Whilst researching a story about the early Labour Party movement in 1894, I was recently puzzled to read that they met at “Blakely’s Cross”, High Blantyre. I haven’t heard that term before, Blakely’s Cross.
Looking at the 1898 map though, it is easy to see why that name would apply. At that time, in the same year as Arthur Blakely building the current pub and hall, the junction of Main Street and Broompark Road was indeed a crossroads! I’ve marked up the map to show how this name likely came about.
I’m not sure how often that name was used, or even for how long. It may have been a short lived nickname for the area in that era only, given Mr Blackley’s dominance in building an imposing new building there.
Very early in the 20th Century, however the 4th road leading south disappeared with the demolition of Forrest Place and of course Broompark Road became a T junction at Main Street as we all know it today.
