St Enoch’s Station Hotel c1890-1900. By Photochrom Print Collection [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsGlasgow used to have four railway stations in the centre of the city; now it only has two. St Enoch’s is one that got away – it functioned between 1876 and 1966, though the hotel was not demolished till 1977. On the site today stands a modern glass shopping mall. Progress? Glasgow has lost many similarly splendid buildings to the developers over the years, though the other side of St Enoch Square has fared better. The Royal Bank of Scotland, for example, is adorned by early 20th century statues of Prudence and Adventure, and the red sandstone building in the middle of the square is the former ticket hall of the St Enoch subway station. It’s now a branch of a well-known chain of coffee shops.
St Enoch Square
St Enoch Centre
Prudence and Adventure
St Enoch Square
St Enoch Centre
So, St Enoch – are you wondering who HE might be? Wrong! St Enoch is a corruption of St Teneu (or Thenew), a 6th-century princess who was the mother of St Kentigern (aka Mungo – confused yet?) St Enoch Square allegedly marks the site of a medieval chapel dedicated to Thenew, built on or near her grave. As for Mungo, we’ll be meeting him again – he founded Glasgow. Gallus!
Tomorrow, F takes us even further back in time – millions of years.
Oh, it’s such a shame when beautiful historic buildings are torn down to make way for ‘modern development’ and such. Reminds me of the awful Penn Station in NYC- it used to be gorgeous, like Grand Central is, and now it’s an abysmal underground place with no natural light and no aesthetic appeal.
It’s always funny to see the juxtaposition of modern buildings next to old ones, though!
I can’t imagine what they were thinking to have torn down such a lovely building. The older buildings have so much more character than the newer ones. Love the sandstone one. It’s almost like a miniature castle. That’s really interesting about St. Enoch, though how that name came from Thenew I couldn’t guess. Definitely confusing.
Hi Anabel! I have always been fascinated by the places I see when I travel and with this A-Z challenge I dont even have to go to places physically to enjoy scenic views. You got pretty photos here and makes me want to travel again soon! Thanks for sharing this!
What an absolutely beautiful place, the majestic building, the surroundings, and of course, the history behind it. I would have never known the meaning behind the name, and you made it so interesting, Anabel. Well done.
Enoch is a 6th century princess? Wonderful! Not so wonderful that the buildings are being torn down there. I find modern architecture is so ugly compared to what we used to build!
There are some good new buildings, but many are awful. Unfortunately, the busiest period for tearing down / replacing was the 60s / 70s but many of those buildings are now going too. They are less lamented!
![St Enoch's Station c1890-1900. By Photochrom Print Collection [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ASt._Enoch's_Station%2C_Glasgow%2C_Scotland-LCCN2001706005.jpg)
Such a shame when beautiful old buildings are lost.
LikeLike
And it seems to happen so often – grrrr!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a funny feeling this post would be about St. Enoch. I did not know the name came from a woman. 🙂
Cait @ Click’s Clan
LikeLike
Took me years to discover!
LikeLike
Oh, it’s such a shame when beautiful historic buildings are torn down to make way for ‘modern development’ and such. Reminds me of the awful Penn Station in NYC- it used to be gorgeous, like Grand Central is, and now it’s an abysmal underground place with no natural light and no aesthetic appeal.
It’s always funny to see the juxtaposition of modern buildings next to old ones, though!
LikeLike
Criminal damage!
Sometimes new and old work together, sometimes not. In general I think architects and builders are becoming more sensitive to the surrounding area.
LikeLike
I can’t imagine what they were thinking to have torn down such a lovely building. The older buildings have so much more character than the newer ones. Love the sandstone one. It’s almost like a miniature castle. That’s really interesting about St. Enoch, though how that name came from Thenew I couldn’t guess. Definitely confusing.
LikeLike
I think my A to Z is in danger of becoming a rant about all the lost buildings of Glasgow!
I wonder how Thenew was pronounced in whatever language she spoke? If it was quite guttural it could explain some of the transition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
To answer your question at the end, yes, I am confused. However, I did enjoy the photos.
LikeLike
Those names are very confusing!
LikeLike
Hi Anabel! I have always been fascinated by the places I see when I travel and with this A-Z challenge I dont even have to go to places physically to enjoy scenic views. You got pretty photos here and makes me want to travel again soon! Thanks for sharing this!
LikeLike
Thanks Kristine – glad you’re enjoying your armchair travel!
LikeLike
What an absolutely beautiful place, the majestic building, the surroundings, and of course, the history behind it. I would have never known the meaning behind the name, and you made it so interesting, Anabel. Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks Silvia!
LikeLike
Enoch is a 6th century princess? Wonderful! Not so wonderful that the buildings are being torn down there. I find modern architecture is so ugly compared to what we used to build!
LikeLike
There are some good new buildings, but many are awful. Unfortunately, the busiest period for tearing down / replacing was the 60s / 70s but many of those buildings are now going too. They are less lamented!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha, I’ll bet! A terrible time period for architecture!
LikeLike
How fascinating that St. Enoch was a girl! This is a fun fact!
LikeLike
Took me years of living here to find out!
LikeLiked by 1 person