Whispers of a bygone era linger here in Carnwadric. It is a residential area in Glasgow. Let’s delve into its story.
Carnwadric was once a farm. Sir John Maxwell owned it. It was one of his seven large holdings. The farm was originally called Carnwatherick.
Pollokshaws and Thornliebank are nearby. These villages grew because of the textile industry. Cloth manufacturing and printing were the main jobs. Irish linen workers came to work here. Dutch workers specialized in beetling. Beetling is a form of transfer printing.
Building in Carnwadric began in 1927. The estate opened in 1932. The houses are older than later social housing. They are mostly brick and masonry.
Crebar Street has two and three-story housing. These were built in the 1970s. Hopeman Street and Carnwardric Road also have these houses.
A temporary timber school once stood on Crebar Street. Pupils called it The Widden Schuil. It served children from 1932 until 1939. Carnwadric Public School then opened.
Carnwadric Church opened in 1952. Today, Carnwadric has St. Vincent’s Primary. This is a Roman Catholic school. It was remodeled after merging with Arden’s St Louise’s Primary.
Carnwadric Primary closed. It merged with Arden Primary. A new school called Ashpark Primary School was built. It is in Arden. New housing will be built on the old Carnwadric Primary site. The old school’s walls will be kept.
Carnwadric boasts King George V Park. Princess Elizabeth opened it in 1951. She later became Queen Elizabeth II. Part of the park was sold for housing access. This was for the Regent’s Park development.
The local retail area needs work. It needs investment to return to its former state. Shops and amenities are in Thornliebank. A retail park is a short drive away at Darnley.
Brian Limond grew up in Carnwadric. He is a comedian. He attended Carnwadric Primary School. Bobby Wellins was also a resident. He was a tenor saxophonist.
Carnwadric’s story is one of change. From farms to factories. From old schools to new housing. It reflects Glasgow’s growth. It also shows the evolution of communities. The spirit of Carnwadric endures. It adapts with each passing year.