The Murray's owned the land on the east side
of the river, so built a gait house / inn by
the bridge to make money out of the passing
trade. This is where the towns name originated
- Gatehouse of Fleet.
1721 - the wooden bridge is washed away in a
storm.
1729 - the first stone bridge is built.
1760s - Kings Head Inn is built, later named
the Murry Arms.
1765 - James Murray has Cally country
mansion built on the east side of the
village.
1778 - Robert Williamson, inventor of
clockwork mechanisms set up a workshop in the
town.
1794 - Robert Williamson died in a fire at
the workshop.
1790 - Lower Birtwhistle Mill is built, now
the Mill on the Fleet.
1790s - the town had four cotton mills,
copper mine, a brass foundry, brewery,
brickworks, soap factory, and tanneries.
1794 - the Ship Inn is built.
1819 - the artist John Faed is
born in the area.
1824 - Alexander Murray had the Fleet Canal
built from the Water of Fleet to the towns
small harbour named Port Macadam, a short
distance south of the town. The harbour had
around 150 ships visit per year, it is now used
by small pleasure craft.
1840 - St Mary's church is built.
1840s - the copper mine is closed.
1861 - Big Water Viaduct is built for the
railway about 6 miles north with a stop for the
town.
1871 - Clock Tower is built in the town
centre.
1921 - Gatehouse golf course is opened and
war memorial built.
1934 - Cally house is converted to a hotel
and golf course.
1968 - the Railway closed. The Big Water
Viaduct area is now a National Park for
walking and cycling.
1986 - A75 bypass is completed reducing
traffic through the town.
1919 - Lower Mill is restored to serve as a
visitor attraction named Mill on the Fleet.
|