The Story of Stepps
Industries - Fireclay
Cardowan Fireclay Works, situated on the north side of the Garnkirk & Glasgow railway line a short distance to the east of Cardowan Road, was set up during the early 1850s by John Hurll, who had come to Scotland from Ireland about 1835. John Young was his partner in the firm of Hurll, Young & Co., which took over the neighbouring Heathfield Fireclay Works about 1862. Three years later, with John Dunnachie, they established the Glenboig Fire Clay Company. This partnership lasted until 1873, when Young left to concentrate on the Heathfield and Cardowan businesses, while Hurll remained at Glenboig.
The clay at Cardowan was of the highest quality, similar to the renowned Garnkirk clay nearby, and was mined at a pit within the grounds. The fireclay products included firebricks, blast-furnace blocks, gas retorts and fittings, ornamental vases, garden edgings, and plain and ornamental chimney pots. Both bricks and the more specialised products were hand-made. During the mid-1890s output was 60-70 tons per day. Labourers' wages were 18-19 shillings for a 57-hour week. Moulders received 1s 9d per 1,000 for hand-made bricks, carriers 8d per 1,000. Kilns were emptied and filled by contract, at the rates of 6d per ton for setting, 5d per ton for drawing, and 4½d for loading. The contractor paid his men according to work done. Dry-mill and wet-mill men were also paid at piece rates, but their wages were good - much higher than the labourers' basic. The works finally closed in 1902.
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