Tollcross

Tollcross:

 

 

The Mansion, Tollcross park.

Rustic Bridge, Tollcross park.

Tollcross Park.

Tollcross park.

Tollcross Park, The Glen.

Tollcross Park, another shot of the Glen

The Glen from Rustic Bridge.

Tollcreoss Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tollcross Park bridge at the Glen with Mansion in the background.

The Museum, Tollcross Park.

 

Below:  Copyright © Herald and Times Group.  Reoroduced by kind permission of Herald and Times Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Museum circa 1980.

Tollcross Park Bandstand.

Below:  Copyright © Herald and Times Group.  Reproduced by kind permission of Herald and Times Group

Tollcross Park circa 1940.  I believe this is the entrance from the Wellshot Road end of the park.

Main Avenue Tollcross Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Main Avenue.  This access was used by coaches

 

Tollcross Park, Duck Pond.

Another view of the Duck Pond.

Rockdove Gardens

Some road works ongoing on Tollcross Road with the Steam Road Roller parked in Mauckinfauld Road.  Note the sign next to the gas street lamp.  These were also known as Rockdove & Deerpark Gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still trying to date this one.  The horse and cart straddling the tram tracks on the left is a Barr’s one.

Another earlier version of the above only slightly more forward.

Tollcross UF Church, Tollcross Road.

Reverend William Auld:

William Auld was the son of the Reverend William Auld, Minister of Sir Michael Street Relief Church, Greenock and was born at Glassford in 1806.  He studied at the University of Glasgow where he was a creditable student, from which he passed to the Relief Theological Hall, Paisley under the instruction of the Rev. Mr Thomson.

The Rev. William Auld was elected minister by a majority of 60 votes on the 21st November 1832 and ordained on 28th February 1833.  There was an ordination dinner in the session house, for which the charge was 2s 6d; the elders being free of charge.

His Manse at Parkhead was for many years a busy marrying centre; and on the Friday of the Glasgow Fair and Hogmanay he would sometimes have ten to fifteen couples attending at his house in order to be made happy.

His Jubilee was celebrated on 24th October 1882.

He died at the manse, Parkhead on 17th April 1885 in the 79th year of his age and fifty third of his ministry and was buried in the churchyard behind the vestry in lair number 498.

An obelisk was subsequently erected to his memory by former members and friends of the church resident in the city, in conjunction with a large number of members of the church.  It is of Aberdeen granite, and bears on the east side, in bronze relief, an excellent representation of his features.  His wife lies beside him.  A large family was reared in the old manse.  One of his surviving sons was the Rev. James Auld, who was ordained by The Glasgow United Presbytery (22nd February 1875) as a missionary to Caffraria.  For some years the station at Elujilo was under his charge, but since he laboured at Columba in the same colony.  He was honoured by being chosen moderator of the South African Church.

Tollcross U.F. Church just prior to demolition

Copyright © Norman McNamee

Reproduced by kind permission of Norman McNamee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sketch of Reverend William Auld.

Tollcross Road

Tollcross Road at Wellshot Road and Braidfauld Street.

Rockdove & Deerpark Gardens, Tollcross Road:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rockdove & Deerpark Gardens, Tollcross Road at Maukinfauld Drive.

 

Tollcross Park Greenhouse:

A busy day in Tollcross Park around the Greenhouse.

 

Tollcross park Greenhouse 2012

A 2012 photo from a similar viewpoint of the above, giving a then and now perspective.

 

Tollcross Park

Tollcross Park with old Bandstand,  The Glasshouse or Conservatory to the left with Tollcross Mansion to the right.

Main Street

Main Street, Tollcross with Causeyside Street to the immediate left.

Tollcross Society Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To commemorate Tollcross Society Limited.  This is positioned at 3 Causewayside Street

Tollcross School

Miss Smellie’s class of girls Tollcross School 1908. The School Board System was created by the  Scottish Education Act of 1872. The first School Board for Glasgow was elected in March 1873. The Board had 15 seats, and for these 39 candidates presented themselves.

Easterhill Street

Mr and Mrs Paterson at doorway of family home at number 36 Easterhill Street 1915.  This house is long since demolished.

 

Mr and Mrs Robert Paterson, Easterhill Streeet, Tollcross pictured in 1904 with five of their nine children.

Easterhill Street Shop

Mr Paterson’s grocery shop at number 104 Easterhill Street 1913 located at the corner of Corbett Street at its junction with Easterhill Street. The shop, with internal living accommodation to the rear, gave an uninterrupted view of the former Tollcross Railway Station. There, hanging in the shop window, is an advertisement for Olympia, Bridgeton Cross. 100 years on, Olympia has been restored at a cost of just under £2 million as part of Glasgow’s ongoing east-end regeneration programme. A closer look in the window reveals unwrapped loaves of bread as it was sold in those days.

 

 

 

St Margarets Tollcross Church

 

 

Tollcross. Rev Harry was Robert Curries cousin and the Tennent’s were well known family in the district.

 

 

Tollcross Mansion Today

Could this be Bobby being fed

 

Copyright © R J S Wiseman – Reproduced by kind permission of Richard Wiseman

 

Tram 641 on Tollcross Road at Causewayside Street 20 June 1954.  Across the road is the YMCA and shops Clark and J. Runcima.

Tollcross Park:

Tollcross Park Bandstand.

Tollcross – Braidfauld Street

Braidfauld Street with Easterhill Street on the right.

Tollcross Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tollcross Park:  band Stand & Greenhouse

Tollcross Park Gate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tollcross Park Gate on Tollcross Road.

Bob, The Royal Stag:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob, The Royal Stag in Tollcross Park.

The Glen Tollcross Park:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Glen Tollcross Park.

Lovers’ Walk, Tollcross Park:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovers’ Walk, Tollcross Park:

Deer in Tollcross Park:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tollcross rd facing Drumover Dr 1912

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45 thoughts on “Tollcross

  1. Paul Smith

    Thanks to everyone – fascinating to read all this and see the images. My mother, then Cathie Lynn, was born in 1914 and brought up in 139 Tollcross Road, leaving in 1938 when she married my father.

    Reply
  2. Colin McKay

    This is a great website. My mother, Ann Livingstone White lived at 29 Dalness St. She went to Wellshot School in the 1950s. My dad, Robert McKay grew up at 70 Maukinfauld Road. in the 1940-50s. I’m born in USA but I have been back to Glasgow many times.

    Reply
  3. Mary McNaughton Poole

    My uncle Finlay McNaughton was born at Westthorn Lodge Tollcross in 1897. I am trying to find more information on this place. Woondering if it was on the Westthorn Estate?

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  4. Alexander mair

    i was park ranger in tx park ,worked 1980 till 2008 roughly. i was there when the tennis courts were still opened .also 9 hole pitch and putt. and bowling green still in operation also childrens zoo still opened even today zoo still opened, i also played football for my church of nazarene team . our home park was up in shettleston hill . we also used changing rooms at bottom of ash parks. my uncle charlie was in charge of the zoo , i also worked in gardening squad in tx . squads were housed in wellshot road yard . across from wellshot school which i also attended. glasshouse was intact when i was there , names of staff aidrian o rourke. peter burke . gerry mc ginlay . jimmy stewart.tommy mcgee i still remember some of the park squads name . if needed info please ask . i also worked in glasgow green . greenfield mount vernon easterhouse alexandra park springburn pk loved my time in the east end of glasgow ?

    Reply
  5. Sue Robertson

    I am writing from Australia. My great grandparents were Thomas & Jane (“Jeanie”) Robertson (nee Watson) – they had 9 children and prior to relocating the family to Australia in 1925 they lived at 624 Main Road Tollcross. My grandfather, Thomas Watson Robertson b 1903 was one of the children of Tom & Jeanie. He was baptised in Shettleston and attended Wellshot Road School. It seems from the records I can access, the family moved from 2 Dunlop Street Tollcross where they lived 1899 to 1903 approx (described as Frenchs Land, Dunlop street Tollcross on some documents) to 70 Parkhead Row Bellshill (approx 1905), to 71 Watson Pde Tollcross (approx 1907 to 1911) and finally to 624 Main Street Tollcross (approx 1916 to 1925). When I travelled to UK in 1989 and visited Tollcross I had been told that Dunlop Street no longer existed as it had made way for a motorway/road (just wondering if anyone can confirm this?). Thomas’s brother George I believe married Jeanie’s sister Agnes Watson and they too lived in Tollcross area. Thomas was a coalminer (he continued this occupation when he moved to Australia). He travelled out to Australia in 1924 to find employment and a home for his wife and family – they joined him in 1925. I would be interested in obtaining any information including if any family still reside in the area.

    Reply
    1. Kenny Bell

      Dunlop Street was re-named and is now known as Corbett St – where Tollcross Cemetery is. Unfortunately, any old buildings (e.g. number 2) no longer exist.

      Reply
  6. Dorothy

    These are wonderful photos and great stories. My Dad was born in 1922. He lived at a place called ‘The Chuckie’ in Battles Burn Street which no longer exists but used to be almost opposite Amulree Street. I’ve been trying to find out more about it. A lot of my Dad’s predecessors lived around Shettleston and Tollcross. My Great Aunt Sarah Gunn married a William Winning of Main Street, Tollcross in 1908. They had a son Robert who was killed in WWII in the Chindit campaign. I see a Rob Winning here and wonder if we’re connected.

    I don’t know when the Chuckie was demolished. I’d be very grateful if anyone knew anything about it. The family are all very keen to know more.

    Reply
  7. Liz Norris

    I have just found this site and it brought back so many memories.
    My name was Elizabeth Irving and I lived at 490 Tollcross Road from about 1950 until I got married in 1969. We lived over the post office and the bakers and were very lucky as I think the three flats on our side of the close were the only ones with three rooms and a bathroom.
    I remember, at the age of 4 looking out from the front room window to see what all the commotion was and it was when there had been a hold up in the post office and the postmaster Mr Plenderleith was shot and a lady was held hostage by the escaping robbers.
    There used to be waste ground between the last houses and Coias which we were told had been a bomb site and we used to play there until they built a pub on the site.
    I attended Wellshot Road Primary School and we never took the straight route home from school. Could go round and have a look in the museum or by the putting green or even by the bandstand where you could hear what was going on but couldn’t see over the hedge.
    I spent some time at Tollcross School where I remember we used to march up the stairs to ‘Col Bogey’ and of course we all knew the words about Hitler etc.
    I went on to Eastbank Academy.
    On Sundays we were allowed to go for a walk in the park but all the swings were chained up so you couldn’t play on them and of course you were not allowed to hang out washing on a Sunday either.

    Reply
  8. Joyce Mcparland

    I was brought up in Causewayside Street Tollcross.Never see or hear of it on any books about Tollcross.There was a washhouse a accident there about 1960 /61.i would live to hear from anyone who lived there.My maiden name is Joyce Mccann

    Reply
    1. Liz Baillie Taylor Bowman

      My Aunt lived there Jean Morris (nee Gray). Also Uncle Joey Uncle Robert and Uncle John can’t remember which number but near top end before Tollcross Road. Had relatives the Shaws, Aunt Lily Uncle Jimmy cousin Gavin in Carmyle posh end haha. I believe I have some Baillie relatives in Tollcross cemetery

      Reply
  9. Tommy bell

    Does anyone remember back in 1970s Tollcross Park had army, airforce display and red arrows parachute into park? I’ve been looking online but not a sign of this? Anyone any pictures etc.? Tommy

    Reply
    1. Thomas McCann Post author

      Remember it well Tommy, remember them parachuting into the park also the tables with the guns chained to them

      Reply
    2. Mark Millrine

      Remeber it well. The displays: tanks, guns, zip slide etc were on the slope behind the bowling greens. One year there was an enormous gang fight on the opposite slope. Think it was a 3 cornered fight with the Wee Men, The Tigers and The Border. I’m guessing it would have been 73-74ish.

      Reply
  10. Jim King

    I was born in 1951 at 432 Tollcross Road, a room and kitchen with outside toilet shared by 16 people including the 8 Flanagans who occupied the single end at the back. Remember playing in the wash houses and trips across to the park to see the museum and, on a Sunday night, to hear the Salvation Army band play in the bandstand. There was an old fashioned cafe down the road with wooden booths run by what seemed at the time a very old lady. Moved in 1955 to the luxury of Ruchazie with inside bathroom and garden? I have fond memories of these early years.

    Reply
    1. Liz Norris

      This cafe/ice cream shop was run by two sisters – the Miss Hardy’s
      We used to have to go there to buy our ice cream as our Dad had been a POW in Itlay and would not allow us to go to Coia’s even though it was nearer.

      Reply
      1. Paul Carswell

        My grandparents lived at 642 tollcross road and on my grandmothers side were related to the Hardy sisters who had the cafe. I remember well visits on Sundays when my Grandma would cook a proper roast on the range followed with a walk round the park with my Grandpa and a visit to the museum, particularly remember the stuffed cocked robin display. He would entertain my brother and I with his story’s about working in Mozambique. Fond memories.

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      2. Eleanor Doughty nee McFarlane

        I remember the Miss Hardy’s, they were really nice old ladies. I spent a lot of my sweetie ration coupons in that shop.

        Reply
    2. John McCulloch

      Yes the Cafe was run by the Hardie sisters two lovely old ladies I used to go there. I was born in 1957 and they were still there in the early sixties!

      Reply
  11. Bronwyn

    Westhorn House, Tollcross

    My grandmother was born at Westhorn House in 1909. Her name was Jean Telford. Her grand-parents (Drummond or maybe McCallum) rented the house and her grand-father owned butcher shops in Glasgow. Any information on the house or family would be much appreciated.

    Reply
  12. Jen

    Victor Franchitti owned an ice cream cafe in Wellshot road in the 1950/ early 60s. I lived above the cafe at 5Wellshot Road. That’s the Shettleston end. His older sister Esther worked their too. They used to make the ice cream in a wee brick by then defunct wash house round my backcourt. Is he related to the aforementioned Tony Franchitti? Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

    Reply
  13. John Simpson

    Yes Rosemary Connolly I remember you vaguely you befriended my sister Linda Simpson…in fact went to same school……..

    Reply
  14. M.Reed

    Does anyone know who the new owners of the beautiful St.Margarets’ Tollcross church in Braidfauld St are, & what are the intentions for the future use of the building?
    Church of Scotland sold the building in July 2017 (offers over £125k), and there was interest from other religious groups wishing to turn it into a social centre, as had been done with Shettleston Parish church earlier in 2017.
    It was such a beautiful, arts & crafts style building, that it would be appalling for it to be turned into yet another unwanted pub or restaurant.
    Many of our public spaces & buildings are either being privatised or “gentrified/redeveloped” as “luxury flats” then priced out of the reach of ordinary folk.
    Similarly, churches such as St.Margarets Tollcross are a physical presence in our communities that spans the generations, – having relevance far deeper than being a place of worship,christenings,marriages & funerals.
    Does anyone know what is happening to dear old St.Margarets Tollcross ?

    Reply
    1. Bob Winning

      Hi Margarita,

      The church is a B listed category building and noted as non-residential. The listed building status means there are limitations as to what can be done with the property. It would be best to contact Glasgow City Council Planning to see if any planning applications have been submitted or any other change of use applications.

      Reply
  15. William preston

    I was brought up at 82 maukinfauld road tollcross where I was born in 1938. I have very good memories of tollcross park where I spent my early life there. My parents had a greengrocers shop at 701 shettleston road until 1970. I attended shettleston junior school from 1943 to 1950when I went to east am senior secondary school from 1950 to1955 when I was awarded an apprentice in carpentry and joinery with contractor Angus mcdougals at dvaar street near parkhead. I attended stow collee of building up to 1959 when I was called up for two years national service in the Royal Air Force. I returned to mcdougals in 1961 and continued my education. At stow college of building. I left glasgow in 1962 when I joined terson ltd in Gloucester in 1962where I left them to join wimpey construction ltd. in kent in 1966 where I remained until 1989 when I joined a Dutch construction company ballast nedam Plc in London as construction director until I retired in 2003. I started a consultancy company which is still ongoing today in 2016. If anyone reding this who remembers me from my informative years in glasgow I would love to hear from them. My email address is enclosed in the dialogue.

    Reply
    1. Nicola McDade

      Hi William, I’m writing on behalf on my mum, now Ray Smith but then known as Ray McLaren. We were just looking through some of these old photos and reminiscing and your name popped up. My mum used to work at your father’s greengrocers when she was about 14. She was born in 1931. She thinks one of your uncles may have been Douglas, possibly. My mum said you used to be a lovely wee boy and you used to say the path she took from Tollcross Road to your Greengrocers was Ray’s Path. She worked there for 2 years. She said she worked with your Grandpa on a Saturday. She loved your mum, and she said you’d often come for your dinner at the shop. She would love to hear from you. I’ve included my email address. Look forward to hearing from you.

      Reply
  16. jean

    This is for James Elliot, my brothers Jimmy , David and John were born at 161 Tollcross road , jimmy in 1938 . I have heard your family name over the years . My mother Agnes and dad Jimmy Currie . My granny lived across the road at 170 . Name Robertson. realy big family around 14 of them lol, were well known. Hope to hear back

    Reply
  17. Rosemarie Connelly

    Amazing pics and history, I was born in 1957 at the Shettleston end of Wellshot Road, and Tollcross Park was a very big part of my life as a child. I love the history of the East end of Glasgow and although it was a bit rough sometimes, I embraced and I am thankful for my upbringing there, it helped to make me the strong and humourous woman I am today. I moved to Stirlingshire in the late 80s but I now have a Group on Facebook, ‘Good Old Shettleston Town and Surrounding Areas’ it has nearly 400 members and we all have a wonderful time reminiscing, some great photos there too ! I am going to copy and paste the link to this website, as we are speaking about Tollcross Park at the moment.

    Reply
  18. mick healy

    tollcross was a place of wonder as i grew up born in 1962 at the age of five toll x park was filled with misteries ,the museam was filled with stuffed exzotic animals .and the beauty met u on entry.in its glass case.Who killed cock robbin.there he was a little robbin with a arrow threw his chest and sharing the same case . was the biggest eagle i ever saw looking at little robbin asking all who looked. who killed cock robbin. For years gone buy. im now 52.and wonder who did kill cock robbin.and what ever came of him.as that museum was filled with pricelise wonders and jewal to all who visited the museum.to my shock. and orr my father in law tam travaled from england to visit toll x park as i and he and many more have memories of sheer delight and laughter and to hear my father in law.who obviously lived in england over years say he wanted to find cock robbin and many times i walked and still do in the park without ever knowing who killed cock robbin and asked my self what became of the wonders and my little freind c r . To my shock my father in law visited tollx park and found cock robbin still preserved in time in his little glass cage with a little story. who killed cock robbin .a story we have all heard.and tam found him in the visiters center preserved in time and to my shame and wonder i visited little cock robbin and wonder do we forget if only we see . the wonders and history in every step we take that tollx and shettleston and parckhead have or have we lost as i had little cock robbin and surely a delight to refind either cock robbin or a freind or ask is it to much to ask of a fellow glasweigian when was the last time u to told someone close u appreciate or get in there . u love them.a mum. a dad .a brother .a sister. ur wife .just in the steps we take how easy is that .u decide. lets not forget the wonders of people and the history. we make it and, the commonwelth games are almost here and in there numbers from lands far away they will demand to see wee cock robbin and take from glasgow a we gem to be found in tollx park. and hopefully a gold medal or two and fond memories and glasgow isnt for givn up its cock robbin and if u didnt kno the germon bombers were told do not bomb tollx cock robbin as that we guy robbin is sung in lulibies a true story. so if u want a mission. go say hellow.take the steps you need to take to get were u want to be. a glaswegian.

    Reply
        1. James

          Hi Jennifer I used to go this cafe we called it the tallis I lived around the corner on dallness st from 1960 till 1967 loved the ice cream

          Reply
  19. Maria Nichols

    I was born in 309 Tollcross Road in 1937 and I can remember my Dad taking me to Tollcross Park frequently. My Dad, coming from an Italian family, but born in Scotland, was not allowed to join the army but was in the National Fire Service and drove Fire Engines during the war. My Dad had a café at Parkhead – can’t remember exactly where though. Some of the photos on this website are lovely, didn’t realize how nice Tollcross looked. Thanks for the memories.

    Reply
    1. james elliott

      I was born at 157 Tollcross Road in 1937 .went to your dads café there were two one on same side as the picture plalace and the other one was on the other side next to the snooker hall near burgher street. many good memories.

      Reply
    2. David Kilgour

      Hi Maria and James, as a teenager (1950ish) I frequented the snooker hall and the adjacent café across from the 3Ps.. At that time owner was Tony Franchitti and I think he had two daughters who worked in the café. Tony was also a keen snooker player.

      Reply
      1. Jen

        Hi I grew up in Wellshot road at the shettleston end looking on to the side of a church. At the foot of our close was a cafe owned by Victor Franchitti. Is he related to your afore mentioned Tony Franchitti? He had a sister named Esther who also worked there…..white haired,well groomed but stearn looking.
        They were of course Italian and he used to store and possibly make the ice cream in an old brick washouse building round our backcourt. This was around 1959/62. Lovely walking down memory lane with you.

        Reply
        1. David Kilgour

          Hi Jen, I don’t know if Tony and Victor were related, although it seems likely. Some additional information, Tony’s daughter, Guistina, married Nicholas Coia who passed away last year.

          Reply
  20. Douglas Gray

    We, my family and me lived in Muakinfauld rd from 1957-1969 room and kitchen, outside shared facilities (toilet only) fanastic neighbours opposite and up the close, Family’s and mother and daughters, spinsters(horrible word) Daughters and Fathers.

    we were opposite the cottages Mrs Reid at No71 eventually took in lodgers ,but they were our experiments prior to Tollcross park (they had hedges and bushes which as you grew required jumping into . I started school at quarrybrae in 1961 and we celebrated school competitions up Tolly park throughout my primary years. as you would expect the sun always shone for the event always well attended by the Mothers as was the social figure head for such events.
    Anyway from early 60’departure to modern living we journeyed , explored every part of TX park, from a young age to an even younger time exploring shettleston swimmers to the burn with wee fishes to stick in a jar. we then got frightened on a family trip to sandyhills pit when we lizards were in abundance. It is difficult for me to say am I Parkhead as was my Dad with his very extensive family, or are we Denistoun where his Matriacal branch were dominant, or my mum and her Mcclaren, muir, Anderson and above all The Rafferty’s Name and back ground , we like the big spreading OAK tree situated right in the middle from Maukinfauld to the drinkink well at the bottom of the hill, opposite Rheindeer park flats. We climbed it ,you can’t . A wee glesga toerag trying to do his best in the face of adversity. TX4E

    Reply
  21. John Conn

    In the late 1940’s, we youngsters used to walk once in a while from Newlands Primary School all the way to the Tollcross Museum to view the exhibits. For some reason, never explained, we were also shown grainy B&W films of nubile Africans, mostly young women, leaping around and displaying their naked physical charms with great abandon. Whether it was intended as a lesson in the birds and the bees or was simply someone’s dubious aberration, we will probably never know. It certainly impressed us older boys. Does anyone else remember these strange occasions?

    Reply
  22. Eleanor Doris

    When I was a child my uncle was caretaker of Tollcross Museum. The family lived above the museum. When we went to visit I found the building really scary. This was not helped by cousins (all boys) and my brothers scaring the life out of me.

    Reply
  23. norman mcnamee

    My photo looks a sad sight, compared to the one of the church, while it was in use
    Thats the first time I have seen on of the church, other than mine

    Reply

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