Another fantastic photo taken from Auchinraith Bing, this time looking westwards right across Blantyre. The date is 2nd June 1958 and Anthony Smith has shared the photo.
Of course the most prominent feature in this photo isn’t Logan Street in the background or indeed Auchinraith Road or railway, but is actually the light coloured prefab houses behind the children, home to so many families.
Many more prefabs in Auchinraith were also out the picture to the right, behind the Springwells Estate. To the left you can just about see Auchinraith Primary School, and Calder Street in the background. On the far horizon , the imposing bings at Priory and Blantyreferme are visible.
Do you have memories of the Auchinraith Prefabs or indeed anything about this scene?
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Number 53 was split up into 6 homes. In 1930, Colin McCabe was the head of one of the household, presumably your grandfather? he was a miner and his neighbours were Robertsons, Lydens, McCormacks, O Neils and Weir. He was renting the home from Mrs Edith Todd (who owned all 6 homes). He had one of the larger apartments and this was reflected in his rent being higher than the other homes. He paid £15 and 11 shillings per year rent in 1930, which is about £700 in today’s money.