More Tales From Govanhill

By Bruce Downie

Govanhill Library

Govanhill Library opened on 16th March 1906, the ninth of fifteen district libraries established around Glasgow, thanks in part to a gift of £115,000 from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The library was designed by architect James Rhind, in a Renaissance style.

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Expansion of Queen’s Park

In 1893, Queens Park was less than half the size it is now. The pressure on Queen’s Park by all the different sports club that wanted to use it was intense. Here’s a petition presented to Glasgow Town Council to buy the grounds at Camphill (which had just become available) and extend Queen’s Park.

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Quoiting

Quoiting is a sport that was very popular at one time in mining communities. Govanhill was originally a mining community and in the early 1900s, the Govan Colliery was still open so there would still be many miners in the local population.

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Concrete and Steel

Govanhill Baths was one of the first public buildings in Glasgow to use reinforced concrete, a combination of steel and concrete. This is one reason the building is still standing. Read a letter from the architect A.B. McDonald to the Corporation, dated 28th February 1913, recommending the use of reinforced concrete.

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The Swimming Pool Morgue

There is a popular story that the Ladies’ Pool in Govanhill Baths was used as a morgue during World War Two. While this gruesome tale brings something to the atmosphere of the place, and delights paranormal groups who have spent nights there, some doubt remains as to the truth of the story.

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Laundrettes vs Steamies

Before World War Two, commercial laundries offered an alternative to municipal steamies or wash houses but they were generally too expensive as the washing was done for you. After the war, American-style laundrettes began to appear, they were quicker and cheaper. But many women still preferred the sociability of the steamie.

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Robert Murray – First Superintendent of Govanhill baths

Find out about the first Superintendent of Govanhill Baths, was Robert Murray, who was appointed when the Baths opened in 1917 and he reached retirement age in 1933.

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Mixed swimming at Govanhill Baths

In 1917, women did not yet have the vote and swimming, one of the great sports and leisure activities of the time, was still strictly segregated. Mixed bathing had been permitted in some English pools for a few years, but Glasgow Corporation still did not permit men and women to swim together.

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The Russian Bath

Many who visited Govanhill Baths before 2001, will remember the sauna and the Turkish rooms. When the Baths first opened in 1917, the facilities on offer were slightly different, there wasn’t a sauna but rather what was known as a Russian Bath.

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