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Today’s #glasgowparkoftheweek is Springburn Park in the north of the city. Glasgow Corporation acquired the land for the park in 1892. At the time it was agricultural land, with the remains of a quarry at one corner.
The quarry is now the rockery, which you encounter as you enter the park from Balgrayhill Road. It is one of few reminders that Springburn was once a mining and quarrying area. This entrance also has fantastic views over Glasgow.
Nearby is the Winter Gardens, which were built by Glasgow Corporation as a condition for accepting a £12,000 gift from local benefactor Sir Hugh Reid to finance the construction of the nearby Springburn Public Halls. (Image courtesy Mitchell library)
The glasshouse, the largest in Scotland, was supplied by Simpson & Farmer, who also built the glasshouse at Queen’s Park and the Winter Gardens in Tollcross Park. The main structure is of mild steel, wth elements of wrought iron and decorative internal structure of cast iron.
The Winter Gardens were much loved for their displays of plants and for the concerts held there. The Gardens are Category A-Listed, but have remained derelict for some time due to structural problems. @SpringburnWG are working to restore the glasshouse.
Sir James Reid (father of Sir Hugh Reid) had also contributed to the park’s development. Born in Ayrshire and starting off as a blacksmith’s assistant, he eventually became the proprietor of the Hyde Park Locomotive Works, Springburn.
His gift of a bandstand to the people of Springburn in 1891 had highlighted the absence of any recreational area and led to the creation of the park. The bandstand, manufactured by Walter McFarlane’s Saracen Works, was erected in 1893 as the original centrepiece of the park.
Audiences of over 2,000 people often attended summer concerts in the park. The crowds caused damage to adjoining flowerbeds, and the bandstand was moved. It was removed altogether in the 1960s due to increasing costs. (Image courtesy Mitchell library).
A rare Doulton Column, Category B-Listed, now stands were the bandstand was originally sited. The column, featuring a unicorn at the top, is actually only part of a much larger structure which was built as a fountain and located in Balgray Pleasure Park.
A bronze statue of Sir James Reid was erected by public conscription in 1903 and is now Category-B Listed. The statue is by W Goscombe-John, who’s other work includes the Elf statue, a feature of the Kibble Palace in the Botanic Gardens.
Our next stop is Mosesfield House. The house was built in 1838 by the office of architect David Hamilton, for a bookseller called James Duncan. Hamilton’s work also includes the Royal Exchange and Hutcheson’s Hall.
On a recent visit to Springburn Park I met Ronnie Grey, former Landscape Area Manager with Glasgow Corporation, who has lived in Mosesfield House for over 50 years. He explained that the story goes that the design was mostly the work of Charles Wilson.
Wilson has previously featured in our park series as the architect of an extension to Linn Park House. Ronnie was also able to tell me that the first ever motorcar produced in Scotland was built in the yard of Mosesfield House in 1895.
The House had become the Manse of one of Springburn’s churches. The Minster’s son, George Johnston, was a member of the ‘Mo-car’ syndicate. Financed by Sir William Arroll, the Arroll-Johnston Motor Company produced cars for the next 30 years.
Nearby is the peace garden, dedicated to the late Lord Provost Bob Innes. It features flower beds with memorial seats, and a ‘Peace Pole’ donated by Japanese atomic bomb survivors. The memorial to Bob Innes is a sculpture made from locomotive components.
The park features several ponds, including the Boating Pond. At one time small paddle boats could be hired for use on the pond and in the late 19th century the pond was used for Curling when frozen.
Near the boating pond is the ‘Community Village’ being developed by @SpringburnPF. They recently unveiled the UK’s first permanent auditorium made entirely of recycled pianos in a steel hut that the council previously used for storing grit!
Let us know what you love about Springburn Park, and remember to tag us @GlasgowHeritage in photos of you out enjoying Glasgow’s parks and greenspaces! Use the hashtag #glasgowparkoftheweek to nominate your local park to be featured.
If you would like to find out more about Springburn, join us for our next online talk, ‘The Unexpected Delights of North Glasgow’, on Wednesday 19th August at 6pm via Zoom. https://www.glasgowheritage.org.uk/online-talk-the-unexpected-delights-of-north-glasgow/
