The History of Lochee

Old Lochee Book 1911.

From "Lochee" - As it was and is - by Alexander Elliot - 1911

Chapter 3 TRANSIT: FROM BUS TO ELECTRIC CAR.

FACILITIES for public transit between Lochee and Dundee until 1850 were nil. The great undertakings now in operation had not even been foreshadowed. In that year Mr Hobbs, a coach proprietor, whose premises were in Castle Street, Dundee, made a bid to meet requirements, and placed a conveyance on the route. The experiment from the first was as unsuccessful as it was premature. The people of those days, accustomed to the old order of things, looked askance at the innovation. The encouragement extended to Mr Hobbs, indeed, was so meagre that he soon withdrew. Several spasmodic attempts by others were also attended with failure. It was not till 1870 that a satisfactory connection between the two places was established. At that date Mr John M. Robertson and Mr Peter Peebles, Dundee hirers, renewed the venture and established a system of omnibus transit. The buses continued to ply for several years, their termini being front of Weavers' Hall, Lochee, and High Street, Dundee (opposite Mr Whytock's, Jeweller). In the latter part of 1878, by an arrangement with the owners, the buses became the property of the Dundee and District Tramway Company, by whom they were worked till horse tramway cars were substituted. When the tramway lines .were laid opportunity was taken to pave the thoroughfare its entire length with causeway blocks. The new service, which was opened Christmas 1879, proved exceedingly convenient, and, as compared with the former mode of bus conveyance, was more comfortable and expeditious. There were three services each hour, and these were augmented on Saturday afternoons. The termini were Weavers' Hall on the one hand, and the site of the Caird Fountain, Dundee, on the other. The inward route was by Lochee Road, Ward Road, and Reform Street; and Nethergate, South and North Tay Streets to Lochee were traversed on the outward journey. An important departure was made in 1884, when steam superseded horse haulage. This system, though an improvement as far as traction went, was cumbrous and difficult to work. Eventually in 1899 the tramways were municipalised and a superb electric system installed. In 1900 the benefits of the new method were extended to Lochee, the line at the same time being continued from High Street to its present terminus at Coupar Angus Road. The initial service took place on 22nd October in that year.

Another and most important system of conveyance, viz., the railway, must not be overlooked. The Dundee and Newtyle Railway, which in the crude days of railway enterprise was projected over a series of changing gradients, in time was unable to cope with growing needs. A new line, based on a comprehensive scale, and intended to include the Caledonian Station at Dundee, Magdalen Green, the lower part of the parish of Liff, and West and Central Lochee, eventually supplanted the original line, which, despite its drawbacks, was in operation about thirty years. In its detour from Dundee to Lochee the new railway is some six miles in length. It was opened 10th June 1861. The value of this extension cannot be over-estimated in as far as it affected Lochee, as apart from being a convenience to the travelling public, it materially helped to foster trade, and afforded merchants and manufacturers a ready medium by which goods and material could be conveyed rapidly to and from the great centres of supply and demand. Mr James Young, who was stationmaster at Dundee, was the first to hold the same position at Lochee.

"LOCHEE AN' NAE LIGHT!"—ELECTRIC INSTALLATIONS.

Owing to a scantiness of illumination after nightfall Lochee was often taunted with the reproaches, "Nae Licht" and the "Dark Suburb." It is understood that the phrase "Nae Licht" originated about 1840. In Dundee at that date there often occurred a dearth of water, and from this there arose the common saying, "Dundee an' Nae Water, an' Lochee an' Nae Licht." The term "Dark Suburb" is but a trite application of "Nae Licht." The stigma, though frequently used, has become inappropriate. Lochee, indeed, is now so efficiently lighted that it will compare favourably with any part of the city. Gas was introduced about 1840. During recent years much attention has been paid to the condition of our streets and their lighting. When electricity as an illuminant was introduced into Dundee, Lochee was not omitted. On 14th February 1897 the High Street was provided with an installation of six incandescent lamps. At that time electric cables had not been extended to the district. Power, however, was generated from the Branch Baths, which previously had been supplied with the necessary apparatus. These lamps in turn were superseded on 30th April 1910 by an installation which extended from Railway Bridge to top of Liff Road, the supply in this instance being derived from the Corporation mains.

A FAMOUS PLACE OF MEETING, FOUNDING OF WEAVER LODGE.

As a fraternal craft whose object from the first has been self-help and brotherly companionship, the Weaver Lodge of Lochee is now one of the few extant of that distinctive confraternity. At the end of the eighteenth and beginning of the nineteenth centuries Weaver Lodges were numerous in Scotland, and in Dundee they were an influential body. Lochee Union Weaver Lodge was instituted in 1815, and throughout has been ably managed. In its early stages the Lodge met in Scott's Hall, High Street, which in modern times has been converted into a shop. Weavers' Hall, which was specially built for the use of members, was opened 5th July 1824. Since then it has been a notable place of meeting, and alternately used for all manner of public purposes. When the Weaver Lodge was installed it was made the occasion of popular demonstrations and festivity. The brethren attended service in the "Little Kirkie", the only place of worship at that time in Lochee—and returned hi procession to the old hall. A similar ceremony, but on a more comprehensive scale, marked the opening of the new place of meeting. Accompanied by a contingent of Freemasons and a brass band, the brethren, in the order of procession, and carrying numerous emblems of the crafts, proceeded to the Parish Church at Liff, where the Rev. Dr Addison accorded a hearty welcome, and delivered an appropriate address. Adapted as the hall has been for many indiscriminate uses, it is not generally known that it was frequently turned into a cockpit. Shrove Tuesday or Candlemas was the favourite time for holding such displays; but the so-called sport was not confined to any special date. The custom was universal—in schools in particular; and the game was encouraged by teachers, upon whom the vanquished birds were bestowed. The practice of letting the hall for this degrading pastime was abolished in 1845. As an offset, probably as a palliative—it was given free for holding a Sunday school for a lengthened period. The Union Hall, which was originally intended as a reading and recreation room and coffeehouse combined, was built in 1854. Failing, however, in its object, it became the property of the Weaver Lodge about a year thereafter. For three-quarters of a century Weavers' Hall has been a favourite place of meeting, and holds a record in that respect that no other hall in the city can approach. For all purposes of public utility it has been found useful, and up till the present time its popularity has in no way diminished. Weavers' Hall was first lighted with gas in 1844.

ESTABLISHMENT OF BANKS.

Banking as an aid to business was not practised in Lochee till about the middle of the nineteenth century. The Dundee Banking Company, which long had held an important connection, for the convenience of Lochee arid neighbourhood on 4th May 1847 established a branch on High Street, west corner of Bank Street. Some time thereafter a removal was made to corner of Burnside and High Street. Both buildings have been supplanted. A three-storey tenement fills the site of the first branch at Bank Street; and the North of Scotland Branch has taken the place of the other at Burnside Street. As a sequence to the amalgamation of the Royal Bank of Scotland with the Dundee Bank in 1864, the various branches were absorbed in the combination, though they continued to do business in their respective districts. Mr David Rollo, solicitor, was entrusted with the management of the agency in Lochee; and Mr W. M. Ogilvie acted as accountant. In 1874 the present fine edifice was built on the site of a pretty cottage owned by Dr Graham, a practitioner well known for many years. The Royal Bank for a time enjoyed a monopoly of business, but this exclusiveness was broken in 1872. In that year the City of Glasgow Bank started a branch at east side of Flight's Lane and High Street. With the collapse of that Bank the branch at Lochee came to an end. The branch of the North of Scotland Bank at High Street was inaugurated in 1878, and has since maintained its connection. Later in that year Mr A. G. Fleming, who had successively been associated with the Royal Bank and North of Scotland Bank, began business on his own account in premises almost next door to those that had been occupied by the City of Glasgow Branch. After a brief existence the venture came to an end. With the view of meeting the requirements of the working classes, the Dundee Savings Bank opened an Industrial Branch in Lochee. This was effected on 26th May 1893, when a shop on the High Street, not far from the present branch, was leased. A transference was made to new premises on 27th December 1904. In addition to these facilities, the Post Office Savings Bank is largely taken advantage of, whilst the other Banks have industrial branches attached to them.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND RECREATION GROUNDS.

The combined buildings which embrace a Swimming Bath, Public Library, and Reading-Room, fronting High Street, were the gifts of Mr Thomas Hunter Cox of, Maulesden and Duncarse, a member of the firm of Messrs Cox Brothers, Mr Cox, dying 1st January 1892, left in trust a beefiest which in money and property was valued in the aggregate at £11,000. The bequest was accompanied by a recommendation that the town, to whom it was gifted, should apply it to the erection and endowment of an Institute for behoof of the people of Lochee. Mr Cox's trustees decided that the most needful requirements were proper facilities for bathing and a public library and reading-room. The Town Council, on behalf of the community, accepted the bequest, and agreed to act in accordance with the wishes of the donor and trustees. A building, plain but substantial, was therefore erected, the site being part of the gift. The baths and reading-rooms were opened on 4th December 1895, and the library (the first branch established in the city in connection with the Dundee Free Library) on 1st February 1896. Mr Murray-Robertson, Dundee, was architect. The Library and Reading-Rooms were attended with such success that a large extension will be completed about the beginning of 1912.

The Public Wash-House, which adjoins the Cox Bequest, was erected from designs by the City Architect, and opened on 20th April 1901.
Lochee Park, a recreation ground ostensibly intended for the people of Lochee, but used in common by the city, was the gift of the Cox family, by whom it was placed into the custody of the Town Council. It was opened on 10th May 1892. Consisting of twenty-five acres, it is devoted almost exclusively to athletic purposes. A Gymnasium was added in 1900, and a Bowling Green became one of its appurtenances in 1909.

AN OLD LANDMARK.

The charm of romance hung around such substantialities as tolls and toll-bars. A stream of life, varied and cosmopolitan, flowed daily through their portals, and humanity could be studied in its ever-changing moods.

The main route on the west to and from Dundee and Strathmore. and the numerous towns and villages which populate the latter, was by way of Lochee. About 1826 the earliest toll-bar in that place stood on the ground now covered by the north base of the Railway Bridge, and close to the junction of Loons Road with the main thoroughfare. A year or two thereafter it was removed to Logie Den and rebuilt. For many years this toll-house and toll-bar were familiar landmarks.

The house was built on the site of a disused quarry at the angle of the road, a few yards east of Deaf and Dumb Institution. As every opportunity was taken to avoid the impost, check-bars were erected at the junction of Loons Road with Logie Street and at west end of Burnside Street. Another toll-house latterly guarded the traffic by way of New Muirton Road. When the highways were placed under the control of local authorities, and a general assessment levied for upkeep, the tolls and all their appliances became things of the past. Logie Toll-house was sold, and after reconstruction was let as a private dwelling. Ultimately it was totally removed in 1904 to make room for other types of buildings.

To many of the present generation Lerrick Ha' is an unknown quantity. Lerrick Ha', it may be explained, was a picturesque little hamlet occupying a fine situation in a field a short distance from the south side of Ancrum Road, opposite Gibb's Lane. It was near Balgay Hill, and the valley lay between. Lerrick Ha' was surrounded with trees, and its gardens were neatly laid out. In summer it was a pretty place, and formed a popular resort for the people of the west end of the town. A stream flowed past the foot of the gardens, and meandered towards Logie. This cluster of old-world cottages was demolished about 1850.