1023 Gallowgate, Glasgow.
This old Gallowgate pub has been closed for many years now. Not long before it closed down I gave it a visit, it was probably the only bar in the city of Glasgow that had an iron shutter at the bar counter separating the customer from the barman.
The history of this old pub can be traced back to 1853 when Samuel Wellwood was running the pub. Janet then Elizabeth Wellwood continued to run the pub until the 1880s.
By the end of the 1890s John Armstrong was serving the locals here paying an annul rent of £75.00. His wife took over the licence after his death and continued in the business till the 1920s.
In 1926 Patrick Strain took over the licence from Mr Lawrie. Patrick was born in 1883, he took over a small pub in Milton Street, Cowcaddens in 1909. He expanded his small empire by taking over another pub in North Street then opened Strain’s in the Cowcaddens this pub was renamed by the family to the Grange. Another Grange was opened on the Gallowgate in the east end of the city by the family in 1926.
Mr & Mrs Strain’s son Raymond was a well known figure in the Scottish Licensed Trade he started out working part time in the family business, after his father’s death Mrs Strain took over as licensee, Raymond then managed his mothers pub in the Cowcaddens.
Raymond was married in 1961 to Catherine Treanor, her father was a well known figure in the licensed trade in the south side of the city. The wedding took place at St. Aloysius Chapel. Raymond was secretary of the Glasgow Vintners Association.
Strain’s Bar in Cowcaddens 1930s.
The Grange, Cowcaddens. 1960s.
The wedding day of Patrick Strain’s Daughter 1947.
In this prize winners group photograph was taken at the dinner dance and presentation of prizes held by the Glasgow Vintners’ Golf Section in the Grosvenor Restaurant. Left to right… Mr G McEntee, vice-president, Express Bar, winner of the Coronation Cup, presented by Joseph Dunn; D Ferrie, secretary, Bells Bar, winner of the Younger Putter; Ian Kennedy, captain, Morven Bar, winner of the McCall and Pringle Cup; Peter Smith, holding the Calder Rose Bowl on behalf of the winner, Raymond Strain; A Hanlon jun., with the McEwan Shield, won by his father, A V Hanlon, licensed grocer, Govan; R Mahan, Lomond Lounge, Lambhill, winner of the White Horse Cup; B McLaughlin, Town Tavern, Rutherglen, winner of the Vintners’ Tankard. 1962.
To read more on the pubs on the Gallowgate read up & Doon the Gallowgate by John Gorevan. A copy can be bought for a few pounds at the Hielan Jessie on the Gallowgate or contact me at [email protected]
Mr & Mrs Raymond Strain of their wedding day 1961.
