438

The premises of G.D. Henderson, Ironmonger, at 23 Bon-Accord Terrace on the corner with the Hardgate. The staff stand outside the main entrance. Garnet D. Henderson first appears in Aberdeen Post Office Directories in the 1910-11 edition and continues to feature into the 1960s. On the 28th of June 1928 The Press and Journal reported that Henderson had been knocked down by a bus on Great Northern Road. He received injuries to his ankle and his left leg was broken. He was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and detained for an unspecified period.

485

A lithograph print of a drawing by James Skene of Rubislaw (1775-1864). The illustration depicts the Mercat Cross and Tolbooth in the centre of Aberdeen in around 1800. James Skene was a lawyer, amateur artist, and a notable friend of Walter Scott. A short article from the Aberdeen Daily Journal of 23rd February 1912, page 9, indicates that this image was made to illustrate an edition of The History of the troubles and memorable transactions in England and Scotland, from M.DC.XXIV TO M.DC.XLV by John Spalding that was published by the Bannatyne Club in 1829. An engraved version of this image can be found facing page 9 in volume 2 of the abovementioned publication. Titled 'Tolbooth of Aberdeen', James Skene is given as the illustrator and William Penny as the engraver. Walter Scott was the founder of the Bannatyne Club, a text publication society, and James Skene was a member. The club's two volume edition of Spalding's history, drawn from three manuscript copies, was published under Skene's superintendence. John Spalding was a 17th century Aberdeen historian and clerk. His Memorialls of the trubles in Scotland and in England, ad 1624 - ad 1645 is of note as a detailed account of the impact of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in North-East Scotland. See David Stevenson's entry about Spalding on the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography for more information on his life and his written history. Spalding was commemorated in the name of three Aberdeen clubs devoted to publishing historical sources; the Spalding Club, New Spalding Club, and Third Spalding Club (collectively active between 1839-1960). In 1850-51, the first of these clubs published an improved edition of Spalding's Memorialls of the Trubles. The attributions on the version of the image shown here indicates that it was printed by Aberdeen bookseller and publisher D. Wyllie & Sons and the lithography was undertaken by Taylor & Henderson, another prominent local firm. This image looks north east and depicts the Mercat Cross, carved by Aberdeen master mason John Montgomery and erected in 1686, in the middle distance. The market cross is likely shown in use either as shops or a post office, both purposes it historically served. The cross was repaired in 1821 and moved to its present location, approximately 83 metres east, in 1827. The Tolbooth, a prison, in the centre of this image was built in 1615. Much of the building, which was developed progressively over the years, is now obscured by the Peddie & Kinnear designed Town House completed in 1874. The Tolbooth was converted into a museum which opened to the public in 1995. To the east of the Tolbooth, partially obscured by the market cross in this image, is the New Inn. This building, once the most important hostelry in Aberdeen, was demolished and replaced by the North of Scotland Bank, now the Archibald Simpson's pub, in 1840-42. The illustration otherwise shows a busy scene on Aberdeen's Castle Street. This was a centre of civic activity and important market place for the town. In the foreground are a number of pynours (an Aberdeen term for porters), then an organised craft. Some sense of life in the Castle Street/Castlegate area at the time, particularly of its more eccentric characters, can be found in the book The Aberdeen Worthies (1840) by William Bannerman.

505

The old channel of the River Dee. After years of discussion about the development of the harbour, the Aberdeen Harbour Act of 1868 allowed the Harbour Commissioners to divert the river to the south. The first turf was cut by Lord Provost Leslie on 22nd December 1869.

733

A photograph of the Watson Street Lodge in Victoria Park. The figures standing in the doorway are most likely to be Robert Walker (1848-1930), the Keeper of Victoria Park, and his family; his second wife Christina Walker and daughters Elizabeth and Ann. Judging by the 1891 census and Robert's eventual obituary, the family also had at least five sons. Walker was previously married to Isabella Robertson. She died on 24th November 1877. This photograph likely dates from the later 19th century. Robert Walker was originally from Perth and was himself a son of a gardener. He came to Aberdeen as a nurseryman and in around 1871 was chosen out of 450 candidates to be the city's first keeper of parks. He oversaw the creation of Victoria Park, Aberdeen's first public park, before going on to lay out Westburn Park, Stewart Park, Union Terrace Gardens and the Promenade. Walker was also an early advocate and pioneer of the planting of street trees. For a number of years Aberdeen had two superintendents of parks, Walker and a Mr Peter Harper at Duthie Park. When Harper retired in 1914 Walker was appointed general superintendent. Post Office directories indicate that Walker and his family lived at the Watson Street Lodge, also known as the Victoria Park Lodge, from its construction in around 1872 to his retirement in 1919. His residence at the lodge was part of the job. On retirement Walker moved to the relatively nearby 111 Westburn Drive. He was succeeded as general superintendent of parks by William B. Clark (1882-1938), who resided at the West Lodge of Duthie Park. A man called Robert Duncan replaced Walker as the keeper of Victoria and Westburn Park. Over the years Aberdeen has had substantial success and renown as an attractive, green city. A considerable portion of the credit for this success must reside with the pioneering and dedicated work of Robert Walker.

947

First fire engine at Culter Mills.

960

The statue of Rob Roy at Culter - number 2, 1850-1926. A Rob Roy figure has stood on this rocky ledge high above the Leuchar Burn just before it reached Culter Paper Mills for around 150 years. It has become a tourist attraction for those travelling on the North Deeside Road at Peterculter, about 8 miles from Aberdeen. However, there is no historical evidence to support the legend that Rob Roy MacGregor left the gorge to escape his pursuers. The original figure is supposed to have been a figurehead from a Peterhead whaling ship and it was replaced in about 1865 with the carved wooden stature seen here. It apparently suffered damage before the First World War when local Territorial soldiers practised their firing skills on it. However, by 1925, the figure was in a poor state due to the effects of time and weather. A committee was appointed to secure a new stature and an Aberdeen woodcutter, David Graham, created a figure from a nine foot high block of Quebec yellow pine. It was unveiled on 3 July 1926. This figure lasted until 1991, when it had to be replaced again after being damaged by vandals.

975

First aid post at Culter, 14th January 1940.

982

First aid post at Culter, 14th January 1940.

1031

Cults Railway Station, 1920 - Cults was the first main station on the Deeside Line between Aberdeen and Ballater, at 3 and five-eighths miles from Aberdeen. The line between Aberdeen and Banchory was opened in 1853 and extended to Aboyne and later to Ballater by 1866. The double line, as seen here, was opened in 1884 and returned to single line in 1951. This view, from about 1920, shows the stationmaster, Peter Walker, his staff and a number of passengers awaiting the imminent arrival of a train. In 1894, suburban trains, "subbies", were introduced between Aberdeen and Culter, calling at 8 intermediate stations and covering the 7 miles in just over 20 minutes. This meant that up to 30 trains would be calling at Cults every day. The "subbies" ceased on 5 April 1937 because of competition from buses. The Deeside Line closed to passenger traffic on 28 February 1966, after the Beeching Report of 1963. Goods traffic continued for a few more months but the final train ran on the line on 30 December 1966. Cults Station was later occupied by a joinery company.

1041

The first post office in Cults was situated on the ground floor of the ivy covered building in the centre of the photograph. The letterbox was on the wall at the right hand side of the doorway. The Sub-Postmaster was Mr Davidson, the blacksmith. In 1900, it was transferred to the present site.

1051

Bydand Motor Transport Co. Ltd. were one of a number of small bus companies which sprang up in the 1920's, and were based at the Western Garage on Great Western Road, Aberdeen. Many service men had learned to drive in the army during the First World War, and vehicle manufacturers were keen to supply new markets. Bydand announced in the Aberdeen Press and Journal on 23rd May 1925 that they were to introduce a "Deeside Motor Bus Service". They offered a regular weekday half hourly service of buses between Aberdeen (Wallace Statue) and Bieldside with less frequent late buses and a Sunday service between Mannofield and Bieldside only. Buses were also to run between Aberdeen, Culter and Banchory. The fare from Aberdeen to Bieldside was 4p; Aberdeen to Culter was 8p; Aberdeen to Banchory was 1 shilling and sixpence. Within a few weeks, Bydand were extoling the virtues of their service in an advert headed "Safety First". The company made much of the fact that their buses started from His Majesty's Theatre, seen in the background of this image, and passed other theatres enroute. It was even possible to reserve a seat on the Banchory Bus when booking seats at His Majesty's Theatre. During the summer months, Sunday Mystery Tours were advertised. These were a 60-70 mile trip for 5 shillings return. The 1930 Road Traffic Act introduced various restrictions and many small companies were taken over by the expanding company of W. Alexander and Sons Ltd. The 13 Bydand buses were transferred to the company on 3rd October 1932.

2253

After Victoria Road, and alongside Walker Road, Menzies Road was one of the first streets to be built in New Torry in the late 19th century. As the population of Aberdeen rapidly increased and advances were made in fishing technology there was a need for more housing in Torry. The road is named after the Menzies family, Lairds of Pitfodels. In 1785 ownership, following lengthy post-reformation disputes, the ownership of the lands of Torry were divided west and east respectively between the Menzies and the Town of Aberdeen. This image shows the junction of Menzies Road and Craig Place. The latter street leads down to the River Dee and the Wellington Suspension Bridge.

2306

The next stop is the building now known as the Lemon Tree but this was built especially for St Katherine's Club as is still known affectionately by the older generation as St Kay's. St Katherine's Club was originally set up in October 1917 for working class girls to have a comfortable meeting place away from the crowded and dismal conditions of their homes during WW1. Held in two rooms in a tenement in the Shiprow, the club was founded by Miss Bella Walker and Miss Elsie Moffat and they provided an environment which was at once domestic, educational and recreational. There were classes in home craft, art and craft, drama and literature, and physical education. The club grew to a membership of over 500 until it moved to the purpose-built YWCA building at 5 West North Street in 1937. It continued to grow and evolved as the needs arose. In the 1960s there was a greater awareness of adolescent, social and personal issues and the 'Open Club' was set up. In 1990 with the money from the sale of the building, the St Katherine's Trust was established and has met twice yearly to make financial donations to local organisations and groups. Aberdeen Women's Centre, Shoe Lane (1989-2006) In the former Caretaker's flat of the St Katherine's Club, Aberdeen Women's Centre offered a women-only space for women's groups and classes to meet. With urban aid funding came staff which included the city's first Minority Ethnic Development Worker for women. Memories: Memories of the St Katherine's Club 1 Memories of the St Katherine's Club 2

2323

George Milne Fraser had a lifelong interest and expertise in local history; delivering talks (as seen in the December 2015 Treasure), publishing books and numerous letters and articles in the local press. His Notes and Jottings collection comprise over 70 volumes, mostly hand written (including a form of shorthand), which are a treasure trove of information about the local area. Within these notebooks are newspaper articles and advertisements, photographs, personal correspondence, sketches and many other interesting bits and pieces. Library staff have compiled an index to this invaluable resource and consult it on a regular basis when researching enquiries. It is quite a challenge deciphering his handwriting sometimes! As a journalist by profession, G. M. Fraser retained his talent for writing and contributed articles to the Aberdeen Free Press, Bon Accord and Northern Pictorial, Evening Gazette, and journals such as the Deeside Field. His contributions to local literature began in 1904 with the publication of The Green. Historical Aberdeen appeared the following year and after Aberdeen Street Names in 1911 the Town Clerk Depute wrote to Fraser with the words "We must now regard you as our Principal Historian". G. M. Fraser was appointed city librarian in 1899 and was the second public librarian in Aberdeen. His name was known all over the north east and he was mentioned in the chorus of one of Harry Gordon's popular songs, The Auldest Aiberdonian: "I ken lots o' stories G. M. Fraser disna ken". On 30 October 1923 he gave a 15 minute talk on the radio about Castlegate, becoming the first librarian in Aberdeen to make a radio broadcast. During his term of office there were many developments in the Library service: - The Central Library was extended in 1905 to include a new reading room. - Branch reading rooms and delivery stations were established throughout the city. - The Juvenile Library in Skene Street opened in 1911. - Open access was introduced in the Lending Library 1925 (find out more about Open Access libraries in the October treasures!) - Fraser's strongest legacy is the Local Studies collection, which still contains many of our treasures. G. M. Fraser was remembered very fondly after his death on 7 June 1938. There were many tributes including one from the Library Committee. Perhaps one of the warmest tributes was paid by his successor as City Librarian, Marcus Milne: "Somehow the Library and G.M. were one. You could not think of the Library without thinking of that kindly figure who was head of it; and one could not meet him without thinking of the building he graced for so long. Mr Fraser had 2 hobbies and work was both of them. He lived for nothing else. The library was ever uppermost in his thoughts and closely allied to his love for the Library was his great love for things Aberdeen". Mr Fraser's funeral service was attended by many prominent city officials and floral wreaths included one from Lady Aberdeen with the inscription "In affectionate and grateful remembrance of a much valued friend". He is buried in Springbank Cemetery. In 1955, Aberdeen's first post-war permanent branch library was opened at Northfield and named the G. M. Fraser Branch Library in his honour. In further recognition of his contribution to the development of the Library service, a commemorative plaque can be found on the front of the Central Library building.

2388

This photo dates from around 1950, and shows bookbinder Joseph T. Duncan and his assistant Ruth Chalmers in the bindery which was located in the basement of the Central Library. He is applying gold lettering to the spine of a volume using the tools laid out on the rack beside him. Mr Duncan was appointed in 1935 at the age of 37, after the retirement of the Library's first bookbinder, and remained in post until his sudden death in 1962. Prior to his appointment, he was employed by printing firm George Cornwall and Sons for 22 years. During his time there, he spent a year on loan with William Jackson, a bookbinding company in Back Wynd, who also carried out work for the Public Library. He was tasked with stamping class numbers on the spines of books for the Sir John Anderson Library in Woodside whose management had been transferred to the Public Library Committee in 1930.

2751

The granite facade of the Aberdeen Sailors' Mission and Home building, built in 1893-95, that has been retained and incorporated into a large residential development on Mearns Street. This appears to be all that remains of the building. The eastern elevation we can see here was part of a three block extension to the institute designed by architect James Souttar. There was also an entrance to the building on James Street. A preview of the opening of the building, with a detailed description of it, can be read in the Aberdeen Journal of 26th September 1895, page 7. Queen Elizabeth II's first solo opening ceremony was the Aberdeen Sailors' Home, after it was reconstructed, on 3rd October 1944. Also of local interest in this image is a car from the well-known firm Panda Rosa Metals. This family business specialise in ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling and have been operating in Aberdeen for many decades. Mearns Street, originally running from Regent Quay to Virginia Street, was constructed on the site of a previous thoroughfare called Pork Lane. This was described as a narrow lane of congested tenements and had a reputation for ill-health and crime. Post Office directories indicate that Pork Lane was demolished in around 1885-86 and that Mearns Street was established by 1887-88. This development was part of a programme called the Shorelands Scheme of Improvements. In October 1886, the Improvement Committee of Aberdeen Town Council recommended the name of the new street in compliment to the master of shore works who had initiated the improvement scheme, Daniel Mearns (Aberdeen Weekly Journal, 23rd October 1886, page 4). Mearns (1838-1913) was a shipping merchant, councillor for the St. Clements Ward, active in the Aberdeen Harbour Board and went on to serve as Aberdeen's Lord Provost between 1895 and 1898.

2862

A photographic group portrait of policemen, their dog, and first-aid stretcher equipment.

3358

A poster advertising performances of Emerald Isle (or The Caves of Carric-Cleena) at His Majesty's Theatre. The comic opera was a production of Mr J. S. Jackson's Amateur Opera Company and ran for six nights from 21st November 1910. The poster indicates that the performances are taking place in aid of the King Edward New Hospital for Sick Children and lists a number of patrons of this undertaking. Further down the poster is given details of the cast and crew and general information about the performances, including the price for various tickets. One note states that "Bonnets are not allowed in Orchestra Stalls or first three rows of Dress Circle." Towards the bottom of the poster is a notice for an upcoming production of the George Bernard Shaw play Candida. Robert Arthur is listed as the theatre's managing director and Mr. H. Adair Nelson is the acting manager. The wording at the very bottom of the poster indicates it was created by W. & W. Lindsay, theatrical printers, 28 Market Street.

3836

This photograph from 1967 shows children reading books in Northfield Library, Aberdeen. Northfield Library opened in October 1955 as part of a plan formulated by the Library Committee to extend the provision of branch libraries into new housing areas. 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 9,000 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 12th 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 18th October 1957, with the second section opening in 1961.

4441

A photograph by Roddy Millar, taken 24/07/2024, from a series surveying the architecture of the north side of Union Street. The building shown here is 480-484 Union Street. It was originally built as the cistern for Aberdeen by architect John Smith (1781-1852). It was essentially a giant water tank designed to look like a tenement. Diane Morgan in The Granite Mile (2008), p. 178, explains that Parliament had permitted water to be extracted from the River Dee for the expanding city in 1829. This resulted in Smith being instructed to build the Waterhouse, as the cistern was known, to enable its storage and distribution. The opening of waterworks at Invercanny in 1866 rendered the cistern redundant. It subsequently served as a fire station and later as carriage and horse hiring premises for William Bain (1838-1901), post horsemaster. An obituary for Bain can be found in the Aberdeen Journal, 01/07/1901, p. 5. Circa 1900 the building was reconstructed into a functioning tenement. The upper floors were occupied by flats and offices. No. 484 at ground floor, became the West End Branch of the British Linen Bank. In 1937, the shopfront was remodelled by Dick Peddie, Todd and Jamieson. The ground floor was occupied by a succession of bank branches during the 20th century. Since around 2011, 484 has been a health and disability assessment centre associated with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Historic Environment Scotland describe 480-484 Union Street as a 4-storey, 3-bay coursed granite ashlar building with channelled rustication to the ground floor. Bipartite windows feature on the first, second and third floors. The 3rd floor has a band course, projecting cornice above its cill level, eaves cornice and a blocking course above.

4448

A photograph by Roddy Millar, taken 21/07/2024, from a series surveying the architecture of the north side of Union Street. The 3 storey and attic building to the left of Starbucks at 208-210 is 212-216 Union Street. Historic Environment Scotland's listed building information suggests this building was erected circa 1841 and that its upper storey and attic were added in the late 19th century. The 'New Buildings in Aberdeen' column in the Aberdeen Daily Journal suggests that the above mentioned alterations and additions were undertaken in 1901 to a design by architects Messrs Jenkins and Marr for Messrs William Coutts and Son, a firm of painters (ADJ, 03/09/1901 p. 7). George Gordon Jenkins (1848-1923) and George Marr (1846-1899) went into partnership in 1878. Following the death of the later, Harbourne Maclennan became a significant architect in the firm and he became the sole partner in 1921 after the retirement of Jenkins. The five bays of 2nd floor windows are decorated with keystoned architraves. The building culminates in twin, highly decorated, curving gables at its attic level. Diane Morgan in The Granite Mile (2008) indicates that this building was previously known as the Central Chambers and was home to George Watt & Stewart, architects, and W. Balfour Robb, advocates (p. 137). From the early 1990s to the mid 2000s, the first two floors were occupied by Paull & Williamson, estate agency. The building was known as New Investment House during this period and had a decorative façade featuring a fountain pen nib, the logo of Paull & Williamson, above its entrance. Paull & Williamson merged with Edinburgh and Glasgow based firm Burness to become Burness Paull in 2012. Since about 2014, this building has been occupied by serviced office businesses. First i2 and from around 2019, Centrum, as shown in this image. The smaller building to the left is 218 Union Street. Historic Environment Scotland indicate that this 2 bay, 2 storey and attic building was also built around 1841. No. 218 was constructed in 1841 as new, purpose built premises for the West-End Academy, an elementary school for boys and girls, which had opened the previous year in 1840 (P&J, 22/04/1940 p. 2 and P&J, 11/09/1941, p. 2). Aberdeen post office directories suggest that the school, which was initially at 201 Union Street West, operated from 216 Union Street until about 1875. A for sale notice for the property can be found in the Aberdeen Journal of 08/03/1876 on p. 4. Morgan suggests one notable 20th century occupant of nos. 216-218 was William Garden, a gunsmith and fishing-tackle maker, who had an impressive array of weaponry in their front window (p. 137). From circa 1993 to 2009, the ground floor premises were occupied by a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland (Evening Express, 18/10/1993, p. 13). By 2012, this was replaced by Smile Dental Care, shown in this 2024 photograph.

4537

M. M. Henderson, Ltd., jeweller, at 253 Union Street. The clock above this shop has long been a noted feature of Union Street and remains in place at the time of writing in 2025. The entrance to 255 Union Street is shown to the right. The 1936-37 Post Office Directory shows the following occupying this building: James Farquharson; Mrs. MacDonald; Bradbury's Furniture Saloons; and Post Office Aberdeen Directory Ltd. The first floor windows shown in this image indicate these offices were occupied at the time by James Young, Ltd., financiers. This photograph was taken during the winter of 1937.

4563

A photograph showing principal teacher of drawing and painting at Gray's School of Art, Mr. Robert Sivell (1888-1958), with two of his students standing in front of murals created for a San Francisco cocktail bar. The image accompanies an article titled 'City Art Students Decorate Cocktail Bar' from the Bon-Accord and Northern Pictorial newspaper of 7th July 1938, page 9. The accompanying article explains that Sivell and four of his post-diploma students were commissioned to paint seven wall murals for a new Scottish themed cocktail bar in the US city of San Francisco. Three of the seven paintings were full-sized panels standing nine feet high. These depicted Rob Roy, Prince Charles Edward and Balmoral Castle. Four other panels were smaller and showed Tantallon Castle, a Highland scene, Sligachan and Sgurr nan Gillean on Skye, and Loch Tay. The article lists Mr. Sivell's students as Isobel Mackie, Alberto Morocco, James Hillocks and Taylor Bremner. Referring to his students and the murals, Sivell stated "This is their first commercial work, and it's well done." The commission for the paintings came through local tailors, Messrs Meldrum, Ltd., George Street, who were well known in America for supplying tartans, kilts, and Scots tweeds. Having dispatched a consignment of Stuart tartan for the bar, they were also approached concerning decorative paintings. Mr Meldrum queried the request with Mr J. Taylor of Taylor's Art Saloon, who then went to Robert Sivell. The work was carried out in Aberdeen, taking roughly a week, and the finished murals were due to be sent to America on 4th July 1938. (P&J, 04/07/1938, p. 8). These Scottish themed murals can be seen as a precursory to those Sivell and his students would soon create for the new Students' Union buildings on the Gallowgate.

4578

A photographic postcard image looking north towards the village of Bankhead from the slopes of Sclattie Granite Quarry. Bankhead is a residential area to the north east of Bucksburn on the south side of the River Don. It was once geographically separate, but is now a contiguous part of Aberdeen along with Bucksburn and Stoneywood to the North. Stoneywood Church can be seen towards the left of this image. It and the shown houses are located on Bankhead Road. Old Stoneywood Church was built in the 1840s and was converted into office space in the 1990s. Following a period of vacancy, the building became the site of the Aberdeen Hindu Temple in around 2019. The temple is the first of its kind in North East of Scotland and is the only place of worship for the Hindu community in the region. Since opening the temple has provided religious and pastoral services for the community in the form of daily prayers, special and festive poojas, meditation services, and volunteering opportunities for young people. The chimney shown in the distance in this photograph would be part of Stoneywood Paper Works located to the north. Text in the bottom right of the image indicates that this postcard was published by John Gray of Bucksburn. John R. Gray (1874-1947) was a general merchant and garage operator based in the area. An Aberdeen Post Office postage mark stamped on the rear of the postcard indicates this particular card was processed on 15th September 1903. It was sent by a "H. B." to a Miss Machray of Bolton Cottage, Dyce. Correspondent Dr. Mike Mitchell states that the image definitely dates from before 1904 as the Suburban Tramways depot across the road from Stoneywood Church is not yet present.