A History of Glasgow

Celtic druids were the first identifiable religious tribes to live in this region.
The area of Cathures being the earlier name for Glasgow.

In 80AD approx the Romans had a trading post in this area.

380 AD St Ninian passed through Cathures and consecrated a burial ground.
St Kentigern arrives in Glasgow in the 6th century and settles in Glasgow in 543 AD.
Glasgow or “Glas Cu” understood to mean “dear green place”.

However, there is a school of thought that suggests Glasgow means “The place of the Grey rock” being the Fir Park, now known as the Necropolis.

St Kentigern established a church on the banks of the Molendinar burn a tributary of the Clyde. Where Glasgow Cathedral now stands.

Such was his popularity that his community called him Mungo meaning “dear one”.

The belief is the St Mungo performed four miracles in Glasgow commemorated on the Glasgow coat of arms.

St Mungo Dies 603AD.

1136 AD the church was replaced by a Cathedral.
1172 AD Cathedral burned down.
1175 AD Bishop Jocelyn granted a Charter by King William for a Barony.
This meant that the town could hold markets and trade. Equally they would have to pay revenues to the crown.
1190 approx Bishop’s granted the right to hold an annual fair.
1238 AD Work begins on a new Cathedral.
1246 Dominican Friars were granted property.
1285 approx a wooden bridge across the river.
1350 Hospital for Lepers established south of the Clyde.

1410 The wooden bridge across the Clyde replaced by a stone one.
1450 James II issued a chapter to the Bishop “erecting all his patrimony into a regality”.+
1451 Glasgow University founded by Bishop Turnbull.
1460 Grammar School.
1471 Provand’s Lordship the oldest house in Glasgow built.
1491 The Bishop was granted the right to operate a public set of scales for weighing produce.
1492 Glasgow given an Archbishop.
1501 Earliest mention of Glasgow town Council.
1525 The Tron church founded on Trongate.
1601 The first Quay built at Broomielaw.
1611 Glasgow finally became a Royal burgh.
1638 First “Manufactorie” for woollens appeared. This was the beginning of a revolution in terms of trade and the growth of factories.
1646 The plague visits Glasgow.
1650 Oliver Cromwell visits Glasgow and stays at Silvercraigs house in the Salt market.
1652 A serious fire in the  city.
1670 population approx 14,000.
1690 Glasgow town council finally got the right to elect the burgh’s Provost and Bailies. Prior to this the right had been exercised by the church.

1715 The first newspaper.
1752 Pollok House was built.
1753 Virginia Street built.
1775 The Royal Exchange was built.
1787 St Georges Square built.
1770 population 60,000 approx.
1770 John Golborne developed a way to move the silt layers on the shallow river Clyde, so that by 1772 large vessels were navigated up to the town for the first time.
James Watt helped with the process which encompassed 19 miles of the Clyde.
1772 The import of Tobacco had risen to 40 million lbs this made Glasgow the prime port for the import of Tobacco from the America’s in Europe.
However, the American’s declared independence in 1776 and the Tobacco trade struggled.
1783 Glasgow Chamber of Commerce established.
1786 Clyde Iron works at Tollcross developed.
1787 Muslin weavers rioted 3 weavers shot. The riot was about cuts in wages.
1788 The first Police Force in the City.
1792 Foundation of the Society of the Friends of the people.
1792 The castle was demolished.

1807 The Hunterian Museum opened.
1817 The botanical Gardens opened.
1817 St Andrews Roman Catholic Cathedral built.
1821 The Lancefield works was opened on the banks of the Clyde.
1831 Garnkirk and Glasgow railway opened.
1832 Cholera outbreak 660 deaths.
1833 The Necropolis cemetery was laid out.
1840 Custom House built.
1842 Glasgow to Edinburgh railway link completed.
1842 Queen station built.
1845 First Horse drawn buses working in the City.
1846 Glasgow Academy was formed.
1849 Cholera outbreak 3,777 deaths.
1859 Opening of a municipal water scheme from Loch Katrine.
1866 City improvement Act. This Act allowed a programme of slum clearance.
1878 The collapse of the City of Glasgow Bank.
1879 Central Station built.
1888 Great Exhibition. Held in Kelvingrove Park.
1893 The first Electricity generating Station built.
1896 Glasgow under ground developed.

1901 Great Exhibition.  Held in Kelvingrove Park.
1904 Kings Theatre built.
1906 The cities first Labour MP.
During the first World War over 200,000 men joined the armed forces from Glasgow.
1919 The development of a housing department for Glasgow.
1923 The Radio effectively came to Glasgow.
1931 The Finnieston Crane erected.
1938 The Empire Exhibition.
1953 Skyscrapers of Moss Heights built and opened.
1962 The last Trams run in the City.
1965 A road tunnel under the Clyde was built.
1967 Launching of the Queen Elizabeth II
1970 Glasgow Central Mosque built.
1971 Ibrox disaster.
1975 800th Anniversary of first Charter.
1975 Glasgow District Council comes into being.
1985 Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre built.
1988 Garden Festival held in the City.
1990 Royal Concert Hall opened.
1996 The Gallery of Modern Art opened.
1996 Glasgow City Council assumes responsibility for Local Government.
1999 Buchanan Galleries Shopping Centre opened.
1999 Clyde Maritime Centre opened.
Population 612,000 approx.

With the best of intention all of the above information is true, correct and given in good faith, however, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the above.

Equally we recommend that should you need or want to find out more you should conduct more detailed independant research.