14/4/2008Firms at heart of community are now only memories
THE heavy industries and mills which kept the East End thriving for more than a century are now distant memories for many Glaswegians.
The latest generation of youngsters could be forgiven for thinking that Parkhead Forge was only ever a shopping centre.
In reality Beardmore's of Parkhead was one of the biggest steel works in Europe.
Founded in 1879, it took over shipbuilder Napiers of Camlachie in 1900 and was one of the giants of heavy industry employing 30,000 men in the 1960s. It closed in 1975.
Other major employers included Sir William Arrol's, of Dalmarnock, which opened in 1872 and built structures for bridges across the River Nile in Egypt and as far away as Australia. It employed around 4000, but closed down in 1986.
Carpet manufacturer James Templeton and Co, by Glasgow Green, opened in 1839 and employed 3000 people before closing in 1979.
Lyles of Bridgeton, another carpet factory, opened in 1853 but merged with Stoddard Carpets of Elderslie in late 1970s.
Stewarts and Lloyds of Tollcross, which made pipes, moved to the city centre in the 1950s, while the Clyde Iron Works of Tollcross and Cambuslang, which opened in 1786 and employed 10,000 at its peak,
Mar 3
The latest generation of youngsters could be forgiven for thinking that Parkhead Forge was only ever a shopping centre.
In reality Beardmore's of Parkhead was one of the biggest steel works in Europe.
Founded in 1879, it took over shipbuilder Napiers of Camlachie in 1900 and was one of the giants of heavy industry employing 30,000 men in the 1960s. It closed in 1975.
Other major employers included Sir William Arrol's, of Dalmarnock, which opened in 1872 and built structures for bridges across the River Nile in Egypt and as far away as Australia. It employed around 4000, but closed down in 1986.
Carpet manufacturer James Templeton and Co, by Glasgow Green, opened in 1839 and employed 3000 people before closing in 1979.
Lyles of Bridgeton, another carpet factory, opened in 1853 but merged with Stoddard Carpets of Elderslie in late 1970s.
Stewarts and Lloyds of Tollcross, which made pipes, moved to the city centre in the 1950s, while the Clyde Iron Works of Tollcross and Cambuslang, which opened in 1786 and employed 10,000 at its peak,
Mar 3
Parkhead Forge