Lennoxtown

   LENNOXTOWN, a village, in the parish of Campsie, county of Stirling, 3 miles (N. W. by W.) from Kirkintilloch; containing 2821 inhabitants. This is a considerable place, situated in the centre of the parish, and deriving its name from the family of Lennox, of Woodhead, on whose property it is built. It is about nine miles north of Glasgow, and nearly a mile south of the base of Campsie fells; and the road from Kirkintilloch to the village of Campsie passes through it. On account of its very centrical position, and its proximity to large public works, it has now become the residence of almost one-half of the population of the parish. Here are prepared the various chemical products of the Campsie alum-work, at the east end of the village; and in the neighbourhood are several coal-mines and limekilns. The printing of calico is extensively carried on: indeed, the Lennox-mill printfield is said to be the largest establishment of the kind in Scotland, employing upwards of 700 persons. The Kincaid and Lillyburn printfields, and Clachan and Glenmill bleachfields, are in the vicinity of the village, and are also very extensive concerns, in which a great number of hands are engaged: all these works are within the parish. Numerous individuals are likewise employed in a variety of handicraft trades; and few places are the scenes of greater enterprise and industry. Both sheriff's courts and justice-of-peace courts are held in the village, which is also the polling-place for the district. A postoffice has been established under Glasgow. Among the most striking objects around Lennoxtown, is the elegant and newly-built mansion of Lennox Castle, the residence of J. L. Kincaid Lennox, Esq., the superior of the village; this splendid edifice was commenced in 1837, and completed in 1841, and is in the boldest style of the old Norman architecture. The principal entrance is by a handsome portcochere on the north front; and from the lofty towers, which overtop the aged trees that formerly adorned the ancient mansion-house of Woodhead, is a prospect of considerable extent and beauty. The grounds surrounding the castle are laid out with artistical taste, and plans for their improvement and extension are still in operation. The parochial church, a handsome edifice, built in 1829, is situated here; and a spacious school-house, consisting of two large rooms, one of which is at present used as a juvenile, and the other as an infant school, has lately been erected by Messrs. Lennox and Dalglish, assisted by subscribers, for the benefit of the numerous children in the locality. A Roman Catholic priest resides in the village, for the superintendence of the Irish population in Campsie, amounting to between 600 and 1000 persons; and there is a place of worship for the Relief persuasion.