Category:George Square
From Glasgow
George Square is regarded as the centre of the city as this is the location of the City Chambers (Glasgow's main public building) as well as being Glasgow's main open space. It is bordered to the east by North Frederick Street, to the west by Queen Street, and to the north and south by George Street and Cochrane Street respectively.
Dominated by a statue of Sir Walter Scott perched on a tall column, plus eleven other statues spotted around the square of Queen Victoria, Robert Burns, Prince Albert, James Watt, Sir John Moore, Lord Clyde, Thomas Campbell, Dr. Thomas Graham, James Oswald, William Gladstone and Sir Robert Peel. Conspicuous by his absence is King George III after whom the square is named.
Originally set out with grassed areas, plant beds and trees, in approximately 1996 it was redesigned with most of the flora removed and replaced with red asphalt.
The square is use for large public gatherings, public rallies, protests, welcoming in the New Year.
The most infamous demonstration in George Square, Black Friday occured on the 31st January 1919.
George Square is available for use for a variety of events, to book the entire square for a day, the council's Land Services department will charge £893.
[edit] History
Constructed in 1781 in what was previously an area of marshland. However, years later it was still being described as a "hollow, filled with green water". Some sources quote "sheep still grazed on grass there well into the 19th century". Large two and three storey houses were built around it between 1787 and the 1820s. Only the hotel remains from these original buildings. The square itself was given over to private gardens which only the privileged householders could use; this so annoyed other Glaswegians that its railings were torn down on several occasions. Later the council discovered (as an 1872 guide relates) "that the whole enclosure belonged to the public who has been so long excluded from it". Toward the late 19th century with the construction of the City Chambers, the main Post Office and Queen Street Station the square became increasingly more important.
[edit] Statues
- Scott Monument - 1837 Column by David Rhind and statue of Sir Walter Scott by John Greenshields carved by A Handyside Ritchie.
- Cenotaph - 1921 -24 by Sir J J Burnet Lions and figure of St Mungo by Ernest Gillick.
- Thomas Graham, Chemist – 1872 by William Brodie cast by R Masefield and Son of Chelsea
- Thomas Campbell man of letters – 1877 by John Mossman
- Lord Clyde, Indian Army commander – 1868 by J H Foley
- Sir John Moore, Peninsular War commander – 1819 by John Flaxman
- Robert Burns, Poet – 1877 by George Edwin Ewing , reliefs by J A Ewing cast by Cox and Son.
- James Watt, engineer and inventor – 1832 by Chantrey
- Queen Victoria equestrian – 1854 by Baron Marochetti.
- Prince Albert , equestrian - 1866 by Baron Marochetti.
- Robert Peel, Prime Minister – 1859 by John Mossman
- William Gladstone, Prime Minister – 1902 by W Hamo Thornycroft.
- James Oswald, Member of Parliament – 1856 by Baron Marochetti.
There is also a George Square in Edinburgh.
[edit] External Links
- webcam — George Square: java no java (View from the east side)
- webcam — George Square: java no java (View from the west side)
- Christmas display lights up the city (Evening Times, Nov 2005)
- Image of George Square circa 1966
Pages in category "George Square"
The following 3 pages are in this category, out of 3 total.
