271 Garscube Road, Glasgow.
The Milestone Bar was built in 1908. There used to be an old Milestone Bar on the sit, but it was demolished and a new tenement of flats and a new public house on the ground floor was erected. The old premises were owned by Thomas Wilson and when the new building was erected he took over the new pub.
The pub was situated near the stopping place of the half penny tram and the roon toll. The new pub had large etched glass windows. Inside the new bar the walls were paneled in cypress wood. The ceilings and walls were covered in anaglyptic paper which was varnished to give a durable surface which was easy to clean. In the center of the room a large circular bar counter had a well stocked spirit rack, there were little snug’s around the bar with electric bells. A new family department (off-sales) was also added to the new premises. To the rear of the premises a stock room was full of bottled beers and stout, while the cellar underneath the pub was stocked with wines, whiskies and other favourite beverages.
Mr Wilson blended his own whisky on the premises, he also stocked Mitchell’s, Coleraine, and Talisker, Robert Younger for beer on draught.
Mr Wilson was born in Killearn and came to Glasgow as a young boy with his father who started business in the Cowcaddens, this is where young Thomas got his first experience in the licensed trade. He worked for James Anderson, Parliamentary Road for a few years before he was chargehand for John Caldwell’s pub, 37 Milton Street. Thomas stayed with Mr Caldwell for the long period of fifteen years, for his faithful service to his he was assumed a partner, an arrangement that lasted another fifteen years.
Thomas when on to own another pub, at New Keppochhill Road. In his spare time he played golf and loved out door sports, he was an ardent Freemason of Lodge Atholl.
The architect for the new building on Garscube Road was his son.
Facts…
There used to be an old milestone fixed to the outside wall of the Milestone Bar. Inscribed Royal Exchange 1 Mile, Drymen 16 Miles, Balfron 18 Miles and Aberfoyle 25 Miles.
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