A trip down memory lane to Eastwood of old

The Extra’s weekly Window to the Past continues to prove popular with local history buffs.
Above: Nellie's Toll, 1906. Below: Old Smiddy, 1905. Bottom: Eastwood House, 1899.Above: Nellie's Toll, 1906. Below: Old Smiddy, 1905. Bottom: Eastwood House, 1899.
Above: Nellie's Toll, 1906. Below: Old Smiddy, 1905. Bottom: Eastwood House, 1899.

Our weekly trip down memory lane has made some of you nostalgic for Eastwood of old — including Thornliebank man Bill McCue, who sent us a selection of vintage postcards.

Bill commented: “There have been a lot of pics in The Extra of Harriet St recently. I was born and raised in Pollokshaws not too far away - great to see the old pictures, brings back memories of growing up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I came across these old postcards while clearing out some old files and thought they might be of interest.

“The Old Smiddy is where the Co-op building now stands, next to the library. Haven’t a clue where Nellie’s Toll is.”

Thanks to East Renfrewshire’s Heritage Collection (available online) we can solve one mystery: Nellie’s Toll, pictured here in 1906, is the former name for Eastwood Toll.

Built in 1833, the toll was established as a result of the Turnpike Road Act and the money raised from it was used for road improvements.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is thought that the toll was originally named after a tollkeeper whose service ended around 1870.

Also pictured are Eastwood House in 1899 and the Old Smiddy at Thornliebank in 1905.

Can you shed any more light on our trip down memory lane? Get in touch by email (address above) or write to us at 5000 Academy Park, Gower St, Glasgow G51 1PT.

Related topics: