Bridgeton is one of Glasgow’s most historic and proud districts in the East End - it boasts a storied history, well worth exploring.
Like many small towns along the River Clyde, Bridgeton started out as a small weaving village in 1705 - historically it was part of Lanarkshire, until the expansion of industrial Glasgow during the Victorian era swallowed up the town in 1846, making it part of Glasgow’s East End.
Bridgeton earned its name through the construction of the Rutherglen bridge which was put in place in 1776, making the area become known as ‘Bridge Town’, or Brig toun in Scots, eventually becoming Bridgeton, as we know it today.
The town turned East End Glasgow district has nurtured many of the cities famous faces, such as boxer Jim Watt, Frankie Miller, Barras founder Maggie McIver, David Hayman, and Jim Diamond.
Take a look below as we explore the history of Bridgeton in 10 pictures.
Bridgeton earned its name through the construction of the Rutherglen bridge which was put in place in 1776, making the area become known as ‘Bridge Town’, or Brig toun in Scots, eventually becoming Bridgeton, as we know it today.
![Behind the counter at the Premier Café on Bridgeton Main Street](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/19/10/46/Premier%20Cafe.png?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
5. The Premier Cafe, date unknown
Behind the counter at the Premier Café on Bridgeton Main Street | Virtual Mitchell
![Bridgeton Cross, Glasgow, is inundated with floodwaters after torrential rains caused rivers to burst their banks in October 1954.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/05/24/08/GettyImages-3255090.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Bridgeton Cross, 1954
Bridgeton Cross, Glasgow, is inundated with floodwaters after torrential rains caused rivers to burst their banks in October 1954. | Getty Images
![A first communion procession make their way through Bridgeton in the mid-20th century.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/19/10/15/First%20communion%201955.png?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
7. First communion procession, c.1955
A first communion procession make their way through Bridgeton in the mid-20th century. | Virtual Mitchell
![Road works on Bridgeton Cross](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/19/10/49/Bridgeton%20Cross%201939.png?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
8. Bridgeton Cross, 1939
Road works on Bridgeton Cross | Virtual Mitchell