“Saracen Foundry, Walter MacFarlane & Co.” Does the name ring a bell? Possilpark owes its existence to this industrial giant. Let’s delve into the story of Possilpark.
Possilpark began as a country estate. It transformed into a thriving industrial district. This transformation happened thanks to Walter MacFarlane’s Saracen Foundry. MacFarlane purchased 100 acres of land in the mid-1860s. His goal was to expand his ironworks. He named the area Possilpark.
Before MacFarlane’s arrival, around 1870, Possilpark was just a mansion house and farm. Sheriff Alison resided there until his death in 1867. The gates of the house stood where Saracen Cross is today.
MacFarlane’s foundry attracted other industries. Possilpark became part of Glasgow in 1891. The population exploded from 10 in 1872 to 10,000 by 1891. MacFarlane reshaped the landscape. He removed woodlands. He laid out streets in a grid plan. The main street became Saracen Street.
The Glasgow Town Council praised Possilpark’s layout. They called it one of the finest in Glasgow. The new suburb was an important addition to the city. The Saracen Foundry produced decorative ironwork. They created railings, fountains, and bandstands. These items were exported across the British Empire. You can still find examples today. A reproduction stands at Saracen Cross.
After World War II, the foundry declined. The British Empire collapsed. Steam power faded. New materials emerged. Orders for cast iron designs decreased. The MacFarlane company shifted to standard foundry work. They even cast Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s K6 telephone box. A takeover in 1965 led to the foundry’s closure in 1967. The site is now occupied by commercial firms.
During the inter-war years, Possilpark saw intense housing development. The Housing Act of 1919 empowered local authorities to build homes. Before 1914, only 290 local authority houses existed. By 1930, 584 more were completed or in progress. Around 2,000 houses were constructed in twenty years. Residents from demolished city center tenements moved here.
To serve the growing community, schools and cinemas were built. The Astoria cinema seated 3,000 people. It was the largest working-class cinema in Scotland. Many residents supported Partick Thistle Football Club.
Ironically, new housing coincided with industrial decline. By the 1950s, Possilpark faced urban decay. In recent decades, community groups have emerged. They offer diverse activities like arts, sports, and gardening.
Saracen Street remains a busy shopping area. It boasts over 70 smaller retailers. You’ll find everything from funeral parlors to bakeries. A number of businesses sit off Saracen Street. Allied Vehicles is the largest employer in North Glasgow. See Woo, a large Chinese supermarket, is also nearby.
Possilpark Library stands as a testament to the area’s history. Architect George Simpson designed it. Walter MacFarlane donated the land. Andrew Carnegie provided funds. The library opened in 1913. Inside, four murals painted by Glasgow School of Art students depict Commerce, Poetry, Geography, and Astronomy.
The Saracen Cross Drinking Fountain Canopy is located on Millenium Square. It commemorates Walter MacFarlane’s contributions. The canopy is painted in Glasgow’s colors. It features decorative birds and foliage. It even provides a helpful instruction: “keep the pavement dry.”
Possilpark has faced challenges. However, it also displays resilience. From country estate to industrial hub to a community striving for regeneration, Possilpark’s story continues. It is a story etched in iron, brick, and the spirit of its people.