Ever wondered how Anderston got its name? It wasn’t always the bustling area we see today. Let’s journey back to the early 18th century.
Anderston’s story begins with James Anderson. He owned the Stobcross Estate. In 1720s Anderson sought to make a section of his land productive. He established a village for handloom weavers. He modestly named it Anderson Town after himself. This later evolved into Anderston.
Initially, Anderston was a small community. Weavers lived along Main Street. This is now part of Argyle Street. They utilized bleachfields near the River Clyde. In 1735 John Orr took over ownership of the village.
The Weavers Society of Anderston was established in 1738. It helped regulate and expand their trade. Finnieston weavers were later allowed to join in 1774. Finnieston was a nearby village.
Anderston transformed from a weavers’ village into an industrial hub. Glasgow’s cotton industry grew. Other industries like glassmaking and pottery also thrived. By 1794, Anderston’s population reached around 3900.
The Delftfield Pottery started in 1748. The Anderston Brewery began in the 1760s. Verreville Glassworks opened in 1776. The Anderston Relief Church was erected in 1770. It was the area’s first church.
In the early 19th century, Henry Houldsworth built a steam-powered mill on Cheapside Street. Anderston was made a Burgh of Barony in 1824. Its population then stood around 10000. Henry Houldsworth became Anderston’s first Provost. The Burgh motto was “Alter Alterius Auxilio Veget”. This translates to “the one flourishes by the help of the other”.
However, Anderston’s independence was short-lived. In 1846, it was incorporated into the City of Glasgow.
Throughout the 19th century, Anderston continued to grow. New industries developed. Shipbuilding, iron-founding, and tool manufacturing emerged. Its proximity to the River Clyde docks proved ideal. Whisky bonds, grain stores, and timber yards were established. Thomas Lipton opened his first shop in Stobcross Street in 1871.
The population of Anderston included many Irish immigrants. By 1831, about a quarter of Anderston’s population was Irish. Tenement buildings were constructed to meet the demand for working-class housing.
In the 1960s, Anderston underwent significant redevelopment. Much of the area was demolished to make way for the M8 motorway and the Kingston Bridge. Anderston Cross was replaced by the Anderston Centre.
There were two major fires in Anderston in the 1960s. The first was on Cheapside Street in March 1960. A whisky bond caught fire and exploded. The second fire occurred in November 1968. It was in a factory on James Watt Street.
By the 21st century, Anderston began to see improvements. New office developments, hotels, and residential buildings appeared. The Anderston Centre tower blocks were refurbished.
Today Anderston stands as a testament to Glasgow’s ever-changing landscape. It evolved from a small weaving village to a vital part of the city. Anderston’s story reflects Glasgow’s industrial past and its modern ambitions.