Monklands Memories - Airdrie & Coatbridge areas

Glenboig

Situated north of Coatbridge, at the beginning of this century Glenboig was a thriving industrial village was famous for the production of fireclay products. The population of the village increased from only 120 in 1860 to 1,500 in 1890 and nearly all the houses in Glenboig formerly belonged to the Glenboig Union Fireclay Company whose works were said to be the largest of their kind in the world. The reputation of the goods produced at the works was such that medals were awarded from all over the world including awards from Chile, India and Australia.

The village of Glenboig prospered in the mid 19th century with the development of the Glenboig Union Fireclay Company  (read the story) There was an increasing demand for its quality fireclay product from home and abroad. The works were, at one time, believed to be the largest in the world.

If Glenboig's main industry was Fireclay, another important spoke in the industrial revolution was the railways. The Monkland and Kirkintilloch was started in 1824, and opened in 1826, running from, Palacecraig, up through Coatbridge and Gartsherrie, and immediately to the East of the Glenboig village. It has a claim to be Scotland's first actual "railway", putting it among the first few in the world.  

A few years later, in 1831, the Glasgow and Garnkirk line opened, running on the other side of Glenboig, joining the Monkland and Kirkintilloch at Gartsherrie. Interestingly, these were the earlier Scottish lines to use locomotives. Both were built almost exclusively to carry coal but each, however, developed an increasing volume of other freight and of passenger traffic.

The village of Glenboig was not all belching chimneys, fire brick and screeching trains. Its first church was built around the middle of the 1800s. The village's first school was built in 1875-6, with two rooms and places for 177 children. This building had to be abandoned earlier in 1900s due to subsidence, and it has now been replaced.

In 1999 residents got together to discuss the problems affecting their local environment. As a result the Glenboig and North Central Environmental Group was established with the aim of addressing local environmental issues. Glenboig Village Park was created.

Glenboig Village park

Glenboig around 1955 - Click for bigger image

The Garnqueen - the Wee Shop

Glenboig Post office

Workers at Hurll brickworks

Workers at Star brickworks

St Josephs Boys Guild  c1947??
Do YOU know anyone in these photos??

Useful Links

Glenboig Neighbourhood House

Summerlee Heritage Park - Brick Collection  - Just a small part of the Summerlee Collection

Clay & Bricks - The story of Glenboig Union Fireclay Co

Brick Making
The International Brick Collectors Association California  If you're a brick collector, you may be interested in this organization: The International Brick Collectors Association (IBCA),

Glenboig Village Park