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Guild Street
399 Guild Street looking towards the harbour.
On the left hand side of the road is the facade of Her Majesty's Theatre built in 1872. It was renamed the Tivoli in 1910. It was a popular theatre and many well-known performers appeared on its stage including W. C. Fields, Tony Hancock and Andy Stewart.
The Tivoli became a bingo hall in 1966 and finally closed its doors in 1997. However, following refurbishment, the Tivoli reopened in 2013.
The Criterion Bar is on the left of the photograph and the old Goods Station is on the right. The 1867 Aberdeen Joint Station
537 This photograph shows the eastern side of the original 1867 Aberdeen Joint Station. The railway buildings can be seen at the front with the roof rising behind.
The history of the station can be discovered in the Great North of Scotland Railway Association's publication The Joint Station: Aberdeen Station, 1867-1992 (c1992).
In reference to the 1867 station, on page 18 it states:
"Designed by the City Architect, Mr Smith, various offices and rooms occupied the east side of the station, extending in a symmetrical manner along the entire frontage, in front of which ran a macadamised roadway eighty feet broad. The building's facade was of dressed ashlar granite quarried from Kenmay, surrounded by a balustrade of dressed freestone. The arched doors were also faced with finely dressed ashlar granite, again surrounded by freestone. The remainder of the buildings was of rustic granite interlined with courses and belts of ashlar freestone from Bannockburn. The main walls, which were thirty feet high, were finished off at the ends by square turrets about twenty feet high 'built of granite rustic work which gave the whole structure a most imposing appearance'. At its highest point the roof, designed by Mr Willet the Civil Engineer for the project, was about seventy feet above ground level and was stated as being modelled on Victoria Station, London."
The cranes and construction work that can be seen on the left side of this image suggest that it might date from the beginning of the 1913-1916 construction of the new Joint Station, overseen by GNSR Chief Engineer J. A. Parker. Foundations for the new station were laid in the cab yard to the east of the old structure on 28th May, 1913. Wellwood, Pitfodels
1063 This beautiful mansion house in its 15 acre grounds is situated about 3 miles from Aberdeen and is set back from the North Deeside Road at Pitfodels. It was the home of George Davidson of G &W Davidson, merchants, rope and twine manufacturers but was purchased by Aberdeen Royal Mental Asylum in August 1930 and opened as a private nursing home for the treatment of early nervous and mental disorders. In 1964, it became part of the neighbouring Woodlands Home providing accommodation and care for mentally handicapped adults who might be successful in finding employment in the community. It became a day centre for adults with physical or learning difficulties, but planning permission for housing was granted in 2003. Mackie Place
1092 4-5 Mackie Place, Aberdeen.
Mackie Place takes its name from Robert Mackie, skinner, who was feuing the ground along the denburn side here in the latter half of the 18th century. The photograph shows a pair of Georgian dwelling houses dating from c.1760.
The interesting twin front gables provide a most unusual appearance, as does the two doors which are approached by an elaborate set of curved flights of steps. The house is one of Aberdeen's early buildings of quarried granite, is semi detached. Once an independent picturesque location, the area is now surrounded by tenements.
One of Aberdeen's oldest schools, Aberdeen Grammar School lies a few hundred yards to the left, now separated by Esslemont Avenue. Mansefield Dairy
2257 These premises in this 1905 photograph were situated at 203 Victoria Road in Torry just a few doors away from Mansefield Road from which it took its name. Torry was originally a fishing village on the south side of the River Dee and only became part of the city in 1891. The windows are full of advertising for Fry's Chocolate and there are boxes of biscuits from Gray, Dunn and Co. and from Sangsters. In the centre there is a row of jars of other varieties of sweets, which must have been a great temptation to any passing children. Stop 5: Aberdeen's First Nursery for Working Women (1871-1874) and Night Shelter for the Homeless (1971-1986), East North Street
2304 In June 1871 a day nursery was established at 13 East North Street for the children of mothers who did laundry and cleaning jobs. It was run by the Aberdeen Association for the Poor, which nowadays is known as Voluntary Services Aberdeen and is Aberdeen's oldest charity. It was for children aged from 6 weeks to 5 years. Prices were one child 3d, nowadays 1p, two children 41/2d, for children from the same family and three for 6d. Prices were increased in 1873 as the nursery was not able to cover its running costs. This did not help and unfortunately the doors closed in May 1874 as it was not feasible for the Association to continue to run it at a loss of £60 a year. A Flower Mission was run instead where volunteers made and brought bouquets of flowers to sick women from the East End and it lasted for twenty years. In 1895-1902 nursery was re-established in the nearby 15-21 Princes Street. This is the site of the first night shelter founded by Mrs Hilda Wernham (1919-2002) in answer to what she saw as the very desperate need of the indigent population in Aberdeen. A justice of the Peace and founding member of the Cyrenians Mrs Wernham was a sparky lady with a social conscience and an ability to inspire others. She managed to persuade business people with her persistence and sense of humour to support the venture. Her enthusiasm and commitment have earned her a place in the history of Aberdeen. Her name lives on at Wernham House (pictured), the first hostel of its kind, established in 1986 at 7 Virginia Street by Aberdeen Cyrenians.
Memories:
Ina recalls Hilda Wernham
Alma's memories of Hilda Wernham and Aberdeen Cyrenians Scotstown House
4374 A postcard image looking north east towards the portico of Scotstown House. This substantial mansion stood in what is now East Woodcroft in Bridge of Don.
The house is described by David G. Miller in his book Archibald Simpson, Architect: His Life and Times 1790-1847 (2006) on pages 101-102. Miller states that the mansion was designed and erected by Archibald Simpson for the Moirs of Scotstown and Spital, the local landowners, in around the 1820s.
Simpson is also credited with its design in his obituary in The Builder magazine (8th May 1847, vol. 5, no. 222).
Miller states that the mansion was "abandoned by the Moirs and lay derelict for many years before finally being demolished in the 1930s." (Page 102).
Newspaper mentions indicate the property was in disrepair and due for demolition in the 1930s (see Press & Journal, 6th October 1933, page 3), but sources, including Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record, indicate that at least part of the building stood as a ruin until full demolition in the 1980s. Rubble was subsequently removed from the location in 1999. Some garden walls remain in situ.
As indicated in the top right, this postcard was published by a person or company abbreviated to "D. F. McK." This postcard likely dates from the early 20th century. Scotstown House
4375 A postcard image looking north towards the southern elevation of Scotstown House. This substantial mansion stood in what is now East Woodcroft in Bridge of Don.
The house is described by David G. Miller in his book Archibald Simpson, Architect: His Life and Times 1790-1847 (2006) on pages 101-102. Miller states that the mansion was designed and erected by Archibald Simpson for the Moirs of Scotstown and Spital, the local landowners, in around the 1820s.
Simpson is also credited with its design in his obituary in The Builder magazine (8th May 1847, vol. 5, no. 222).
Miller states that the mansion was "abandoned by the Moirs and lay derelict for many years before finally being demolished in the 1930s." (Page 102).
Newspaper mentions indicate the property was in disrepair and due for demolition in the 1930s (see Press & Journal, 6th October 1933, page 3), but sources, including Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record, indicate it stood as a ruin until full demolition in the 1980s. Rubble was subsequently removed from the location in 1999. Some garden walls remain in situ.
As indicated in the bottom left, this postcard was published by a person or company abbreviated to "D. F. McK." This postcard likely dates from the early 20th century.
The rear of the postcard features a 1909 date stamp, green half penny Edward VII postage stamp, and was sent by a "J. C. W." to a Miss M. McKenzie of 37 Summerfield Terrace, Aberdeen. Aberdeen Market 17 - Beauty Salon
4393 A Roddy Millar photograph looking north east and showing the corridor between NexGen Gel Nails Centre and Beauty Salon in the Aberdeen Market building.
The doors onto Market Street, and the concrete steps up to street level, can be seen in the background.
NexGen Gel Nails Centre, in Unit 8 on the left, displays a range of artificial nails in its windows. A substantial selection of bottles of nail polish can also be seen within.
Photograph taken on 26/02/2019. Aberdeen Market 22 - main entrance on Market Street
4398 A Roddy Millar photograph showing the main entrance to the Aberdeen Market building on Market Street.
This image dates from over a year after the building had been closed to the public in March 2020. The entranceway consequently shows some signs of disuse.
The steps, entrance doors and signage can be seen clearly. The latter features the branding of the Market's last operators, Aberdeen Market Village.
Above the entranceway part of the building's east elevation can be seen with its name in relief lettering.
Adverts for a number of the businesses that had occupied units within the Market are attached to the entrance.
Photograph taken on 27/08/2021. Treasure 26: Sweet Red Riding Hood, His Majesty's Theatre, 1906
199 Monday 3 December 1906, 7.30pm. His Majesty's Theatre opens its doors to a brilliant audience and a grand production of the pantomime "Red Riding Hood". Our month's treasure features the pantomime's "Book of Words" printed to promote the event. Few things have been more intimately associated with Christmas than the popular family entertainment known by the name of pantomime.
The word, borrowing of Latin pantomimus (mime, dancer) and coming from the Greek pantóminos ("imitator of all") took the meaning of a drama or play performed without words at the beginning of the 18th Century. Later traditionally performed at Christmas, it incorporates colourful costumes, slapstick comedy, songs and audience participation...
Plots of pantomimes include a number of stock character types: the "principal boy" (the central young male figure, who is sometimes played by a female actor), the "pantomime dame" (always played by a male actor in drag), the villain and other comic characters. In "Sweet Red Riding Hood" at His Majesty's Theatre in 1906, loud calls were directed at the players; Miss Lyuba Lova, a reportedly fascinating Red Riding Hood, Miss Winifried Harbord as Boy Blue and Mr Willie Garvey who made a most amusing Mother Hubbard.
By selecting "Red Riding Hood" for the opening pantomime, the director of His Majesty Theatre, Mr Robert Arthur, made a happy hit as the traditional children's story attracted many people, young and old. Because it was a pantomime, the legend got almost lost in the musical and operatic melange but the performance was well applauded by both the public and the press. The pantomime, written by Frank Dix and composed by Jullien H. Wilson, was divided into two acts - the first in four scenes and the second in five scenes. The "Book of Words" contains the script, photographs of the actors and some local adverts.
For the first two nights of the pantomime, bookings were reserved for Debenture and Preference shareholders only, of which there were a considerable number, as nearly all the money for the new building has been raised locally. The pantomime, which ran till the end of the year, was greeted with whole-hearted applause from start to finish.
Treasure 69: Mrs Elmslie's Institution Plans by Archibald Simpson, 1837
269 Mrs Elmslie was one of a number of Victorian philanthropic benefactors sympathetic to the plight of those who were poor, neglected or homeless and on 19 November 1840, she opened the Aberdeen Female Orphan Asylum - known also as Mrs Elmslie's Institution - on 19 Albyn Place.
This lithograph shows the building as originally envisaged by architect Archibald Simpson with little gate-houses at either side of the street entrance. Aberdeen City Libraries hold a series of 14 plans of the granite building which have been bound together into a single volume. The collection includes elevations, sections and floor plans dated September 1837.
The Orphan Asylum closed its doors on 27 July 1891 and the remaining girls were transferred to the Girls' Home and School of Domestic Economy on King Street. The building was sold to the Aberdeen School Board for £4,500 and, after extensive additions and refurbishment, it became the new home of Aberdeen High School for Girls, renamed as Harlaw Academy in 1970.
Find out more about Mrs Elmslie and her Institution, including its rules and regulations, daily meals and class timetables, in the Treasures from our Collections exhibition on touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries. |