| History of the Glasgow In 1451 Glasgow became a University City. Glasgow University was originally built in the High Street area of the city, but was moved to its present site in Glasgow's West end in 1870.
Glasgow has also been the site of many battles. Bishop's Castle once stood on the site now occupied by Glasgow's Royal Infirmary. Here, in 1300, William Wallace (of "Braveheart" fame) with 300 men defeated an army of 1000 English Knights who had taken possession of the castle under the English Bishop of Durham.
Two centuries later the castle was again the scene of battle when two opposing forces fought for control of the Crown of Scotland then in the possession of the baby, Mary Queen of Scots.
Due to its location on the west of the country, Glasgow was well positioned to send shipping to the West Indies and America.
By the 18th century many merchants had acquired great wealth by importing sugar, rum and tobacco.Thus were born the Tobacco Lords who built fabulous mansions in the city.
  Glasgow's history stretches back almost two thousand years and has been rich and varied.Originally a small salmon-fishing village at a crossing point on the River Clyde, Glasgow has been shaped by Battles, World Wide Trade and Heavy Industry to become a truly International City.
WEMYSS ST 1958 WEMYSS ST 2007 What a blast from my past i have just seen, i was born in 71 wemyss st, then moved to No 66 in the earley 60s, have many great memories of the street, a great childhood,every day was an adventure to me, seen some old pics on the virtual mtchell site of No 66 with my dads scooter outside at the close. the cambridge bar, fusco,s esquire, and sands shops,
george.watson1@ntlworld.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE HISTORY OF GLASGOW
Founded by a Christian missionary (St Mungo), Glasgow became a major religious centre. Mungo's original church was destroyed by the wars which swept the country in the years after his death. Today's Cathedral dates from the 12th Century and has been added to in the years which followed.
Provand's Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow was built over 500 years ago for the Lord of Provan, an official of the Cathedral. The house still welcomes visitors today to view its proud history.
However, life was very different for the city's poor. By the 19th century the influx of people looking for employment spawned the emergence of tenement accommodation. The poorest families were forced to live in "single ends", one roomed homes where the entire family, often including grandparents, would live together. An example is displayed at The People's Palace. Many families had to share common lavatories and wash facilities.
However, the struggle for survival generated a common bond between the tenement dwellers and a great sense of community spirit, kindness and sharing dominated everyday life.
The existence of vast deposits of coal and iron ore in the Glasgow area shaped the next two centuries of Glasgow's history.
With the coming of the Industrial Revolution, aided by technological advances designed by Clydeside inventors such as James Watt, Heavy Industry in the shape of Railway Locomotives and Shipbuilding flourished.  Locomotives were exported throughout the world. "Clyde-Built" became synonymous with quality and reliability. The launch of the three "Queens" - luxury passenger liners - was the pinnacle of Glasgow's shipbuilding achievement. (Many of the original shipping models are on display in the beautiful "Clyde Room" at the Transport Museum) Sadly, the changing pattern of industry means that the Clyde no longer employs the vast throngs of workers in the shipbuilding trades, although there are notable exceptions. The proud "Clyde-Built" traditions are still in evidence among the workforces of BAE Systems (Govan) and BAE Systems (Scotstoun), to name but two of Clydeside's remaining shipbuilding yards.
Over recent years the city has been the focus of International attention.
In 1988 Glasgow's Garden Festival was a spectacular success.
1990 saw the city adorned as the European City of Culture and in 1999 Glasgow hosted the Festival of Architecture and Design .
Today the city beckons tourists from all over the world. Glasgow's art treasures are world renowned and most of the city's museums and art galleries offer free entrance to view their treasures. The city boasts a fine Concert Hall, International Conference Centre, Science Centre, Sports Arena and shops rivalling the best in the land.
IT'S grumpy Glasgow pensioners Jack and Victor as you have never seen them before - back in the 1970s, when a party was a party. | |