In April 1892, surveyors began measuring for a new road in Blantyre, named New Station Road, to connect Blantyre Station to Glasgow Road. This road, aimed at easing pedestrian travel in a growing area, was renamed John Street following John Clark Forrest’s death in 1893. It appeared on the 1899 map.
John Street, originally a rough track called ‘Brickfield Road’ near Stonefield Brickworks, was established in November 1892 to connect Glasgow Road to the railway station. Its development addressed local complaints about accessibility. In the early 20th Century, it was renamed John Street in honor of Colonel John Clark Forrest after his death.
In February 1893, local workers were digging on New Station Road in Blantyre, upgrading it as a shortcut for miners. Labourer Paul MacPherson was injured when an embankment collapsed on him. He sustained serious injuries, including a broken leg, and was transported to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for treatment.
This is the railway bridge crossing over the end of the road at John Street, Blantyre. Pictured fairly recently, this location reminded me on a peculiar incident which happened in 1901, some 122 years ago. About 10 o clock in the evening on Saturday 7th September 1901, a miner named Edward Cornfield (40) met with […]
A brand new public slaughterhouse was opened in Blantyre on Monday 16th September 1907. Commissioned by the Middle Ward of Lanark County Council the premises which were situated at the bottom of John Street was located on the right hand side just before you went under the railway bridge. The location of the public slaughterhouse […]
Today’s photos, although a little colour faded are from 1981. Almost 40 years ago, the junctions of Forrest Street and John Street are photographed as part of the evolving, changing scene that year in Glasgow Road, Blantyre. A yellow van approaches the junction of Forrest Street, the caravan now sitting where Andy’s Tyres now is. […]
Owner of Scottish Brick History website (www.scottishbrickhistory.co.uk) Mark Cranston recently sent me this photo of R McAlpine brick , made at Stonefield, Blantyre. Stonefield Brickfield was established and located at the North East end of John Street in 1841 (then just a track without name). We have a wonderful description preserved in the 1859 valuation […]