Newton Mearns, General

MEARNS

The area had seen some small-scale quarrying, medium-sized bleachfields and printfields before 1903, when the Caledonian Railway opened Whitecraigs Station on their line from Glasgow to Patterton and beyond into Ayrshire. This was the signal for the start of commuter suburbs, notably in the area north of the station, linking up with Rouken Glen Road. To the south development blossomed, especially in the renowned 1930s Broom Estate by Mactaggart & Mickel. This pattern, first on the east of Ayr Road, extended southwards to join up with Mearns Cross in the 1960s, then to the east of Old Mearns Road and later moved into Crookfur, on the west. The built-up area stops a little south of Mearns Cross, on the edge of the Fenwick Moors, which climb above 213m (700ft).

Taken from "Greater Glasgow: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Sam Small, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk

Until the late 19th century the village of Newton Mearns was a burgh of barony, holding a weekly market and two annual fairs. It experienced rapid growth during the first half of the 20th century, as the development of road and rail links made rapid travel into Glasgow possible. The 1931 population of 812 had risen to 4,317 by 1951, fuelled by the construction of villas, bungalows and housing schemes.

Information from RCAHMS (SC) 30 August 2007

Third Statistical Account 1962