This photograph taken from Castle Street shows Glasgow Cathedral, also known as St. Mungo’s Cathedral, and the original Royal Infirmary building, designed by Robert and James Adam. Parts of the Cathedral date back to the 13th century and it is considered to be Glasgow’s oldest building.
The Cathedral and Royal Infirmary beyond are shown to good effect in this fine photograph taken from the southeast in 1907 or earlier. To the right of the Cathedral in the distance is the tower and building of the Royal Asylum for the Blind which was completed in 1881. In 1907, the Adam Royal Infirmary was demolished to make way for the first phase of the present Royal Infirmary shown below. ( Postcard by E. A. Schwerdtfeger & Co., London E.C. )
This photograph shows the Cathedral backed by the new Royal Infirmary, designed by James Miller. When the hospital was opened by King George V in 1914, it was the largest public building in Great Britain. The church just across Castle Street from the Royal Infirmary is the United Free Church.
This Valentine & Sons postcard dating from 1932 shows the impressive facade of the Royal Infirmary main building with the Cathedral to the right. Notice how the Infirmary exterior is progressively darkening from exposure to soot in the air. A tramcar on the white route from Burnside or Netherlee winds its way up Castle Street on the way to Springburn.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
Does anyone know of a Glasgow-based group that meets to share discussions and images of Old Glasgow?
Thanks.
Maria
Hello Maria.. I’m very interested in Glasgow past and I’m on my own forum which is chat and memories with photos…. Urban Glasgow which had good photos and Parkhead History, who does small tours of areas of Glasgow from time to time, get in touch and we can chat..
Donna
Hi,
My dad (same name) lived in the “Ham Close ” in Parkhead. Has anyone heard of it?
Charlie Shreenan
Hi Chris,
I’m looking for information on a resident of the Asylum of the Blind from 1827-1847, namely George Henderson or possibly a James or Ephamous Henderson.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Rachel
Hello,
I’m not sure if this site is in use, but here goes anyway. Does anyone have or know the whereabouts of old photos showing College Street which was further down High Street opposite the entrance to the College of Glasgow? I think it was a very short street going west from High Street. On the north side of the street was where my great-great-great grandfather’s nephew, John Murray, drysalter and oil merchant, had his shop c 1880-1909. John was the provost of Pollockshields in the late 1880s when it was annexed by the City of Glasgow. He then became a councillor and chief magistrate of Glasgow up until about the time of his death c 1909. I would dearly love to find an old photo of College Street. — Montreal, Canada
Hello Cecil,
Thank you for your inquiry and for sharing the fascinating information about John Murray, your great, great, great grandfather’s nephew. To locate College Street I consulted the Godfrey 1913 Edition Ordnance Survey Map that includes the High Street. College Street is indeed short, comprising only two blocks long with a bend in between. It joins the High Street from the West, just south of the major intersection with George Street and Duke Street.
Regarding a photograph, if you conduct an online search for the Adam Tenements, High Street, Glasgow this should bring up a photo of these two fascinating buildings on the High Street and they flank the entrance to College Street. Thus far, I have not been able to locate a photograph featuring the interior of College Street in the period that you specify. I will keep looking.
With best wishes,
Chris