On the south bank is the area known as the Gorbals.
In medieval times it was known as Little Govan and Bridgend
after the 1345 bridge. It was still quite village-like until the
late 18th century when new urban areas were developed. The Georgian
terraces of Carlton Place are a good example.
At the beginning of the 19th century, with the city growing fast
it would have seemed obvious to develop housing for merchants on
the south bank where they would abut the ancient settlement of the
Gorbals at the south end of the city's old bridge. All were
developments in a grid plan parts of which survive although many of
the original buildings have long gone and the area has been much
broken up by subsequent bridge, rail and road developments.
Tradeston developed during the 1790s, Hutchesontown developed
under the auspices of Hutchesons' Hospital between 1790 and 1813
and Laurieston was an ambitious entrepreneurial venture
by Glasgow merchant, James Laurie, from 1802-18. He planned to call
all the streets after members of the English aristocracy; Carlton
Place referred to the home of the then Prince Regent,
subsequently George IV.
There has now been massive investment in new development in
the Gorbals.
Also at Victoria Bridge and the Merchant City (Back to
Listing)