DALE
ST
Bridgeton
This street was named in honour of David Dale from his connection with the Turkey Red dyeworks at Dalmarnock in the latter quarter of the 18th century. It was one of the first streets to be laid out in the new village of Bridgeton and, along with Rumford Street and Franklin Street, the naming would appear to reflect some sympathy with the ideas of the social reformers from which they originate. It has been suggested that the original intention may have been to establish a community at Bridgeton somewhat along the same lines as Dale's New Lanark venture.
Dale Street is seen here running diagonally to the right, towards Main Street. This image was taken in August, 1974 from the Ruby Street high flats.
At its intersection with Reid Street, Dale Street is reputed to have been the site of the original village Cross. This fact was intimated by the now lost minute book of the Bridgeton Feuar Court, examined by Hugh MacIntosh (1902) in his researches. It is reported by MacIntosh that the Cross consisted of stones set into the tar macadam of the road, and it would seem to have survived to the end of the 19th century. At least the relative grandeur of the modern Bridgeton Cross compensates to a degree for the loss of its predecessor.
At its eastern extremity, the street formed one boundary for what had been the extensive site of the Glasgow Corporation Gas Works and, until its demolition in 1986, a main feature was Bridgeton Parish Church of Scotland. In common with most of Bridgeton, Dale Street now largely consists of houses built since redevelopment by GEAR in the 1970s.
Quite a few photographs of Dale Street of the turn of the 20th century have survived and these are shown in the Gallery below.
MacIntosh, H. (1902); “The Origin and History of Glasgow Streets.” James Hedderwick & Sons Ltd., Glasgow
©Gordon Adams
Gallery
The following early 1920s photos are from the Mitchell Library's collection, two of them are views of backcourt activity;
