The New Public Halls, Grand Public Demonstration in Connection with Laying the Memorial Stone, May 1875

A substantial article in The Glasgow Herald, on Thursday the 13th of May, page four, outlines the route of the ceremonial procession, which was “expected to be one of the most imposing which has taken place for some years in this city,” and the history of the different proposals to construct suitable halls for concerts, meetings, and other major public events in Glasgow.

 

It was arranged for Colonel W. Montgomerie Neilson, Provincial Grand Master of the masonic brethren, to lay the stone on Saturday the 22nd of May. The Freemasons were scheduled to meet at the Queen’s Rooms, where they would be joined by the Lord Provost and Magistrates, representatives of other public bodies in Glasgow, as well as by the chairman and directors of the Public Halls Company.

 

From the Queen’s Rooms, the procession would march through the West End Park, along Park Terrace, Woodlands Terrace, Sauchiehall Street, and Bath Street to the site of the new halls. At this location, a platform would be erected to accommodate the various bodies taking part in the procession, and the shareholders of the company and their friends. There would be a military band, and “anthems appropriate to the ceremony” would be sung by a select choir.

 

The article also provides interesting details about the building, which was under construction at the time of its publication.