These dates are all to be found within a few yards of each other in the centre of Kirkton village.The weighbridge (1867) was made in the Palmerston Foundry, on Terregles Street. At that time it was the largest in Dumfries.
The map below, from about 1855 shows the village as it was at that time, with the school and smithy in Barrasgate.
The date 1902 is above the Village Hall. Kirkton Hall was
built with stone from the old Kirkton school as a library with reading room and
meeting place. It was also used for
dances and lectures. Transport from
Dumfries was available for the opening concert and ball on Friday, 17th
April 1903, leaving Dumfries at 7 p.m, and returning either at 10.30 p.m. or
4.30 a.m.!
One of the early rules was “No spitting allowed except in spittoons
provided”. The reading room was open
every evening and several newspapers were available. Also dominoes, draughts
and chess. It cost 1d per week to belong
to the 'Kirkmahoe Hall Library and Institute',
The house dated 1889 is also on the map but possibly was
an older building which was rebuilt at this time to create a modern villa.
These dates, being close together, suggest that Kirkton was undergoing
many changes as it entered the 20th Century.
Posts
