Smith and McLeans (the 'Old Works')
Gartcosh grew as a result of the works -during the late 1890s and early 1900s Smith & McLean provided new brick-built houses for their workers in the village. Two of the now demolished terraces were named McLean Place and Smith Terrace, after the firm. Mowbray Cresent and Jardine Terrace are still village street names today.
SMITH & McLEANS WORKS AT GARTCOSH.
After the Gartcosh Iron & Steel Co. went into sequestration, it was taken over in 1872 by Smith & McLean under whose ownership it developed into an important steelworks.
Smith & McLean were merchants, manufacturers, galvanizers, steel and iron plate and sheet rollers. They owned Clyde Galvanizing Works at Mavisbank and Port Glasgow, the Iron & steel works at Milnwood and Gartcosh Rolling Mills and Iron & Steel Works.
Richard Smith and Charles McLean both died after only a brief time in Gartcosh and ownership passed to Charles Mowbray and George Jardine..... still under the name Smith and McLean.
EARLY ADVERTISEMENT OF SMITH AND McLEAN LTDThe skills required for manufacturing the steel sheets and bars mentioned in this advertisement was extremely specialised. Trained operatives specialising in this type of work were brought to Gartcosh from England to train the local workforce.
How many of you can remember this view of SMITH & MCLEAN'S?
One of the many street names in Gartcosh, which reflect the village's past.
