The Irvine Archive
If you'd like to see more of the history of Irvine, why not check out the Irvine Archive.
Aerial Photo of The Beach Park Area Pre-1950 - by Crawford Fulton
This photo is taken from George McMaster's Collection. Seen here is the former heart of industrial Irvine, the development of which began in 1871 (with the creation of a chemical works). George has highlighted: the Glassworks (which still operates today, although the site has been redeveloped and modernised); and the former Royal Ordnance Factory (established in 1911 and operational until after World War Two), one of the major munition manufacturing sites for the UK in the early to mid 20th Century. The southern part of the former ROF site was developed into the town's first industrial estate in 1958 (attracting major employers such as Hyster and Bonney Forge); the northern part of the site was transformed into the Beach Park, including a boating lake, and Magnum indoor leisure centre (for many years, the largest facility of its type in Europe).
Commercial And Glue Pot, High Street/Kirkgate - by Crawford Fulton
This photo was taken by George McMaster. It dates from the 1960s.