Home > Memories >

A brief history of Stevenston

14 July
  • Stevenston has a long and proud history - share your stories here!
  • Stevenston High Kirk has been a focal point of the town for many years
  • Share your stories of Stevenston's past on s1stevenston

Stevenston has a long and proud history, Here are just some of the major dates in the history of the town.

1678 - Deep Shank Pit - first in the area, sunk

1833 - High Kirk dedicated

1857 - Ardeer Bowling Club formed.

1870 - Alfred Nobel forms British Dynamite Company - production starts at Ardeer in 1873

1871 - Plague monument erected to victims of cholera outbreak in mid 19th century

1952 - Stevenston receives burgh status

1969 - Stevenston Musical Society formed


Now it's your turn!

That's the briefest of brief summaries, and hardly covers the most important dates. But this is where you come in. There's lots of interest in local history and lots of local knowledge out there - so why not share it here? To add to the time-line, all you have to do is click on the edit button.

Or perhaps you'd like to start your own article about another aspect of Stevenston history? You can do that, too. There must also be a wealth of wonderful photographs of old Stevenston - maybe even some video of more recent events - and those are more than welcome here.


Post it all here, and let's see if we can really chronicle the history of Stevenston in a way we can all share!


21 March | 12:16:27

helen norwood says

I think the site is a great idea. I look forward to having time to contribute once I retire.

21 March | 9:34:40

sharyn stobie says

Looking for the history of Boglemart street - I believe we still have hunting and fishing rights according to our missives.

25 October | 1:17:33

Lynne Hadley says

My 5th great-grandfather, William Finnie, married his first wife (my 5th great-grandmother, was Ann Boyd, who he married in Kilmarnock in 1745), Mary Wilson (the daughter of James Wilson in or around Largs), in Stevenston in 1736.  The Finnies went on to found a bit of a dynasty, and although William was a hammerman in a foundry when he married both of his wives, his descendants married very well.  One of his descendants (my 4th cousin, Katharine McEwen) was the Queen Mother's bridesmaid, probably returning the favour, since the Queen Mother was her bridesmaid prior to this.  One of the family's companys was instrumental in the founding of the Empire of Brazil.  I tell everybody that the rise in the family's fortunes was due to Scots ingenuity...coupled with a lot of elbow grease!  My heart's desire is to visit Ayrshire and walk along the streets where my ancestors once walked.  I'm very proud of my Ayrshire heritage. 

11 December | 8:09:07

Ron Fitzsimons says

Well being a Saltcoats lad that worked in the Dynamite ( Ardeer Factory ) from 1946 to 1950 then I had to do my 2 years National Service being called up and joined the Artillary as a radio operator and was sent to Egypt, where I did 18 months of my two years, it was very interesting in Egypt going down to the villages and bartering for a pair of shoes or a watch. So actually I do not know very much about Stevenston except going to the Grange theatre once in awhile back in the 1940's, but now being out in Canada for 57 years I am only going to be learning anything about Stevenston that is posted in Facebook here.

Cheers, All the best for the season.

Ron Fitzsimons.

Have your say...

Add your own comment

Add

You need to be logged in to add memories & pictures. If you haven't already, it's quick & easy to Sign up.

Sorry, there were some problems with your request

Please check that the email address you are using is the same one that you signed up with. If you have forgotten your password we can send you a reminder.

Sign In
  4. Forgotten Password?

Sorry, there were some problems with your request

Please check that the email address you are using is the same one that you signed up with.

Password reminder

  1. If you have forgotten your password, simply enter the email address associated with your account below and we will send you a link to reset it.

    Please note for security reasons the link will expire within 1 hour. After that you will need to request another link.

  4. <<Return to Login

Your sign in details have been retrieved and an email is on its way to you!

<<Return to Login

Contribute

  1. By posting on s1stevenston you’re agreeing to abide by our Posting Policy. Your email address won’t be displayed to the public.

  1. Here's your chance to make sure your contribution is exactly as you'd like it.

  3. Your photos will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

    Your video will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

    Your photos and video will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

  4. By clicking 'send it' you’re agreeing to abide by our Posting Policy.

Memories, Nostalgia & History

History doesn't have to be in black & white

Your memory of a local character or a school photo from the last ten years can be just as interesting as wars and Victorians.

Add

You need to be logged in to add memories & pictures. If you haven't already, it's quick & easy to Sign up.

Sorry, there were some problems with your request

Please check that the email address you are using is the same one that you signed up with. If you have forgotten your password we can send you a reminder.

Sign In
  4. Forgotten Password?

Sorry, there were some problems with your request

Please check that the email address you are using is the same one that you signed up with.

Password reminder

  1. If you have forgotten your password, simply enter the email address associated with your account below and we will send you a link to reset it.

    Please note for security reasons the link will expire within 1 hour. After that you will need to request another link.

  4. <<Return to Login

Your sign in details have been retrieved and an email is on its way to you!

<<Return to Login

Contribute

  1. Write as much or as little as you like. Sometimes just a picture says it all, although please give enough detail for people to know what it is.

    Posting Tips

  4. If your contribution is about a specific location, please enter the nearest postcode (if known)

  1. Here's your chance to make sure your contribution is exactly as you'd like it.

  3. Your photos will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

    Your video will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

    Your photos and video will be uploaded when you click 'Send it'

  4. By clicking 'send it' you’re agreeing to abide by our Posting Policy.

More stevenston Memories

Want a site like this for your community? Suggest a new location
© Herald & Times Group. All rights reserved.
Contact us | Terms of use | Privacy policy | Newsquest Media Group