If you have walked through Launceston, you have most likely seen Glasgow Engeering’s work.
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The remarkable fountain in City Park? Restored to full glory by the company several years ago.
The City Park gates themselves? Recreated after a car crash revealed extensive damage.
An advertisement in an 1927 edition of The Examiner tells of Glasgow Engineering’s success: “the Queen Victoria Bridge over the North Esk at Tamar Street, engines for the SS Togo and SS Moonah … working at Cataract Hill and Gorge Cliff Grounds”.
Founded in 1892, tucked away on William Street, Glasgow Engineering hides years of Launceston history.
General manager John Hutton’s family has been closely involved in the business for four generations.
Mr Hutton said Glasgow Engineering is unique as it has operated from its original premises since the business was founded.
“It’s the oldest engineering company in Australia still located on its original site,” Mr Hutton said.
The business has roots in earlier engineering companies, fellow icons of Launceston industry: Jackson and Archibald, Salisbury Foundry, the Tamar Foundry, Bogle and Clark.
It’s the oldest engineering company in Australia still located on its original site.
- Glasgow Engineering general manager John Hutton
One of Glasgow Engineering’s best-known directors was Allen Morris, born in South Australia in 1865 before arriving in Launceston as a young man.
Mr Morris worked his way up to foreman at Glasgow Engineering before becoming works manager.
He became a name in Launceston society, leading social improvement, community development and city construction.
During the terrible floods of April 1929, a notice was published thanking Mr Morris and The Examiner staff for their success in getting the paper to press.
“To the loyalty of all staffs the proprietors are indebted for the issue of the paper on Saturday,” the article read.
“Mr. Allen Morris, of the Glasgow Engineering Company, gave unremitting attention to the numerous mechanical problems involved at a time when his home was practically submerged by the flood, and Mr. L. R. Reynolds placed the Messrs Heathorn's resources at the disposal of the paper in order to provide lighting.”
Mr Hutton said Mr Morris took over as manager of Glasgow Engineering when Edwin Bogle retired, but stayed only a short few years before retiring due to ill-health. making way for Bart Hutton.
Behind the Edwardian brick facade of the Glasgow Engineering building, Mr Hutton said years of history can be discovered.
Patents, diagrams, miniature steam engines in working order, old machinery and the marks of age on scarred brick and timber walls all tell the story of Launceston’s engineering history, in hidden moments.
