Shettleston

Shettleston:

 

Shettleston Parish Church, Killin Street.

 

Eastbank Academy, Shettleston.

 

Main Street, Shettleston.  The thatched cottages on the left were known as Dickson’s Row and ran westwards from the corner of the then Springfield Road (now Amulree Street).

 

 

Thomas G. Simpson

An old Shettlestonian 1923

 

 

Thomas G. Simpson a well known and genial East Ender may be truly called a Shettlestonian as he was brought to the village some 65 years ago when he was only four years of age.

Shettleston at that time was a small place with nothing but the old type of clachan houses many of which have long since disappeared. There were none of the big tenements that meet the eye on every side. These old houses were mostly inhabited by miners or those working about the pits in some capacity. It was then an easy matter to tell the name of every one old and young, in the village. Simpson after a very short time at the village school went at an early age of ten to work in the pits which occupation he followed till he was 35 years old.

Then he resolved to try something else, so he made a start on a small scale, in the ice cream and confection line. He carried on that business with a fair amount of success for twenty years.

Simpson’s ice cream shop and ice cream used to be a household name in the district.

At the end of twenty years, having grown tired of the ice cream trade, he thought he would like a change, this time making a big venture by building a dwelling-house and billiard room with ten tables. This he has also carried on with considerable success for twenty years. Simpson’s billiard room is considered one of the best equipped in the city.

Being of a somewhat versatile nature, he took part in many things in his younger days, being known in the surrounding district as a comedian and dancer also playing a prominent part in the Auld Shettleston Brass Band.

Simpson also did much to promote the cause of Labour and Socialism in the locality. He looks back with pride to the night that he was appointed first president of the local branch of the Independent labour Party. By some he is called the father of socialism in Shettleston.

He was a man of wide reading with a fine collection of books. A lover of the poets especially Robert Burns

Thomas G. Simpson’s billiard room would have been on what is now Fernan Street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eastbank Academy, Shettleston Road.

 

Shettleston Cross – Looking East:

Shettleston Cross.  Note the barefoot children on the right.

Shettleston Cross – Looking West:

Shettleston Cross.  Andrew Gilchrist Wine & Spirit merchant at the corner on the right.

Main Street, Shettleston:

Main Street, Shettleston.

Main Street:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Main Street, Shettleston

Main Street:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Main Street, Shettleston at Wellshot Road (The Cross)

Main Street:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Main Street, Shettleston looking towards Parkhead.

Wellshot Road:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wellshot Road with Wellshot School to the right.

 

 

31 thoughts on “Shettleston

  1. Angela Walden ( for John Weir)

    John Weir
    16 Dalveen Street
    Born August 1929 Brother Robert Weir

    Parents Robert & Jean Weir

    Apprentice at WG Brown Engineering Old Shettleston Rd 1944 – 1957

    Reply
  2. Thomas McCann Post author

    Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any memories of Thomas Begg, property owners and factors in Shettleston from around 1912 onwards. Not sure how to ask a question on the \’Shettleston\’ page, thanks Jane

    Reply
    1. Sandra

      Hi Thomas, my Dad used to work there in the 60s. He was a joiner. I rented a flat from them when I got married. I have a vague feeling it was a woman that was behind the counter
      Sandra

      Reply
  3. Henry D. Machon

    Has anyone got any pics of Charles Mulgrew the Coal Merchant who served Shettlestonin the 50’s/60’s if my memory serves me right. My Mother was Born in Reid St then changed to Dinnet St, her Name was Catherine Devlin. Her sister Mry lived in Chester St opposite the old Police Station. All the family lived around Shettleston into the late 70’s. Paddy Brady lived in Vesiluis St, my cousin John lived in Old Shettelston Rd, opposite the Juniors Park. Loved running around Shettleston too. Does anyone remember Charlie Mulgrew or rhe Devlins/Bradys, thanks.

    Reply
    1. Alexandra Birrell

      Don’t know if it’s the same person but my husbands best friend was Frank Mulgrew and his father had a coal business. There was a big family

      Reply
  4. Jack Callon

    Does anyone know what happened to York Terrace, Shettleston? The street is no longer there. My great grandparents ended their lives there just over a century ago.

    Reply
    1. Thomas McCann Post author

      Hi Jack i have sent an email and attachment showing where York ter was,Its the tenement building between Fingask st and Dodside st Now Shettlestone rd

      Reply
      1. Ian Campbell

        Hello Thomas,
        I was trying to locate 100 York Terrace, presumably from your post it was opposite the red sandstone block on the North side of Shettlestone Road. My grandfather and his family lived there at the time of the 1901 census – 10 people in all, so was presumably quite cramped. Your description doesn’t seem to allow for a long enough terrace of tenements to allow for 50 closes/ entrances. Any useful information that you could email me would be appreciated.

        Reply
  5. Tom Murray

    Hi,
    I was born 1948 top floor (left) at 50 Ardholm Street, Shettleston.
    Mothers name Theresa Murray.
    Grand parents Tommy and Lizzie Murray
    Tommy was union convener Parkhead forge during 1950s
    He assisted many Shettleston residents in their battles with Faulds the factor.
    I clearly remember the row of ancient weavers cottages adjacent to the State cinema .

    Reply
    1. ROBERT LINDSAY

      My father was attatched to PARKHEAD FORGE SILVER BAND in the late forties he prepared all their music for tours and band competitions his name was Bob Lindsay his brother Peter played trumpet and posthorn his brother Andrew played euphonium I used to go with my dad to band practice on a thursday evening .The forge was still producing shells for the war effort .My dad passed away in 1949 aged 37

      Reply
  6. Colin MIller

    I was born in top flat at 13 Cree Street, Shettleston 28 October 1951.
    My dad used to play tunes on his electric slide guitar and took requests from neighbours.
    Now all sadly gone!

    Reply
    1. joe coogans

      I lived 13 Cree Street born 1954 three up on the right. Still remember the toilets on the landing. My Dad was the local bookie and had his on shop on the corner.
      Spent most of my life in the park until we moved to Easterhouse

      Reply
    1. Alan Paterson

      The Palaceum still exists (you misspelt the name). If it’s a diffrent structure I don’t know how much of the original was retained, if anything at all. My next-door neighbour in Torphin Crescent, Greenfield used to drink there. Not been myself. Public houses have restricted opening hours just now, but I’ll go as soon as and post again.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Palaceum.jpg

      Reply
    2. John Simpson

      I was one of your neighbours Josephine….was born just 100yards up the Rd. past Elvan Str….’52…
      you’ll remember the wee church next to Mateo’s cafe…was never out of there….Simpson…My Granda owned Simpson’s Billiard room in Fernan Street. …known as Simpson Street many moons ago…

      Reply
  7. Leonard mcculloch

    I lived at 809 shettlston road above deans pub 1940 and 1948 people below us were called Nesbit and Castle my name is Mcculloch are any of these people still around

    Reply
  8. Betty Reynolds nee Killin

    Hello, I am wondering how the street got the name Killin and any history about the people named Killin , where would I go to find out?

    Reply
  9. roddy mackenzie

    My grandfather John Muir worked in the family butchers shop in Shettleston before WW1 – the shop may have been called after his father William Muir – does anyone have any info about this?

    Reply
  10. Paul Wickett

    Hello,
    You have a wonderful website, the information is incredible. Would you know the year of the picture of the Shettleston Old Parish Church. Thank you.
    Paul

    Reply
    1. Bob Winning

      Hi Paul,

      The postmark on the postcard that the photo was taken from is dated April 10 1907 which indicates that the postcard was published in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s.

      Reply
  11. A shannon

    Trying to find shop owned by Mages family, one daughter married Thomas Farley ,think it was 271/280 old shettleston rd

    Reply
    1. David Kilgour

      Hi Tom, “Villages of Glasgow” Volume 1, written by Aileen Smart has a section on Shettleston and Tollcross.I recommend the book.
      David Kilgour, Eastbank student 1947-52

      Reply
  12. Daniel E McGeachie

    Interesting that so many parts of Shettleston Road looked much the same as when I left to work in England in 1963.

    Reply
    1. Linda Deeks nee Simpson

      Thomas was my great grandfather and he bequeathed the billiard room to his sons.There is still a Thomas G Simpson in the family now

      Reply

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