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Statue of Queen Victoria
73 A photograph showing the statue of Queen Victoria at the junction of Union Street and St. Nicholas Street. The building in the background is the Clydesdale Bank that stands next to M&S today. This fine Italian renaissance style building was originally constructed for the Town and County Bank and opened for business in May 1863.
The statue of Queen Victoria was made from marble and was sculpted by Banff born Alexander Brodie (c.1829 - 1867). The origin of this statue is closely related to another Aberdeen monument, the 1863 memorial statue of Prince Albert by Baron Marochetti, now standing, or rather sitting, in the area in front of the Central Library.
Marochetti's statue was augurated by Queen Victoria herself on 13th October 1863 and this was said to the first time the Queen had appeared at a public demonstration following the death of Albert in 1861. The Marochetti statue was the subject of great local controversy and there were various plans for an alternative, superior, memorial to the late Prince Consort. It was at a related meeting that a chap called Alexander Donald, from the Royal Tradesman of Aberdeen, moved "That a colossal statue in marble, of Her Majesty, be erected at the corner of St. Nicholas Street."
The endeavour was taken on by a variety of prominent citizens and funding was raised by public subscription. Brodie, the selected sculptor, worked on an 11-ton block of Sicilian marble for two years to complete the statue. The finished piece is 8 foot 6 inches in height and, at the request of Queen herself, depicts Victoria in Scottish regal attire. The statue stands on a substantial plinth of pink Peterhead granite.
The statue was unveiled and inaugurated on 20th September 1866 by Albert-Edward Prince of Wales, later to be King Edward VII and the subject of another of Aberdeen's notable statues. During his speech at the ceremony, the Prince said "Gentlemen, it has afforded me the greatest satisfaction to attend here today, by the wish of Her Majesty, and at your invitation, for the purpose of inaugurating a statue of the Queen, my dear mother. Her Majesty has desired me to express to you how much she appreciates the motives which have led the people of Aberdeenshire to give this lasting evidence of their attachment and loyalty to her person, of which she has so many proofs, and whose sympathy in her great sorrow has touched her so deeply."
During his visit, the Prince of Wales also received the Freedom of the City and attended the Royal Horticultural Society's Autumn Show, which was then going on in the Music Hall. An extensive account of the unveiling, the Royal visit and the town's celebrations is given in the Aberdeen Journal of 26th September 1866.
After some time at this location, the statue's marble began to show weathering due to the frost and so it was moved to the vestibule of the Town House in 1888, where it remains to this day. It stands at the foot of the building's splendid main stairway. The plaster model of Brodie's statue has also been on display in the Music Hall for many years.
A new bronze statue of an older Victoria, by sculptor Charles Bell Birch, was erected at the St. Nicholas Street location on 9th November 1893 and "the Queen" became a regular meeting place for generations of Aberdonians. To make way for the extension of Marks & Spencer, the 1893 statue moved to its current site at Queen's Cross on 22nd January 1964. Victoria now stands looking east towards Balmoral. Bannermill from Broad Hill
1487 A photograph looking south west from Broad Hill towards the Bannermill (or Banner Mill) cotton works.
The road in the foreground is that which would become Links Road. This continued along the north side of the factory and had a junction with Constitution Street at the north east corner of the works. The land shown in front of Bannermill is Queen's Links.
The location of Bannermill is now occupied by a large square shaped complex of mostly early 21st century flats (completed 2004), with parking in its middle, and a main entrance, on Bannermill Place, accessed from Constitution Street.
The factory was established in 1827 by Thomas Bannerman and closed down in 1904, then under the management of Messers Robinson, Crum & Co. Limited.
The premises were used as stores and for various types of works during the 20th century.
In 1999 the 5.8 acres site was put on the market by the then owners, the North Eastern Farmers (NEF) co-operative, with a price of around £5million. NEF left the site in February 1999 to move to a new headquarters at Rosehall, Turriff. (See P&J, 11 November 1999, p. 7)
Aberdeen City Council subsequently produced a planning brief for developers calling for a housing or mixed housing and hotel development on the site.
Wimpey House submitted a plan for 349 luxury flats and this proposal was given the go-ahead. Construction primarily took place during 2002 and 2003, with the first residents moving-in in October 2002. The Town House under construction
1757 Discussions had been held in relation to the construction of new public buildings for the County and City of Aberdeen since the early 1860s.
Royal Assent was given to the Aberdeen County and Municipal Buildings Act 1866, which gave permission for a Court House for the County and City of Aberdeen; a hall for public meetings; a Town House for the City with offices for staff; a building for the accommodation of the Police Commissioners and their staff.
Plans were drawn up by the Edinburgh architects Peddie and Kinnear and work on the demolition of buildings on the site (including the old Town House) at the junction of Castle Street/Union Street and Broad Street began in 1867.
The offices in this section were occupied in January 1871. A lofty vestibule and broad circular stair led to the Town Hall and offices on the first and second storeys.
The architecture is of a medieval Flemish style which recalls Aberdeen's trading links with the Low Countries. The building was completed in 1874.
This image shows the partially completed building around 1869/70 when the 200-foot-high West Tower and one block had been completed - two more matching sections were still to be done. 73-79 Union Street and Market Street
2796 Montague Burton, Ltd., tailors, at 73-79 Union Street in 1937. Burton occupied this site from 1923 to 1980 (but numbered 81-83 up to 1932).
Above the shop name can be seen the sign for Maison Louis, a ladies and gents' hairdressers, located there from 1933 to 1938.
To the left of Burton's, on Market Street, was Knowles & Sons, fruit growers and importers, founded by Mr. Charles Knowles in 1889 in the New Market buildings next door. When sold in 1947, the company included Union Street and Market Street shops, the Joint Station fruit stall, a wholesale business, nurseries at Airyhall and a Kirkwall branch. The Market Street outlet remained there under the same name until the early 2000s.
The sign and façade of the New Market can be seen further down. March Stone 1 CR|ABD
3177 This stone is located near the kerb at 79 Hardgate, at the east side of the intersection with Union Glen. It is march stone 1 and marks the the junction of the Inner and Outer Marches to the south of the town.
The 1929 Blue Book gives the following 1525 description for an earlier version of the stone: "[...] ane gret grey stane, with ane sawssir [...]". It was still marked with a saucer in 1698 but a new stone marked '1 ABD CR' was in place by the late 18th century.
The Ordnance Survey town plan of Aberdeen from 1867 has a first March stone marked on the north east corner of the New Bridge, on the Hardgate, which went over the then open Hol Burn. This stream ran east then south, joining Ferryhill Burn on its way to the Dee (where we can now find the Alpha stone).
The Hol and Ferryhill burns have since been fully, or for the most part, covered over by urban development.
The Blue Book records stone 1 at the north gable of 81 Hardgate and a photograph of it up-right at this location is included.
The inscription in this 1980s image looks different and the marker was likely moved to this flat, roadside location when the properties on the Hardgate were redeveloped sometime in the mid-20th century. The stone would have been either moved and altered, or replaced.
The stone in 2020 looks in better condition than shown here in the 1980s, which suggests it has had further attention in the intervening years.
A slide of this image was kindly lent to Aberdeen City Libraries by Colin Johnston so that we could create a digital copy for public use.
The image was taken in the early 1980s when Colin worked as a teacher at Bridge of Don Academy. He led several current and former pupils, and staff members in an investigation into the location, physical condition and public knowledge of Aberdeen's historic boundary markers. Aberdeen Cinemas: Regal / ABC / Cannon
3400 An Aberdeen Journals Archive photograph of the interior of the ABC Cinema on Shiprow and Union Street in 1976. This was shortly after the "tripling" of the cinema which was completed on 8th July 1974. This was the process of dividing the cinema's original, single large auditorium into three distinct screening rooms. This allowed cinemas to show a greater variety of films and to cater to smaller audience numbers. The Odeon on Justice Mill Lane had been the first cinema in Aberdeen to be tripled, reopening as such on 8th April 1974.
This photograph shows ABC 1, the largest screen, that sat 566 people. Silver Screen in the Silver City (1988) explains that the largest screen (cinema one) would mainly show first runs. The smaller screens (cinemas two and three) would be used for less commercial attractions or the retention of popular features already shown in the main screen. This is the format of cinema exhibition that is most common today but marked a significant change from the tradition of single large auditoriums.
The tripling of major circuit cinemas like the ABC and Odeon had a knock-on effect on the viability of cinemas such as The Cosmo on Diamond Street. These smaller cinemas had previously been a home for the less commercial features that the larger venues were now taking on.
In 1986 the ABC Cinemas chain became part of the American-based Cannon company, which already had extensive cinema interests in the UK. The vertical ABC sign above the Union Street entrance gave way to the Cannon logo in June 1987.
Some highlights of the cinema's time as the Cannon included hugely popular runs of E.T., the Tim Burton Batman, and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. The cinema's name reverted to the ABC for a period before closing for the final time in early 1998.
Aberdeen and cinema-going was shortly to experience a period of expansion. In August 1999 Aberdeen company Craiglair Properties got the go-ahead to demolish the abandoned ABC and build a new seven screen cinema on the site. The cinema was called The Lighthouse and opened in April 2001. Since 2004 it has operated as The Vue Aberdeen.
[Information primarily sourced from Silver Screen in the Silver City (1988) by Michael Thomson]
Image © Aberdeen Journals Ltd. Aberdeen Cinemas: Torry Picture Palace / Torry Cinema
3428 Torry had a cinema from as early as 1910. The Torry Skating Rink Association opened premises on Sinclair Road and called it the Torry Picture Palace. This closed down due to the First World War. In 1921 a new cinema was opened. It was called the Torry Picture House and was located on Crombie Road on the north side of the junction with Victoria Road.
It later changed its name to the Torry Cinema as we can see in this photograph. Throughout the 1920s a band accompanied films shown at the cinema and 'talkies' were introduced in 1930. In this image the film advertised is The Mystery of Mr X with Robert Montgomery which dates the photograph as being from around 1934.
The cinema closed down on the 24th September 1966. Following its closure, it was initially planned to be converted into a bingo hall. A good offer was received for the prominent Crombie Road site, however, and it was sold and the building was demolished to make way for shops. At the time of writing, in 2021, the site is the location of the Crombie Court block of flats.
[Information primarily sourced from Silver Screen in the Silver City (1988) by Michael Thomson] Site of McKay's
3498 A photograph from 24th February 2021 showing the cleared former site of McKay's clothing shop at 29-31 Queen Street. The business relocated to new premises at 251-253 Great Northern Road in early 2020.
The Queen Street site was sold to Aberdeen City Council in 2019. The building was demolished in the early months of 2021 as a preliminary stage of the authority's Queen Street regeneration project.
The £150 million transformation includes plans for 300 new homes, a civic hub, cultural assets, enhanced heritage features and a high-quality public realm.
McKay's opened their two-floor premises on Queen Street on 25th March 1971. The family business, which has been on the go since the early 20th century, had previously occupied two other locations on Queen Street. The latter Queen Street premises was famous for its abundant and varied stock.
The eastern exterior wall of the building was the site of a large mural depicting a golfer by Norwegian artist Martin Whatson. This was created for Aberdeen's first Nuart festival in 2017 and sadly had to be demolished along with the building.
The rear of A. Marshall Mackenzie's Greyfriars Church of 1903 can be seen on the left of this image. Treasure 78: Northfield and Mastrick Libraries
289 Both Northfield and Mastrick Libraries opened during the month of October in 1955 and 1957 respectively as part of a plan formulated by the Library Committee to extend the provision of branch libraries into new housing areas. From photographs, plans and news cuttings in the Library Archive we can take a look at the early history of both libraries.
In January 1950, building began on the Northfield estate, the first major housing development in post war Aberdeen. By June 1952, 800 families had moved to the area and were served by the mobile library which made evening visits to Marchburn Drive and Deansloch Terrace. These sites were very busy with over 9000 books issued and people often queued to use the service.
At a meeting of the Public Library Committee in January 1953 it was agreed to ask Aberdeen Corporation to erect a library building on a site in Northfield.
The construction of a new branch library began in the autumn of 1954. On 12 October 1955, the G. M. Fraser Branch (named in memory of the late City Librarian) was officially opened on Byron Square by Mr. Thomas Johnston, former Scottish Secretary.
The success and popularity of Northfield Library inspired the committee to open a similar unit on the adjacent housing estate of Mastrick. The first section of the new Mastrick Branch Library opened on Greenfern Road on 18 October 1957, with the second section opening in 1961.
View the Treasures from our Collection interactive exhibition on the touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries to find out more about the history of Mastrick and Northfield libraries. Treasure 90: Torry and Ferryhill libraries
302 Both Torry and Ferryhill Branch Reading Rooms opened on 19 December 1903 as part of the General Extension Scheme to provide a library presence in what were regarded as outlying areas of the City.
In November 1901 the Council Finance Committee sanctioned the acquisition of a piece of ground at the corner of Victoria Road and Grampian Road where Torry Library would be built. A site was secured at the corner of Fonthill Road and the Hardgate in August 1901 for Ferryhill Library.
Both libraries were supported by Andrew Carnegie who, having previously donated money for the building of the Central Library, promised £1750 for each of the Branch reading rooms.
It was the aim of the Library Committee that the Branches should be "educative and attractive in every sense" and with this in mind the walls were hung with reproductions of works by artist such as Constable, Turner, Joseph Farquharson and others.
The success of the new branches was very apparent from the statistics. In the first nine months of opening, attendance at Torry numbered 31,567 with 63,711 at Ferryhill. Once the delivery stations were set up, book issues (including those for Old Aberdeen) totalled 13,530 volumes of which over 10,000 were fiction. By 1939, Torry and Ferryhill were well on their way to becoming fully established branch libraries.
Take a look at the early history of the libraries in the Treasures exhibition on the interactive screen. Elevation of the principal front
533 An architectural plan showing the principal, south facing elevation of a new Aberdeen Infirmary at Woolmanhill as proposed by Archibald Simpson (1790-1847).
The plan labelled as "no. 8", is one of two original elevations for the infirmary presented to the Aberdeen Public Library on 5th November 1908 by local architect, William Kelly (1861-1944).
Attached to the back of this elevation is a letter sent by Kelly to G. M. Fraser, city librarian. It states that one of the elevations is drawn on paper watermarked 1828 and both are signed 3rd April 1832. Kelly also suggests "the egg-shaped form of the dome is a very interesting point."
The Dictionary of Scottish Architects indicates that Kelly worked on additions and extensions to Woolmanhill Hospital on a number of occasions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The handwritten dating of the plan that Kelly refers to in his letter reads as follows:
"Aberdeen 3rd April 1832. Plan referred to in Minutes of the Infirmary Meeting of this date." This inscription is accompanied by the signature of James Hadden (1758-1845), who was provost of Aberdeen numerous times, including between 1830 and 1832.
This building, known as the Simpson Pavilion, replaced an earlier infirmary at the Woolmanhill site. Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record states that construction of the original hospital started in 1740 to the design of William Christall, and it opened in 1742 with 20 beds. This earlier infirmary was demolished following the completion of the Simpson designed replacement.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), in the building's entry on their listed buildings portal, states that the Simpson Pavilion was built between 1833 and 1840 and "is a rare example of an early nineteenth century hospital building, which is largely unaltered to its street elevations and plan-form." The HES description provides much detail on the design, history of the building and its architectural significance.
In the later 19th and into the 20th century, various extensions and additions joined the Simpson Pavilion to create a significant hospital complex.
Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record states that though replaced by a new Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at Foresterhill in the 1930s, Woolmanhill remained in use as a hospital until 2017. Elevation of the west front
534 An architectural plan showing the west facing elevation of a new Aberdeen Infirmary at Woolmanhill as proposed by Archibald Simpson (1790-1847).
The plan labelled as "no. 9", is one of two original elevations for the infirmary presented to the Aberdeen Public Library on 5th November 1908 by local architect, William Kelly (1861-1944).
Attached to the back of this elevation is a letter sent by Kelly to G. M. Fraser, city librarian. It states that one of the elevations is drawn on paper watermarked 1828 and both are signed 3rd April 1832. Kelly also suggests "the egg-shaped form of the dome is a very interesting point."
The Dictionary of Scottish Architects indicates that Kelly worked on additions and extensions to Woolmanhill Hospital on a number of occasions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The handwritten dating of the plan that Kelly refers to in his letter reads as follows:
"Aberdeen 3rd April 1832. Plan referred to in Minutes of the Infirmary Meeting of this date." This inscription is accompanied by the signature of James Hadden (1758-1845), who was provost of Aberdeen numerous times, including between 1830 and 1832.
This building, known as the Simpson Pavilion, replaced an earlier infirmary at the Woolmanhill site. Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record states that construction of the original hospital started in 1740 to the design of William Christall, and it opened in 1742 with 20 beds. This earlier infirmary was demolished following the completion of the Simpson designed replacement.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), in the building's entry on their listed buildings portal, states that the Simpson Pavilion was built between 1833 and 1840 and "is a rare example of an early nineteenth century hospital building, which is largely unaltered to its street elevations and plan-form." The HES provides much detail on the design, history of the building and its architectural significance.
In the later 19th and into the 20th century, various extensions and additions joined the Simpson Pavilion to create a significant hospital complex.
Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record states that though replaced by a new Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at Foresterhill in the 1930s, Woolmanhill remained in use as a hospital until 2017. General plan of the infirmary ground, and adjacent streets with the new building as proposed
535 A cloth architectural plan showing the proposed layout of a new infirmary at Woolmanhill, including grounds, in relation to nearby streets and geographical features. This new general hospital was designed by Archibald Simpson and constructed between 1833 and 1840.
The handwritten inscription in the bottom right reads as follows:
"Aberdeen 3rd April 1832. Plan referred to in Minutes of the Infirmary Meeting of this date."
This is accompanied by the signature of James Hadden (1758-1845), who was provost of Aberdeen numerous times, including between 1830 and 1832.
The plan identifies a number of features of the proposed building: a court, two porticos, two terraces, a garden, a drying yard, a wash house and brew house, and shrubbery around its border. A lodge can also be seen to its south east.
Identified nearby features include Woolman Hill, Black's Buildings, the Denburn, Skene Street and Spaw Street (Spa Street).
The shown building, which became known as the Simpson Pavilion, replaced an earlier general infirmary at the Woolmanhill site. Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record states that construction of the original hospital started in 1740 to the design of William Christall, and it opened in 1742 with 20 beds. This earlier infirmary was demolished following the completion of the Simpson designed replacement.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), in the building's entry on their listed buildings portal, states that the Simpson Pavilion "is a rare example of an early nineteenth century hospital building, which is largely unaltered to its street elevations and plan-form." The HES provides much detail on the design, history of the building and its architectural significance.
In the later 19th and into the 20th century, various extensions and additions joined the Simpson Pavilion to create a significant hospital complex.
Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record states that though replaced by a new Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at Foresterhill in the 1930s, Woolmanhill remained in use as a hospital until 2017. |