Edit Dennistoun's past
Although predominantly tenements, the Victorian villas, Terraces and gardens to the west (towards the city centre) illustrate Alexander Dennistoun's original plan for the whole area which covered 200 acres.
Unable to attract the middle-class residents intended by its original developers, it established itself as a respectable working class area for families.
After the Second World War, the area's Victorian tenements were refurbished and extended rather than replaced with high-rise modernist blocks as in other working-class districts such as neighbouring Calton and Parkhead, and this, coupled with proximity to the city centre and Strathclyde and Caledonian universities, has contributed to its gentrification in recent years; many of its residents are now students and young professionals.
It has a large Victorian park, Alexandra Park, which took its name from Princess Alexandra of Denmark, the wife of the future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom, who officially opened the Park in 1870.
The park was established in 1866 when the City Improvement Trustees purchased Alexandra Park from Mr Walter Stewart of Haghill under special powers conferred upon them by legislation. Mr Alexander Dennistoun, the proprietor of the adjoining estate of Golfhill, gifted five acres of land to the City Improvement Trustees.
This ground was situated near the south-west corner adjacent to Alexandra Parade, which now forms the principal pedestrian entrance.
The park is home to a 40 foot cast-iron Walter MacFarlane Saracen Fountain which was gifted to the City after the 1901 International Exhibition and remained in Kelvingrove Park for 12 years after the exhibition. In 1914 Glasgow Corporation took the decision to re-site this magnificent piece of industrial architecture to its present location. The fountain was restored to its former glory in 2000.
Dennistoun also has one of Glasgow's original Carnegie libraries, designed in the Edwardian Baroque style by James Robert Rhind.
WASPS artists' studios, a charity providing affordable studio space to support up to 750 artists is located on Hanson Street.
It is wrong to suggest that the layout of Dennistoun was all the work of the Glasgow Corporation. In those days the Corporation did not stretch out its deadening hand over enterprise and development he way it does now. It was Alexander Dennistoun himself who proposed a series of handsome villas and elegant squares and gardens which, had they been built, would have been at the very least the equal of the Dowanhills and Kelvinsides of the West. You are however right to say that he had to change his plans because he picked the wrong moment - just when the city had embarked on its remarkably speedy developments along the Great Western Road and all the smart money was moving west, away from the fumes and stench of the working east end. Even so, many of the apartments in the tenements in the Drives, which he eventually built instead of the villas, had - and in many cases still have - the same level of internal decoration, elaborate wally closes, decorative plasterwork etc etc that you will find in Hyndland and Hillhead.
Dog Jobbies. They are everywhere. What can be done about them? I love Dennistoun, but I don't like tollys/excrement/no. 2's/Liquid Stools or whatever. I think it was Lenin that said 'What Can be Done?!'
Can someone tell me the name of the Ice/Cream shop on Duke street i think it starts with a C,
"anne calman says: Can someone tell me the name of the Ice/Cream shop on Duke street i think it starts with a C,"
Coia's Cafe.
Thanks a lot Jim I couldn't for the life of me remember the name, I was there last Sept and had a Pokky hat with the Rasberry on top, thanks from Toronto.
I agree with Allan - I've just moved to Dennistoun and the only thing I don't like about it is the dog mess. The council are starting a campaign to try and get people to pick the damn stuff up but in the meantime here is the link to the page on the site where you can report repeat offences: http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/CleanGlasgow/ReportIt/
Does anyone remember Jeans Cafe on Whitevale Street owned by Jean Smith? I'm her niece. Catherine Jean (smith) Offord, Kingston, Ont., Canada.
my mother and father lived in dennistoun till they emigrated in 1948 to canada, i havent been back for a holiday since 1969, i would love to come back someday, im recovering from breast cancer, i was born in dennistoun i remember a lot of the district although i was only 4 when i left. we lived on bluevale street, my granny smithy lived across the street.
Catherine Offord again. I just wanted to say I have lost touch with cousins in Glasgow, and I wanted to let them know that I'm recovering from breast cancer, and that I don't know if anyone in their families have gone through it.
My mother has a sister Katie Dow and she had a daughter Catherine Dow, so I would like to inform her of this.
Katie Dow passed away a few years ago, not from breast cancer.
I also have Smith cousins, but I have no idea where they would be.
I remember being told by my mother that my father's dad drove "either the last horse-drawn or first electric tram". He stayed in Rowchester Street and there apparently was a tram depot there. My dad went to Rowchester Street School. There is a small photo of his football team included in the Maryhill site. He was about 11 years of age at that time. Can anyone enlighten me here?
Catherine sorry to hear you had breast cancer,hope your feeling better, If you havent been back to Glasgow since the 60s you will get a shock .just the ammount of traffic alone,they have highways now [motorways]but for all the changes its still home to me,, Ive been in Toronto for 43yrs but get home every other yr,,
hello anne thanks for respomding, im on a cancer drug at present that i have to be on for 5 years, but so far ive been well, i have checkups every 6 months, my husband and i were both diagnosed with cnacer at the same time, neither on of us smoked, we went through chemo together i had radiotion and a mastectomy, he passed away 3 years ago, friom pancreatric cancer, i looked after him during his illnes, and niow i find myself with too much time on my hands, so ive started to sdo volunteer work at at a nursing home, also at one of our hosopitals, so im busy for 2 days a week. i would llike to someday go back to see glasgow, but i think it will be awhile for me to do that.
Catherine Offord again, I just went to a concert in Cobourg Ontario, it was the Alexander Brothers. I thoroughly enjoyed it. They are on tour over here. It wasn't very well advertised in my area, of Kingston, Ontario. My sister in law happened to see an ad in the paper when she was travelling through Cobourg, so that's how we found out,
We used to stay in Marwick Street across from Haghill School in the sixties. Went back recently to see the old place and was greatly saddened to see it boarded up and run down. Our old home looked a bit sad too.
From Albert Smith to Catherine Offord Smith .
My uncles Louie and Joe emigrated to Kingston Ontario in 1948.
My aunt Jean had a cafe in Whitevale St opposite Whitevale baths.
My uncle Tony lived in Ruchazie, had a daughter named Alexis.
I lived in Bluevale St at one time.
I think I must be one of your cousins in Scotland.
Sorry to here you have had cancer, pleased you are recovering hope it continues.
Albert Smith says to Catherine Offord{Smith}
Sorry to here about your illness hope your recovery continues.
My uncles Louie and Joe emigrated to Kingston Ontario.
Iwas named after my uncle Albert, my dad's name was Tommy.
I had an uncle Tony who lived in Ruchazie.
He had two daughters, one was called Alexis.
I think I am one of your Glasgow cousins
Hi Catherine Offord Smith my father Albert Smith would like to get in touch. You can Contact me via facebook Neil G Smith.
I'm John Donaldson
Living in Auckland New Zealand.
Left Glasgow when 10. Moved by welfare to Aberdeen.
I was known as John Atkinson and was at Alexandra Parade School.
In Life Boys at the church down the road from school which from Google Maps looks like converted to flats.
Glasgow looks like its been ripped open and re-stiched with motorways.
I viisted 8 years ago and like a previous could not beleive the dog "poo".
Never seen anything so disgusting as well as stepping off a bus and being warned by the clippie, mind the dog "s..te".
And then to see a dog owner watching his own dog drop its stuff in the middle of the pavement. " I dont my dag runover ?" was what I got when I asked why not move dog into gutter?".
Lived at 10 Culloden Street, found out council dropped end of two corner tenaments and put in two semi detached?.
So no Number 10 for me to cick the bricks.
Anyone from Culloden Street? or the primary school? johnndnz@xtra.co.nz
Jules Neil says..
Does anyone know James McShane, been trying to find him.
My Gran was from Dennistoun and I think she was born on Queen Mary Street and also lived at Glenpark Street I think that was the name? Her name then was Georgina (Ina) Cosgrove and she had 9 brothers and sisters in total. From what I remember there were 5 brothers John, Bobby, Alec, Willie and not sure of the other one and the sisters were Lizzie, Jean (who died in her twenties and who left two girls Betty and Jean Rankin) Isobel (Isa) and Annie. Her Father was called John Cosgrove and her Mother Elizabeth Little. I know some of the cousins emigrated to New Zealand but would love to hear from anyone who may be related. I live in Nottinghamshire and My Gran who died last year married and moved to Muirkirk in Ayrshire and her married name was Cannon.
Hi Suzanne, do you have any old pictures of Glenpark Street? My great grandmother and great grandfather, Margaret and Adam Hutchison Morgan, stayed at 9 Glenpark Street, Dennistoun.
Also, I don't know if anybody remembers Blacks fruit shop where my gran Jenny Morgan lived? Would be grateful for any help, thank you. My e-mail address is alison.morgan@gjnh.scot.nhs.uk
Had a crush on Margaret Coyle from Aitken Street when at St Rochs school in 1955s. Her friend was called Ellen Donnely.
Hi I was wondering if anyone would have old pictures from the Dennistoun schools, I am trying to find a pic of my grandfather he should have been in High school somewhere is the district in 1930-35 His name, William McEwen. If anyone has any or knows where I could lay my hands on some copies email please helenh2o@iprimus.com.au
Joanne Downs is seaching for information regarding a primary school for children from Roebank Street Dennistoun around 1930. If you have any information it would be appreciated. Please email: jdowns@hotmail.co.uk Thank you.
Hi all, desparately searching for old pictures of Glenpark Street? My great grandmother and great grandfather, Margaret and Adam Hutchison Morgan, stayed at 9 Glenpark Street, Dennistoun. Does anyone remember the Morgans from Dennistoun/ duke street/ glenpark street? Also, I don't know if anybody remembers Blacks fruit shop where my gran Jenny Morgan lived? Would be grateful for any help, thank you. My e-mail address is alison.morgan@gjnh.scot.nhs.uk if anyone has ols photos or information :)
Hi John Donaldson...I lived in Low Coventry Drive in the 40s and early 50s. I dont know the era you lived in Dennisdtoun but if its around the time above I can give you a list of names that will have you wallowing in nostalgia until the last drop of New Zealand red. I also have a batch of photographs taken in the late seventies of Culloden Street, Staffa Lane, Coventry Drive, Harcourt Drive and Roebank Street as it was before the corporation decided to ethnically cleanse it and drive a thriving community to all parts of schemeland. My e mail address is joe90bem@hotmail.com also on Facebook as joe mc ivor and on the photographic site Flickr as Sir Wilton Shagpile, B.M.K. Dont hesitate to get in touch Joe
Hi Joanne. I dont have any pics of schools in the area although in my days 40s and 50s the local primary school was Alexandra Parade. Late developers went to Dennistoun Private at the bottom of Meadowpark Street and there was a school for the mentally and physically chalenged at Kennyhill on Cumbernauld Road just past aiken street. If you would like me to e mail Harcourt Drive photies or Roebank Street, contact me at joe90bem@hotmail.com
Roebank Street Dennistoun.
I was born at 44 Glenpark Street name Elizabeth Brewster, my mother's maiden name was Ina Malcolm....
I remember Glenpark Street very well, anyone who knows of either of my parents I would love to hear from...
I was born 1947 sisters Fay and Mary
I was born at 44 Glenpark Street name Elizabeth Brewster, my mother's maiden name was Ina Malcolm.
I remember Glenpark Street very well, anyone who knows of either of my parents I would love to hear from them...I was born 1947 sisters Fay and Mary
Hi from New Zealand
Anyone remember three kids from No 10 Culloden street in the 50's?
Ground floor right hand side, bottom of stairs. Names John , Michael, and Ian. Were known as Atkinson. Foster parents were Gwendoline and John Atkinson.
John Atkinson was railway worker on the trains.
She took off to Canada with her boy Ian. Oct 1956. We all went to Alexandra Parade Primary School.Armadale Street, Glasgow
I was raised in Duke Street just opposite the Tennents Brewery. We are Italian. My parents had a chip shop at 158 Duke Street ()below our flat) . It was called Frank's and my dad's fish & chips were the best. We left when i was 19 in 1971 when the whole place was demolished
i lived at 34 glenpark sisters were harriet and margaret parents were peter and marion remember the name boyle i think the ice cream shop was called coias i went to thompson st school
I am trying to locate David Brackenridge on behalf of a family friend Jimmy Burrows who was friends with David when they were younger. David's mother owned a fruit shop at 910 Duke St. in the 1950s-1960s. David married an Ella Watson from Castlemilk, Glasgow, in 1961. He may have immigrated to Australia but not sure. Can anyone help?
Does anyone know of a photographer who used to be on Duke Street in or around 1947?
Is there a list of the provosts of Dennistoun? I am particularly interested in the name William Burns Wallace. The time would be just after the turn of the century 1900-1912 Allan Davies in South Africa
Does anyone remember a John Lindsay who lived on Brandon St about 1962 please.My email addy is jon_mills_21@hotmail.com Thank you.
My name is Lilias Fraser Brown i live in fife.Ijust would like to ask if anyone remembers my grandfather Lachlin Fotheringham he lived in Dunchattan St. he had brothers Robert ,John and Allan. My grandfather died in 19 55 he was 56.
Hey all still looking for some pictures of my grandfather William Mcewen he lived in Duke Street with his folks and two siblings.. any information would be fantastic..photo's would be wonderful... email helenh20@skymesh.com.au thanks
Hi all Just read Dennistoun comments and memories flooding back. I was born 7 Whitevale st next door to "Fotheringham".Once a week I was sent to Whitevale baths for clean up and a french loaf from Jeans cafe hollowed out and filled with cold meat,lovely. My favourite haunt was Hamiltons stables in Glenpark St. Corner fruit shop was regular call for something to eat as was small shop next to stables. Pops Cafe in Cumbernauld road.Cafe in Sword St,Thompson St School. Tried to trace old pals unsuccesfully. Some names= Tommy Smart (Sidgy) and brother. Frank Kerr,Sammy Rogers,Sydney Kingsbury, Jimmy Ewing and family 440 Duke St,Jackie Whyte,Joan Sproule and family. My name,Norman Smith (Smiddy) I Lived above Davidson's Undertakers Whitevale St