Elder Park is a public park in the Govan area of Glasgow, Scotland, located a short distance south of the River Clyde, to the east of the Linthouse neighbourhood. It contains , a boating pond, the original Fairfield farmhouse, and Linthouse Mansion portico.
History The park was given to the people of Govan in 1885 by Isabella Elder, in memory of her husband, the shipbuilding magnate John Elder.Lasting legacy of Govan's first 'lady' Isabella Elder, Nerys Tunnicliffe, Glasgow Times, 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2022 It was created on the site of Fairfield farm, the farmhouse of which still stands. The headquarters of the family's Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company were directly opposite the park to the north on Govan Road – the buildings still exist as the Fairfield Heritage Centre. Elder gifted the park for "healthful recreation by music and amusement".
The park's sandstone entrance gates were refurbished during 2021, with a small ceremony taking place at the conclusion of the project in February 2022.Elder Park Gates Ribbon Cutting, Get Into Govan, 4 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022Govan K13 memorial safeguarded for future, Glasgow Times, 15 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022
Buildings lies at the south-eastern end of the park, on Langlands Road. It was opened in September 1903 by Andrew Carnegie, gifted to the people of Glasgow by Isabella Elder, and designed by John James Burnett. It is a Category A listed building.Glasgow Life's plan to revamp Elder Park library revealed, Glasgow Times, 23 June 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2022
The Linthouse Mansion was built in 1791, however the only remaining part of the house now is the portico.
Statues and memorials
There are two statues within the park, (Sir J. E. Boehm, 1906, Category A listed),"Lady Elder" Mitchell Library, Glasgow Collection, Postcards Collection, The Glasgow Story and one to her husband John Elder (Archibald Shannan, 1888, Category B listed).Statue Of John Elder, Elder Park, Glasgow, British Listed BuildingsElder Statue, Elder Park Mitchell Library, Glasgow Collection, Postcards Collection, The Glasgow Story There are also two memorials, commemorating the SS Daphne disaster in 1883The Daphne Disaster , Lost Glasgow, 3 July 2020SS 'Daphne' Memorial, Art UK and the HMS K13 submarine disaster in 1917,K13 Memorial Mitchell Library, Glasgow Collection, Bulletin Photographs, The Glasgow StoryTragic tale behind K13 submarine memorial in Glasgow's Elder Park, Ann Fotheringhay, Glasgow Times, 11 September 2021 both of which involved the death of local shipyard workers (from Stephens and Fairfields respectively).
See also List of Category A listed buildings in Glasgow
References
External links