ward dinner dance of the Glasgow and District Licensed Trade Defence Association. 1971. Included in this photograph are Mrs & Mrs Frank Munro, Mr & Mrs C Sweeney, Mr Alex R D Anderson, editor of the National Guardian, George Ramster, Michael Heraghty, George Grier, I G Donaldson, Samuel Falconer.

Image of Gorbals Bowling team in 1974
Gorbals Bowling team. 1974.

Good days bowling 1974. H Gallagher, R McCrudden, C Sweeney, E O’Doherty, W McCann, W Coggans, A Jordon, C Duncan.

Image of the Citizen Bar Darts Team 1972
Citizen Bar Darts Team. 1972.

The Citizen Bar wins the Guinness Darts Shield for the fourth time, beating the Ceilidh Bar, Clyde Street in the final, Mr Charles Sweeney, Mr W Martin, captain, Bob Connolly, area representative, Guinness, G McGinlay, Ceilidh captain and J A Baillie, assistant regional manager for Guinness. 1972.

Image of Guinness Darts Team 1968
Guinness Darts Shield runners up team. 1968.

The Guinness darts shield 1968. The Tron Bar was runners up. Left to right Mr J Reynolds, Tron Bar, Mr Larrie King, Citizen’s Bar team captain, Mr Jimmy Reynolds no relation to the other Mr Reynolds who was captain of the Tron Bar team, J A Baillie, Guinness and Mr Charles Sweeney.

Image of the Gorbals Ward Licensed Trade Association 1965
Gorbals Ward L.T.A 1965.

Members of the Gorbals Ward Licensed Trade Association 1965. Back row J Thom, Michael J  Heraghty, N Douglas, Charles Sweeney, J K Webster. Front row Pat McGovern, Hugh Gallagher, Sam Falconer, Raymond McCrudden.

Image of the Gorbals Ward LTA 1965
Gorbals Licensed Trade Association. 1965.

Gorbals Ward Licensed Trade Association 1965. Left to right Mr & Mrs J Rogers, Alamo, Mr & Mrs A Ferry, Alamo, Mr Charles Sweeney, Mrs & Mr Bright, Citizen’s Bar.

Image of the Gorbals licensed trade in 1968
Gorbals Licensed Trade. 1968.

A Gorbals Licensed Trade function 1968. Left to right Mr & Mrs Charles Sweeney, Mr & Mrs J Thom, Thom’s Bar, Mr F B Munro, Cutty Sark.

Image of a large group of Gorbals Ward night out 1974
Gorbals night out. 1974.

Gorbals group of licence holders. 1974. Mrs Malarkey, C Sweeney, M J Heraghty, Mrs Heraghty, G Watt, Bell’s, E O’Doherty, Mrs O’Doherty, H Gallagher, Mrs Gallagher, J Donaghey, Mrs Donaghey. (Also see The Gorbals Ward.

image of a group of Gorbals night out in 1974
Gorbals Ward night out. 1974.

Gorbals night out 1974. left to right G H Ramster, Mrs Ramster, H Gallagher, Mrs Gallagher, Mrs Sweeney, Mr C Sweeney, Mrs Munro, Frank Munro.

The Citizen’s Bar wins the Cutty Sark darts competition 1967, F Munro, Cutty Sark congratulates Charlie Sweeney and his team. Below is the runners up Mr Munro congratulates Mr Hugh Gallagher and his team, Tirconnail Bar.

Image of the Citizen Bar runners up darts team 1967
Citizen Bar runners up. 1967.
Image of James McKell George Ramster and Mrs Forester 1959
James McKell, George Ramster and Mrs Forester. 1959.

Mr James McKell of the Turf Bar, George Ramster and Mrs Forester. 1959.

Image of Mr and Mrs Thomas Kelly of the New Era Bar
Mrs Cathy & Mr Thomas Kelly New Era Bar.

Cathy and Thomas Kelly owners of the New Era Bar.

Image of a group of customers outside the New Era Bar with a bus 1950s
New Era Bar. 1951.

Customers of the New Era Bar, Gorbals Street pictured prior to their outing to Dumfries. The proprietor of the New Era Bar was John Scanlan. 1951.

Image of the Citizen Bar with the Seaforth Bar
Citizen Bar

Looking along Gorbals Street north with the Seaforth Bar and the Citizen Bar on the other corner.

Image of Citizens Bar 1960s
The Citizens Bar.

The Citizen from Rutherglen Road.

Facts…
Licence Holders.
1973-1958 Charles Sweeney.
1957 J McArdle.
1947 John Burns.
1937 Thomas Kelly.
1919-1912 George Banks.
1911-1895 George Scott.

1888 William Morrison.

1876 William Fraser.

1875 John McKenzie.

1853 Kenneth Davidson.

Do you remember this old Gorbals Pub? If so please leave a comment.

END.

Filed Under: G, Main Street Gorbals, MainStreetGorbals Tagged With: Alexander Mitchell, Garrick Vaults, George Scott, Gorbals Street, Gorbals Ward License Holders, John MacKenzie, Main Street Gorbals, William Fraser, William Morrison

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