Monday 22 November 2021

Number 121 Argyle House

 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.  

  
2021 © V. Russell

Number 121 is a Category B Listed Building. Category B means it is of regional importance. The listing, made in 2004, notes that it is on a prominent corner site, built as a drapers shop for J McLean. Drawings show that the building has hardly changed externally - the shop door is different and the dome has lost its finial. 
The listing says 3 bay, 2 storey renaissance style shop on corner site with curved corner ... turret rising from first floor ...glazed shop front... pedimented dormers ...tripartite windows to first floor with mullions and architraves ...mosaic floor to entrance with Greek Key border, 'Argyle House' in curved letters & thistle motif ...window at first floor with 'Argyle House' in painted letters above... cast iron rainwater goods with decorative hoppers.

1902 L Bruciani, Confectioner

Memories: The first Italian family to come into Annan, Brucianni's came from Carlisle.

1905 P&B Bacci, Confectioner

1908 J McLean, Draper
Rebuilt by James E McLean and opened in 1908. The architect, Alexander Tweedie, seem to have used the newly built Regent House & Temperance Hotel (Corner House) for inspiration.

1908 Annandale Observer

1911 Annandale Observer

1911 Annandale Observer

1911 Annandale Observer

1925  Wilson Bros, Grocer

1925 RoM

1952 RoM

1961 RoM

Memories: In the 1950's my mother used to write her weekly shopping list in 'The Wilson Book', and send me or my sister round with it, and the money, to pay for the previous week's groceries. The following day it would be delivered by a boy on a message bike.

1954 William Watson grocer is listed as Proprietor/Occupier at No 121 

1962 Joseph Maxwell & MacKenzie Ltd, Grocer

1962 RoM

1963 Joseph Maxwell & Son Ltd, Grocer

1963 RoM

(In 1965 Maxwell's was in Numbers 121, 123 and 125 but by 1970 was just in Number 121)

1973 Tartan Souvenirs (Eskbank Manufacturing Ltd)

1973 RoM

1988 Annan TV

1988 RoM

1997 RoM

2005 Alistair Black (proprietor & occupier)
Mystery: What did Alistair do?

2006 Stella Davies (Alistair Black, Proprietor, is refurbishing upstairs)
Mystery: What did Stella Davies do?

2007/8 empty

2008 Subway

2008 RoM

2009 RoM







1 comment:

  1. In the 1950's my mother used to write her weekly shopping list in 'The Wilson Book', and send me or my sister round with it and the money to pay for the previous week's groceries. The following day it would be delivered by a boy on a message bike. All before the invention of internet shopping!

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