History of Paisley

PAISLEY IN THE 19TH CENTURY

The Industrial revolution transformed Paisley from a small market town to an important industrial town. The location on the River White Cart was ideal for the establishment of mills and new workers moved to the town from Ayrshire and the Highlands. The textile industry meant that there were also employment opportunities for women and children. With the decline in demand for silk the mills of the town began to produce the famous “Paisley Shawls”.

In 1810 the Paisley to Johnstone Canal was opened. Unfortunately, the opening ceremony on Saturday 10th November ended in disaster, when a boat capsized, and 85 people drowned in the freezing waters of the canal. Also, in 1810, Robert Tannnahill, Paisley’s most famous poet drowned in the Candren Burn near his house in Queen Street.

In 1812 Clark’s Threadworks was opened in the Seedhill area of the town and this was followed in 1826 by the opening of the Coats Threadworks at Ferguslie.

In 1832 the town suffered its first Cholera epidemic where an estimated 446 people died. Throughout this period there were some major engineering projects, including improvements on the River Cart with the building of the Carlile Quay and widening of many of the streets in the town.

A number of engineering firms were established in the town including A.F. Craig and Fullerton, Hodgart and Barclay. In 1838 Paisley added shipbuilding to its growing list of products when the Royal Victoria became the first ship to be built in Paisley.

To cater for the increased demand for clean water from the growing population the Stanely Reservoir was completed in 1838. This was followed by other reservoirs at Rowbank (1870), Glenburn (1879) and Camphill (1883). By the mid 1800’s the railways had become the most important form of transport for the manufacturing industries of the town. In 1841 Gilmour Street Station was opened with railway connections to Ayrshire and Greenock. The 1840’s were a difficult time for the town of Paisley due to a financial crisis and mass unemployment. In 1843 the town was declared bankrupt.

Paisley’s annual Sma’ Shot Day celebrations held on the first Saturday of July were initiated in 1856 to commemorate a 19th-century dispute between weavers and employers over payment for “sma’ shot” – a small cotton thread which, although unseen, was necessary in holding together garments.

From 1861-5 the American Civil War had a considerable impact on Paisley as the source of cotton was heavily restricted by the blockade of the ports in the Southern States.

In 1868 the Fountain Gardens were gifted to the town by Thomas Coats at a cost of £20 000. In 1870 the Paisley Swimming Baths were opened in Storie Street and at the time they were the finest in the land. One year later, Scotland’s first municipal Museum and free Library opened in the High Street. This was donated by Peter Coats. In 1874 the Cattle Market was opened and was later re-located to Storie Street.

1877 is a date known by many Paisley Buddies, as this was the year that St Mirren Football Club were formed. The other Paisley club, Abercorn FC, were also formed that year.

1879 brought the introduction of trams into the town connecting with the surrounding towns including Renfrew, Barrhead and even to Glasgow. In 1880 the world-famous Robertson’s jam and marmalade factory was opened in Stevenson Street. It was a major employer until it closed in 1979.

In 1882 the George A. Clark Town Hall was opened. By this time the town was prospering, and new schools, hospitals and colleges were being opened. A new harbour was built on the Cart and Dunn Square was laid out. In 1888 the town played host to a visit from Queen Victoria.