Number 50

                                               Please note all dates are approximate. 

If you have any further information, documents, photos or memories about this shop  let us know in the comments section at the bottom or on Annan The History Town Group Facebook page. 

If you click/tap on a photo it will enlarge that photo and give you the pictures as a slideshow.

Alexander Allan Reoch, son of Alexander Reoch, was born in 1894 and was a decorator in Annan - at one time in partnership with Mr. Elliott. He was married to Elizabeth and died in 1941 at the age of only 47.

  

  

  

    

Number 94

                                          Please note all dates are approximate. 

If you have any further information, documents, photos or memories about this shop  let us know in the comments section at the bottom or on Annan The History Town Group Facebook page. 

If you click/tap on a photo it will enlarge that photo and give you the pictures as a slideshow.

1898 Albert Hotel. proprietor Matthew Richardson

1902 Albert Hotel, proprietor Mrs McGlasson & daughters.

Memories: After Government take-over it was never used as a pub again but was leased to Eskdale Creamery. There was just a narrow lane (no more than 6 feet wide) between it and Number 96, giving access to Gracie's Banking, until the creamery was demolished to make an entrance to the bus station.

1911 Annandale Observer

Thanks to Nicholson's at No 33 

1924-25 Eskdale Creamery

1980's RoM

1976 Offices Mitchell & Brown (1st & 2nd floor)

1979 empty

Demolished

Number 9

 Please note all dates are approximate. 

If you have any further information, documents, photos or memories about this shop  let us know in the comments section at the bottom or on Annan The History Town Group Facebook page. 

If you click/tap on a photo it will enlarge that photo and give you the pictures as a slideshow.

© P&V Russell

The building including Numbers 5, 7 & 9 is a Category A Listed Building. Category A means it is of national importance.

The listing says 'Mid 18th century, large classical 3 storey house with basement. Alterations in late 19th century enlarging ground & first floor openings... Main central doorway approached by steps with iron railings, ... recessed panelled door with fanlight... sash windows with 12 pane glazing...'

Statement of special interest: Purchased by burgh council in 1790's and became the burgh academy... converted to dwelling house by one time Provost, James Little. 

1780   Bridge House was originally built as an inn, possibly the Queensberry Hotel, but was purchased  by the council in 1802 to house Annan Academy. 

1804/1805 Annan Academy opened and the first rector was William Dalgliesh

RoM 1990

Note the buildings to the left of Bridge House. These were demolished when a petrol station was built here, which itself was demolished for the extension of Port Street in the 1990's.

Annan Academy remained here until the council built a new school in Ednam Street in 1820. Thomas Carlyle, Victorian essayist, and Edward Irving, radical preacher, were both educated at the academy.

RoM 1985

Towards the end of the 20th century the building fell into disrepair, and was put on the "at risk" register. 

In the early 2000's the Friends of Annandale & Eskdale Museums came up with a plan to restore it to its former glory. They wanted to offer it for community use and build a museum for East Dumfriesshire, with a garden behind the house. It would offer rooms for meetings and for research into family, clan and emigration history. There would be a permanent display space for their collection of paintings and artefacts and room for temporary exhibions.

© A Wilkins

© A Wilkins

However this did not come to fruition and by 2004 D&G Council declared it surplus to requirements. 

2008  Bridge House was put on the market and bought by a developer who set to and restored the            building, using  traditional techniques and craftsmen.

It is now a private dwelling. 

Number 11 - 21

Alex Blaylock tells us that when the new access to Port Street and Carlyle's Place was constructed in 1994 shops at Numbers 11, 13, 17 & 19 had to be demolished. 

An early photo of the Academy at Bridge End shows some of the shops that were demolished.

1985 RoM

Number 13

1905 Shortridge & Sons Dyers

1920 M&M Beattie, Baker/flour dealer

1926 Hannah Kirkpatrick confectioner (and No 11 Teashop)

1935 John Mason Tailor, draper (also No 11)

1965 Ruinous

1911 Annandale Observer

Number 17

1902 John McKimmie, Ironmonger

1908 W D Mitchell, Chemist

1914 A Hogg, Chemist

1920 John Wood & Son

1922 John Henderson, Fruiterer

1934 M Cole, Fruiterer

1937 Empty

1938 Rapid Dry Cleaners

1942 Misses Reid & Scott, Ladies & children outfitter

1947-1965 A Baird shop, office

17 1902 D Watt Directory

1911 Annandale Observer

1935 RoM

Number 19 & 21 became one shop when bought by JG McQueen

1902 J G McQueen Drapery, Art, Furnishings

1934 Empty

1937 Misses Reid & Scott, Ladies & Children wear

1942 War Dept

1945 Empty

1947 A Baird & Sons, with Nos.17 & 19 listed as Showroom from 1949

This was demolished to make a petrol station 

Then in the 1990s this was demolished to make the 'New' Port Street road.

1920's QofB

Number 69

Please note that all dates are approximate.

If you have any further information, documents, photos or memories about this shop  let us know in the comments section at the bottom or on Annan The History Town Group Facebook page. 

If you click/tap on a photo it will enlarge that photo and give you the pictures as a slideshow.

  

© V. Russell

67,69 & 71 is a Category B Listed Building. Category B means it is of regional importance. The listing says it is a 3 storey, corner shop with attic .... weak corner turret with leaded bell-cast roof originally raised on columns with tiny cupola over ... modern ground floor ... 4 bays to Bank St., 5 to High St.,

Regent House was built about 1900 by local builder George McIldowie, who is well known for other buildings in Annan.

1900 John Murray, Bookseller/stationer

1909 H Clark, Bookseller/stationer

1987 RoM

1912 W Laurie, Bookseller/stationer

1920's Queen of the Border Annandale Observer

Thanks to V. Phillips

1925 A. S. Anderson

1925 RoM

1938 Library

1944 Council

1970 South Scotland Electricity Board
This company existed between 1955 and 1991, then becoming Scottish Power

Note: they occupied Numbers 69 & 71 and from then on it has been one shop.

1991 Scottish Power

2002 empty

2006 Ladbrokes

Number 71

                                          Please note that all dates are approximate.

If you have any further information, documents, photos or memories about this shop  let us know in the comments section at the bottom or on Annan The History Town Group Facebook page. 

If you click/tap on a photo it will enlarge that photo and give you the pictures as a slideshow.

2021 © V. Russell

67,69 & 71 is a Category B Listed Building. Category B means it is of regional importance. The listing says it is a 3 storey, corner shop with attic .... weak corner turret with leaded bell-cast roof originally raised on columns with tiny cupola over ... modern ground floor ... 4 bays to Bank St., 5 to High St.,

Regent House was built about 1900 by local builder George McIldowie, who is well known for other buildings in Annan.

There is a rumour that this was Scotland's first Departmental Store - a fact disputed because Jenners of Edinburgh was opened this same year. We have yet to find the exact dates of opening for each store !!

1902 George Thomson & Co Ltd

1902 D Watt Directory

1904 D Watt Directory

1908 W&J Armstrong, Outfitter until 1935.

1908 Annandale Observer

Memories: W&F Armstrong made this shop into the 'Harrods' of Annan: the Emporium of Fashion, General, Household and Fancy Drapery, Milliners & Costumiers, House Furnishers and Undertakers. It became the most stylish establishment in the town.

1925 RoM

  

Thanks to V. Phillips

1937 County Council

Memories: "The architect of this building would have been surprised to find his cupola used as the site of Annan's Air Raid siren."

1970 South of Scotland Electricity Board

This company existed between 1955 and 1991, then becoming Scottish Power

Note: they occupied Numbers 69 & 71 and from then on it has been one shop.

1991 Scottish Power

2002 empty

2006 Ladbrokes

Number 59

Please note that all dates are approximate.

If you have any further information, documents, photos or memories about this shop  let us know in the comments section at the bottom or on Annan The History Town Group Facebook page. 

If you click/tap on a photo it will enlarge that photo and give you the pictures as a slideshow.  

2026 © P Russell

1902 David Johnstone, Flesher

1904 D Watt Directory

1919 David & James Johnstone, Flesher

1984 RoM showing a early photo of the shop

1935 RoM

1947 Andrew Cowan, Grocer/confectioner/fruiterer

1949 RoM

1960 Violet Cowan, Sweets

1970 A&I White, Greengrocer

1979 Under reconstruction

1980 Job Centre

1994 Sue Ryder, Charity shop

2021 empty

2025 Aras Mobile Phone, repairs and accessories