Moving Monuments: December 2010

This beautiful structure of the Queen was built originally at the centre of St. Vincent Place and Buchanan Street. It arrived by steamer from London.
Moved to George Square with the statue of Prince Albert in 1866.

This commemoration of famous medical missionary David Livingstone was originally built at the west side of George Square. The sculpture itself includes Livingstone surrounded by a palm tree, various discarded leg-irons, and pictorial reliefs of grateful 'natives.'
The sculpture was relocated to Cathedral Square facing Provand's Lordship in 1960.
In 1990 it was moved only a few meters to the north to its current location because of the division of a processional route to the cathedral.

The largest three-story structure terra-cotta fountain in the entire world, The Doultan Fountain was designed by A.E. Pearce of Doulton's for the Glasgow Exhibition at Kelvingrove Park.
In 1890 it was moved to the Glasgow Green
It was finally relocated to its current location at the front of the People's Palace in 2005 following a five million pound refurbishment.

This stately monument of the Scottish politician and member of Parliament was originally located in Sandyford Place off Sauchiehall Street (before the M8).
In 1875 it was relocated to the northeast corner of George Square. Oswald's family and supporters were unhappy that only Oswald's rival, Robert Peel, was represented in the Square without his opponent.
The monument currently enjoys the reputation as "Man with the Hat," as Oswald's hat occasionally needs to be cleared out of stones thrown in from passerby.

The splendid McLennan Arch was built by Robert (1728-92) and James Adam (1732-94) as the centerpiece of the facade to the Assembly Rooms on Ingram Street.
The rooms were intended as a community center for social gatherings, music, and cultural activities. The rooms were demolished in 1892 to make way for the General Post Office, however the arch was preserved and moved to Moneith Row near Greendyke Street.
The arch was then moved again in 1922 to Glasgow Green opposite Charlotte Street.
Due to a faulty foundation the arch was moved again in 1991 to a central location opposite the Judiciary Building at Saltmarket where it can still be seen today. The structure now featured a classical design depicting the god Orpheus and the Three Graces.

The magnificent statue of the controversial figure Prince William of Orange as Roman emperor was originally built at Glasgow Cross. The project was funded by James Macrae, formerly the governor of Madras
It then moved to its current site in Cathedral Square in 1923. Interestingly, the tail of the horse WIlliam is riding moves inside a ball and socket, apparently to prevent it breaking during riots.

This superb structure of the British Liberal statesman and scholar was erected in George Square opposite City Chambers
Later moved across George Square in 1923 to its present location to make way for the centotaph. It's removal was 'a source of great interest to the moving crowds about the centre of the city' (Glasgow Herald, 1923)

Thursday, 2 December 2010