Site history notes
When he was only 16 years old James Smith went to America where he sold stoves and other hardware in Jackson, Missippissi. On his return to Scotland in 1854, he opened a shop in Glasgow selling American style stoves. Stephen Wellstood joined the business in 1858. At first Smith designed and assembled the stoves which were made at various foundries, notably the Union Foundry at Lock 16. Then, in 1860, they bought the site of the old chemical works on the south side of the Forth & Clyde Canal at Bonnybridge, and within 6 weeks James Russell (a Glasgow engineer) had erected a new works for them. George Ure, of the Union Foundry, was now a partner. He was responsible for the foundry (which operated under the name of Ure & Co), while Smith & Wellstood had a warehouse adjacent, and their outlet in Union St, Glasgow. Business expanded to such a degree that in 1870 a new foundry was constructed for the production of sewing machine castings and such items on the other side of the road and called Bonnybridge Foundry. It was mutually agreed that this should become the possession of Ure and his family, while the old foundry would revert to the production of stoves and ranges for Smith & Wellstood. In 1873 they purchased the Columbian Stove Works from Ure, and Ure & Co became known as George Ure & Co. However, the latter firm suffered from the withdrawal of the sewing machine contract, and in 1890 the two firms amalgamated. By this time Smith and Wellstood had become a limited company, taking this status in 1886, the same year in which both its founders died. The company continued to expand thereafter, having its own gasworks and brickworks. In 1898, for example, several acres of adjoining ground were purchased and new patterns introduced. By this time there were 4 cupolas in use, the works were so busy that they cast on 6 rather than 5 days a week, and rainwater goods were being produced. In 1977, after a short period in decline as solid fuel was replaced, they were acquired by Newman Industries Ltd. There was another take-over in 1980 when a consortium (consisting of general Accident Life Assoc of Scotland and Melville Store investments) bought them. In the following year the renewed confidence was manifested in the form of a mural. The optimism was misplaced, the old foundry site was demolished in 1995 and houses built there in 1997. Part of the works still operates on the other side of the road. 1879 250 employees.
Site conservation date
1854 {PRESENT}
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Sites and Monument Record: Columbian Stove Works (SMR 536)
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