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The Hardweird
126 The street known as the Hardweird, so named as having been built on the Hardweird Croft. The last street in Aberdeen to show the 'forestairs' that were so common in the older streets of the town. Some of the houses were demolished in 1908. The Hardweird ran from Skene Row to Jack's Brae. Skene Row came off Skene Street, opposite Chapel Street.
This photograph looks east and is likely taken not far from the junction of Hardweird and Upper Denburn. These dwellings are those that stood on the south side of Hardweird. The land was later developed as utility type facilities with Skene Street School playing field above. View of Aberdeen from Cornhill
181 View of Aberdeen from Cornhill, c.1840. This picture was contained in a series of lithographs of Aberdeen published in 1840 by J and D Nichol, booksellers, Montrose. The elevated position of Cornhill provided one of the best points of view over the city. The idyllic rural scene in the foreground is in contrast to the array of smoking chimneys in the distance, interspersed with the spires of various buildings. In the middle is Broadford Textile Works with Hutcheon Street on the left. On the far right, there is the tall chimney of Rubislaw Bleachfield Works, which was demolished in July 1908. The spires belong to the East and West Churches of St. Nicholas, and the Tolbooth while, in the centre, there are the four turrets of the central tower of Marischal College and the tower of the North Church. The chimneys were evidence of the extent and importance of manufacturing in the city, while the western suburbs were the most attractive, with beautiful villas whose residents were often those citizens whose wealth came from these industries. St. Nicholas Street, Aberdeen. 1898
363 This image taken in 1898, shows two prominent Aberdeen citizens crossing St. Nicholas Street under the watchful gaze of a statue of Queen Victoria. The building behind them was then the Town and County (now Clydesdale) Bank. These two individuals were lifelong friends and both came from a poor background, however their industry and intelligence, combined with self education led to their successful careers. William Cadenhead on the left began work in a thread factory but later became a traveller for a wine and spirit merchant, eventually succeeding to the business. He died on 11th December 1904 aged 85. William Carnie on the right was apprenticed as an engraver, but his ambition to write for newspapers was fulfilled when he began on the North of Scotland Gazette. However in 1861, he was appointed as Clerk and Treasurer of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the Royal Lunatic Asylum. After his retirement he wrote three volumes entitled Reporting Reminiscences covering the period 1850 - 1876, recollecting local events and people he knew. He died on 2nd January 1908 aged 83. Aberdeen Corporation Castle Street tram stuck in the great snowstorm of 1908
565 Aberdeen Corporation Castle Street tram stuck in the great snowstorm of 1908 Hardweird
718 The Hardweird, so named as having been built on the Hardweird Croft, is now the only street in Aberdeen showing the 'forestairs' that were so common in the older streets of the town. The Hardweird ran from Skene Row to Jack's Brae. Skene Row came off Skene Street, opposite Chapel Street. Part of old Gilcomston, it resembled a small "ferm toon" standing between the foot of Jack's Brae and Upper Denburn and it consisted of 18th and early 19th century artisan and labourers' housing - a product of the period when Gilcomston had a flourishing weaving industry. Some of the houses were demolished in 1908. One of Aberdeen's worst slums, it was cleared during the early 1930s and the playground of Gilcoumston Primary School now occupies part of the site. Schoolhill after the great snowstorm of 1908
781 Schoolhill after the great snowstorm of 1908. The Art Gallery and the entrance to Robert Gordon's College are on the left. Football at Pittodrie
1656 The large crowds visible in the photograph suggest that this may be the Scottish Cup semi-final of 21st March 1908. Reaching the semi-finals for the first time, Aberdeen played Celtic at Pittodrie before a record 20,000 attendance (this was prior to the introduction of neutral crowds). The Aberdeen players, seen here in their black and gold stripes of the time, lost 1-0 to the visitors. Union Terrace
1850 Union Terrace covered with snow after the great snowstorm of 1908. The statue of Robert Burns on the right of the image is by Bain Smith. It was unveiled to public gaze on the 15th September 1892. The statue depicts Burns in deep contemplation pondering upon the fate of the 'crimson tipped flou'r', the daisy. Market Street
1852 A photograph looking north east towards the junction of Guild Street, Market Street and Trinity Quay in 1904.
The then Post Office, on the east side of Market Street, is in the centre of the image with its stone royal coat of arms visible above.
On the right of the image is Fidler's Well, while on the left is the single-storey buildings that were replaced by the Balmoral Temperance Hotel block opened in around 1908. Union Street and the Music Hall
2117 In this photograph the Music Hall on Union Street is partially obscured as a result of The Great Snowstorm of 29th December 1908. The Great Snowstorm of 1908 in Aberdeen
2119 This postcard image from The Great Snowstorm of December 29th 1908 shows the Castlegate at the eastern end of Union Street under a formidable amount of snow. The Salvation Army Citadel can be seen in the background. The Great Snowstorm of 1908
2120 A great snow storm hit Aberdeen on the 29th December 1908. Here a squad of workmen begin to clear the great banks of drifting snow from Union Street. William Wallace in the Great Snowstorm of 1908
2121 William Wallace looks down over the great snow storm of 29th December 1908. It appears that the street has yet to be cleared of snow. John F. Lessels Group Portrait
2141 This group portrait of three women was taken by John Fraser Lessels. He styled himself "The Photo King" and is so credited on the back of this postcard photograph. The postcard is addressed to "Miss Jeannie Robb, 124 Union Street, Aberdeen."
Lessels had a bold approach to promotion. An advert in the Aberdeen Daily Journal from 1908 reads "SALVATION for 6d, Cabinet Size. Get saved now. Lessels, Photo King, 64 St Nicholas Street."
Lessels was born in Aberdeen in 1878 and married a cousin called Faith Duncan in 1907. The Photo King had studios throughout Aberdeen, his main office being at 15 Crown Street, and a number of premises in Edinburgh and Angus. Faith Duncan worked as a photographer's assistant and Lessels' also had a sister who was a photographer but who sadly died aged 25.
As a life-long pacifist he and his family moved to Dublin to avoid conscription in World War I and worked with the Lafayette photographic studio. Lessels later moved to Bangor in Northern Ireland where he is understood to have had a difficult time and appears to have suffered a mental breakdown and incarceration. One of his sons, Maurice Lessels, ran a photographic studio in Lisburn, County Antrim for many years. (Many thanks to Ian McDonald for his research into this Aberdeen photographer). Clearing the Line to Aberdeen in a Snowstorm
2202 A postcard image showing workers clearing railway tracks of snow. This scene is likely following the great snowstorm of 1908.
In the last week of December of that year, Aberdeen had such severe snowfall that it was cut off from the rest of the country by rail, and residents had shortages of bread and milk as carts were unable to make their usual deliveries.
Snow built up in the streets in banks of up to 6 feet in height. The council engaged over 600 men in the city-wide task of clearing the snow. The Snowstorm in Aberdeen, 29/12/08
2949 A postcard of Union Street after the Great Snowstorm that hit Aberdeen on 29th December 1908. In addition to the Music Hall, the premises of Watt & Milne, Pullars and James Henderson can also be seen. The Snowstorm in Aberdeen
2952 A postcard image showing Castle Street and the aftermath of the snowstorm that hit Aberdeen on 29th December 1908. Aberdeen Theatres: The New Pavilion
3380 A poster from 1931 for The New Pavilion at Aberdeen beach. The poster lists many of the acts performing as part of Harry Gordon's Entertainments and gives a start date of 29th June. The box office for the theatre is given as Paterson, Sons, & Marr Wood, 183 Union Street.
In 1908 a young Harry Gordon won a talent competition at the Pavilion and so began his association with the theatre. He entertained visitors at the Beach Pavilion throughout the 1920s and 30s with his stories about the imaginary village of Inversnecky and songs such as "The Auldest Aiberdonian", "Hilly's Man" and "The Rodin Tree".
The Pavilion was closed during the Second World War, though reopened in 1946. Harry Gordon had given up his tenancy by this point. In the 1950s it was advertised as "the city's variety house by the golden sands presenting a bright and breezy variety show with well-known Radio and TV stars".
Resident comedians included Dave Willis and George Lacey and there were occasional appearances by future stars such as Julie Andrews. Plays were performed and films shown throughout the summer months.
In 1962 the Pavilion was re-named the Gaiety and became a licensed restaurant, public bar and lounge. It functioned as a restaurant in the Queens Links leisure complex until the remnants of the original building were destroyed by fire in 2014. Pocra Quay
3569 This photograph depicts Pocra Quay on the left and the South breakwater lighthouse off in the distance on the right.
Multiple ships are registered in Aberdeen and Banff, such as Ebenezer (A892) belonging to Thomas Davidson, Callykhan (BF122) of J. Murray & others, and Tarbat Ness (A203) and Buchan Ness (A204) which belonged to the Girdleness Herring Drifting Company Ltd. based in Aberdeen.
Buchan Ness (A204) was built in 1908 and over the years had its name and registration changed a couple of times. In 1912 it was renamed to F.H.S. and moved to Yarmouth for John F. C. Salmon. Then, in 1929 it was moved to Banff and renamed again to Thealby for John Wood.
The wood screw steamer Vine (A279) also has an interesting story. It was built in 1900 by Forbes & Birnie based in Peterhead for a fish salesman from Aberdeen Thomas Davidson. An article written in The Buchan Observer of 20th March 1900 describes a celebratory banquet in honour of the newly built ship as it was leaving Peterhead to Aberdeen, where it would have a steam engine installed. The vessel was described as an "extraordinary success" due to its appearance and speed.
Unfortunately, in 1915, the ship was captured by enemy submarine and sunk with gunfire 30 miles north-east from Out Skerries, Shetland. All crew returned home safely.
The photograph was likely taken between the years of 1908 and 1915. Newhills Convalescent Home and Sanitorium
3810 A group portrait of patients and staff at the Newhills Convalescent Home and Sanatorium in the 1930s.
The Newhills Convalescent Home was founded by Christian Catherine Smith in 1874. She was the wife of Rev. James Smith, the minister of Newhills Parish Church. The couple lived in the nearby church manse. Christian grew up in North Ayrshire and demonstrated concern for the welfare of others from a young age.
Christian married James Smith on 14th April 1869 and it was shortly after arriving in the parish that she recognised the potential of the place as somewhere ill people could come to rest and regain their health. The convalescent home was subsequently started at Dykeside Cottage. It was a great success and operated at this location for 7 years.
Annual newspaper reports on the home described its purpose as being for "the benefit of respectable persons in humble life who appear to be failing into dishealth, or are convalescing after non-infectious ailments."
In 1908 Christian Smith stepped down as head of the home due to ill health and was replaced by a publicly elected executive board. This was led for many years by Dr. Walter A. Reid and during his tenure the institute was modernised and extended.
In 1948 the home was incorporated into the National Health Service. Due to issues of staffing and its unsuitability during winter, the decision was taken to close the home. Patients were transferred to other local hospitals and in the same year the home was sold to Aberdeen Town Council.
The buildings were subsequently operated as a home for the elderly and homeless until March 1980 when it was sold into private hands.
After leaving the manse in 1917, Christian Catherine Smith, the founder of the home, lived at 2 West Craibstone Street. She died there on 6th December 1924 aged 81. She was buried at Newhills Church and the then minister Rev. Andrew Currie led a memorial service. He described the Newhills Convalescent Home as "an institution not only for the healing of bodies, but a place for the comfort of hearts and the cure of souls." Christian Smith's name can still be seen today in one of the church's stained-glass windows. The Great Snowstorm of 1908
4179 Union Street showing the effects of the great snow storm that struck the city on the 29th December 1908. Mounds of snow have just been cleared from the pavements. The Great Snowstorm of 1908
4180 A F.W.H. postcard image showing the Great Snowstorm of 29th December 1908 in Aberdeen. Snow is piled up in the Castlegate. The Great Snowstorm of 1908
4181 A F.W.H. postcard image showing the Great Snowstorm of 29th December 1908. Union Street is blocked with snow. The clear-up begins. Strichen, December 1908
4252 A postcard image showing the village Strichen in December 1908, after a significant winter snowstorm had hit North East Scotland. |