Glasgow Necropolis - Fir Park

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Glasgow Necropolis

 

What is now called the Glasgow Necropolis had once been part of the vast property of Wester Craigs but this land had been purchased by the Merchants’ House in 1650. But the west side of the land was rocky and development was difficult, almost impossible. To remedy this problem, fir trees were planted and the area thus became know as Fir Park.

But in 1804, the park’s Scot Firs began to perish and other trees replaced them, mainly elms and willows. The lot then became an arboretum and Victorian park. It was in 1825 that the John Knox monument foundation stone was first placed in Fir Park.

The Necropolis has the distinction of being one of the few cemeteries that kept records of its occupants. These records included their profession, sex, ages, and cause of death.

The Merchants’ House turned over the Necropolis in 1966 to the City Council of Glasgow which now maintains and administers to it. For purposes of maintenance, the grave surrounds and benches have been dismantled and most of the place has been put to grass.

Major sculptors and architects of the period such as JT Rochead, Charles Rennie Macintosh, and Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson designed many structures in the Glasgow Necropolis. These structures

were built in different styles of architecture. These were commissioned by the ‘Second City of the Empire’s’ powerful and wealthy businessmen.

Even today, the Glasgow Necropolis still retains its wonderful ambience and attracts many visitors both local and foreign.