Johnstone History Museum
Johnstone History Society • Scotland

The Gallery » Early History

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Item ID: 9169

The Laird's plan included an area at the side of the River Black Cart to house his planned Cotton Mill. The plan included a High Street, a George Street after his own name, a McDowall Street after his wife's maiden name, a Collier Street to house his miners who worked in his Coal Mines at Quarrelton, a Church Street where he planned to build a Church which would later become the High Parish Church.

The area marked "Good Dry Land" would become an open area, Houston Square. A second open area marked "all dryland" would become Ludovic Square, named after his son. A street at the opposite side from Church Street would be named William Street after his other son.

You will see from the Plan, that the Laird was kind enough to plan a Bleaching Field near the river so the women of his town could wash and bleach their clothes.