Pictured here in Winter 1980, is Dixon’s Explosives Magazine (store). This is where Dixon’s Colliery owners kept their gunpowder and explosives. I’ve posted previously about it, but recently, the 1895 valuation roll, caused a rethink about this building.
In the census it is shown as owned by “FC Dickson & Co” which set me thinking, have people, including myself got this wrong? i.e Not Dixons but Dicksons, an entirely different company.
The answer lay in further investigation into “FC Dickson & Co”. This business formed in 1863 in England, and in 1864 a branch of the family set up business under a slightly different name abroad, importing and exporting gunpowder, leaving FC Dickson to trade their own gunpowder within the UK. Between 1867 and 1914, there are many reports of their stores blowing up, sometimes due to lightning strikes. With such a dangerous business, this isn’t surprising, but sadly no reports or connections at all to Blantyre area.
It would appear this small magazine store at Auchentibber dates from 1893.
Shona Glaister Does it still exist?
The Blantyre Project Yes Shona. This little building sits in a dip in the field heading up Sydes Brae on the right hand side, just beyond the Crematorum (opposite side). Its hard to see as gorse bushes surround it, but it is intact and quite foreboding to approach.
Shona Glaister Ok thanks, will go up for a look
Trisha Mcginty As they say just dump it in Blantyre?
The Blantyre Project The building was situated some distance off from the actual colliery, as you would imagine for safety, but near enough still for dynamite to be fetched from. This is the one that served Dixons in High Blantyre (possibly pits 2 and 3). Another exists at Blantyre Priory colliery in the woods and one at Bardykes/Spittal. All hidden away from sight.
Shona Glaister Where’s the Bardykes one?