BRIDGETON GREEN

Like any other village, Bridgeton once had a piece of common ground upon which the inhabitants could wash, bleach and dry their clothes. Bridgeton’s Green was situated on the south bank of the Camlachie Burn where it passed the bridge at Barrowfield Toll. It was the gift of John Orr of Barrowfield in 1785 to the villagers, less than a decade after the establishment of the community on his lands. The need for the provision no doubt indicated the increasing success of the endeavour.

The burn provided a source of the clean water suited for the purposes of the Green and permission was also given for the building of any structure to enhance these operations, such as a washouse. It could be accessed from Main St. via Green St. (later known as Mackeith St.).

As the burn became more polluted and industry developed around the Green, its use became increasingly problematic. It became the property of Glasgow after Bridgeton was amalgamated with its neighbour in 1847 and soon after the establishment of the City Improvement Trust in 1866 it was transferred to that agency to allow redevelopment of the entire area. The sum of £2436 was raised from its sale and this money was banked until a facility could be provided to promote the cultural edification of the local people. It was this money and purpose for which it was set aside that was one of the causative factors in the eventual building of the People’s Palace & Winter Gardens on Glasgow Green.

It was the fate of Bridgeton Green was to disappear beneath new housing and factory developments. In the early 1870s the Camlachie Burn was culverted over and James St. formed. Landressy St. was continued southwards through the lands to meet Green St.. At the same period, Bridgeton Cross itself was formed around the old Barrowfield Toll.

© 2005 Gordon Adams

NOTES: Updated for 1st March, 2010.

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