The sixties were a defining era for the world with it being one of the most tumultuous and divisive decades in history with Glasgow not being immune to the decade of counterculture.
It was a decade where The Beatles shot to fame, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon and Martin Luther King Jr made historic “I Have a Dream” speech to an audience on 250,000 people. The contrast to that was that the US increased their military authority in Vietnam, President John F. Kennedy was assasinated and there was the threat of nuclear war between the US and Soviet Union after the Cuban Missile Crisis.
As Glasgow looked on, the city was starting to rapidly change in the post-war years with many still suffering from poverty. Tenements were starting to become a thing of the past as families saw high rising living as the new way forward. One major event during the sixties for the city was when Glasgow said goodbye to their beloved tram cars with their final day in operation being on September 4, 1962.
The following 24 pictures aim to show the changing landscape of the city through Glaswegian’s public transport, buildings and streets in a defining decade.
9. Casino Cinema
The cinema on Castle Street in Townhead said farewell to Glasgow in 1965 before it became a bingo hall until demolition in 1973. | Glasgow Libraries
10. Overnight sleeper
The new Nightcap Bar on the London to Glasgow overnight sleeper train with guests enjoying a refreshment in 1964. | Getty Images
11. European Cup final
Alfredo Di Stefano of Real Madrid scores his team’s second goal during the European Cup Final against Eintracht at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Real Madrid won 7-3 against Eintracht Frankfurt. | Getty Images
12. The Pittodrie Bar
The Pittodrie Bar was found on the corner of Cowcaddens St and West Nile St with this photograph being dated as 1963. Cowcaddens was completely redeveloped in the late sixties. | Glasgow City Archives