The Hidden Glasgow Forums

neilmc wrote:

HollowHorn wrote:
Were these the last remnants of the Pollok St. gardens? Middle left. (or were they a tad further west)

This is actually what was left of Weir Street, Hollowhorn; Pollok Street is the next street to the west as you suggested. I think this is simply some sort of central reservation separating the Weir St. remnants from that on-ramp, which itself has gone, replaced by the exit at Harry Ramsdens.

Here's how the area was portrayed in the Geographia street plan from around 1980. The on-ramp between Weir St. and Pollok St. can be clearly seen:-

HollowHorn wrote:Brilliant photo, BH, I'm gobsmacked!

]

Yes, nice one BH. If the postcard dates from 1907 then the Kingston Halls & Public Library would have been brand new as it was finished in 1905.

Schiehallion wrote:

HollowHorn wrote:I had already rejected this photo from the VM as a mistaken location, but whilst looking through Andrew J. McMahon’s book, ’A History of Kinning Park & District’ I discovered that according to him, the middle section of Pollok St. did not have gardens / islands. He has it captioned as:
“Pollok St. looking North”
I struggle to see it and I can’t explain the bridge at the top of the street , most confusing.
Looking back at the aerial photograph above though, it clearly shows each of the three sections had their own gardens.

Is McMahon's book in the Mitchell HH? Whether it is or isn't, I'd say it's a case of a mistake being compounded between VM and the book. I'd say there is no way that is Pollok St in the photo. I reckon someone has got confused by the similar types of tenement with the portico-style entrances. I'd assume these are Alexander Thomson's.

I cannot believe a residential street like Pollok St would've had traffic lights in those days. The volume of traffic wouldn't have justified it. It looks more like a stretch of Argyle St or somewhere like that.

The photo really puts me in mind of Abbotsford Place in the Gorbals, possibly at the junction with Bedford St ...looking south?

Hmmmm...The porticos would seem to fit.
Abbotsford Pl:

I think the tenement block with the stonework painted on its lower two storeys is the clincher.

I thought so too, Neil, but wondered if the 'paint' was actually sunshine?

I'd say it's definitely Abbotsford Place and I've just noticed VM has it under 'Abbotsford Place' as well as 'Pollok St'!

The VM know about mistakes - since last year

I reckon it is Cathcart Road.

Moderators, please remove this pish post

HollowHorn wrote:Moderators, please remove this pish post

Pished post get it right...

Regardless of which streets they are....they are excellent photographs of old Glasgow (1950's?). I thought one looked like Abbotsford Place off Bedford St. where My doctor used to be.

You've got a fine forum here and somehow I stumbled upon it. Glad I did. I remember Pollok Street well, even the gardens in the median. I lived there for a few months in the winter of 1971 or 1972. It was pretty grim. The tenements were neglected, the gardens threadbare. I was 20 years old, poor, couldn't find a job for some reason and I remember walking into the town center because I did not want to spend money on a bus. Eventually I went back to London and when I came to Glasgow several years later, Pollok Street was gone and Glasgow no longer seemed so forbidding as it did the early seventies.
Thanks for the pictures.

Thanks for the input.

Hi,
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,
I have been looking for references to Ardgowan street, and have finally found your website, fantastic is all I can say, ELLEN & WILLIAM JOHNSTONE my great grandmother & father lived 87 Ardgowan street, when they got married in 1907,they had 4 possibly 5 children, William was killed in a motorbike accident, the remaining went to canada around 1927 I think, if anyone out there has any information or family ties to

ELLEN & WILLIAM JOHNSTONE OR
Annie, Mary Jane, William & Robert Johnstone possibly Nellie(deceased)
ROBERT & MARYJANE MORGAN (MAIDEN NAME BRADFORD), OR
ANNIE & WILLIAM JOHNSTONE (MAIDEN NAME TURKINGTON) OR
ELLEN & SAMUEL MCCRUM

Does anyone know the history of 21 Abbotsford Place, they were listed as being married there, was this like a registry office or something?

I would be so grateful if you got in touch as have hit a brick wall so to speak.

Well done HH on your brilliant research and fab pictures

regards arly