Looking through the archive has inspired me to once again to go out and photograph the industrial buildings around the city. Once I picked up Mr Humes’ book i was immediatly hooked, however choosing which entry to photograph is difficult, considering there are so many to choose from, but I usually choose a building at random, then research it to see if it is still there, finding as much info as I can.

 The building I choose to photograph today is the former Sentinel Works in the Toryglen area of the city. Once I had learned that it had been designed by local architect, Archibald Leitch (along with Brand & Lithgow), I knew I had to add it to my archive.  Leitch is more famous for his football stand designs, which have featured at a wide range of clubs, including; Celtic FC (old main stand, demolished 1987), Rangers FC (main stand), Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC to name but a few, but Leitch also designed a number of factories in his home city of Glasgow, the Sentinel Works in Jessie Street is the only surviving one.

It was the first building of any great size to use reinforced concrete in the city of Glasgow, and was built between 1903 -1905.  The structure has been given ‘A’ listed status which hopefully will save it from demolition, but you never know! (Partick Central anyone?)

Before my visit I had seen a few photographs of the works, some in it’s prime from the 1960s, and others more recent. On my arrival I wasn’t prepared for how derelict the building actually is, you can still see the metal framed windows, although the glass has long gone, the front door is however boarded up, but the building still has a very solid presence. I managed to take a few shots of the building, much to the bemusement of the people who were visiting the market in the adjoining building and will be publishing them shortly on this site.

I read that the Toryglen area is to be redeveloped as part of the M74 extension plans, and that the Sentinel Works is expected to be fully restored as part of the plan, let’s hope so.

For more images of the Sentinel Works please visit the Toryglen section of the site, thanks, bye.

References: Hume 1974, I22
http://www.scran.co.uk

Hello, at the moment I’ve been pretty busy uploading the work from the photo archive I have built up over the past few years, I didn’t realise that the volume of images was so high, anyhow this is going to take a while so keep looking in the recent posts section. Each of the photographs is assigned an area, i.e. West End, then they are placed in the local area , i.e. Meadowside. If you see any errors please get in touch and I will ammend them.  

I’ve always had a passion for architecture, especially that of the industrial sort. Having been brought up in a Clydeside town, I have always been aware of how important these structures once were. A few years ago I invested in a copy of The Industrial Archeology of Glasgow by John Hume, it has turned out to be an invaluable source for locating interesting buildings and structures that are often hidden away, perhaps derelict and long forgotten of their initial purpose.

Such was my interest this subject, I decided to begin a photographic record of the buildings contained in the book, this has proved to be an ongoing project, often ending in disappointment when one finds that a building has been demolished, but also a feeling of satisfaction when a structure has been saved from the infamous Glasgow Corporation wreckers ball.

The purpose of this blog is to share the photographs I have taken, and hopefully to inspire others to look around at the marvellous industrial structures the city of Glasgow has in it’s midst. I will be updating this blog on a regular basis, so please make sure you check out the recent posts section.

Garry McCormack , July 2008