History 1850 - 1920

The enormous growth in population was not due to high birthrate, but instead due to an influx of residents from the Highlands and predominantly Ireland. This followed the Potato famine of the mid 1840's and also reflected the change from cottage industry to heavy industry in the area. Most of the Irish immigrant population were involved with mining and labouring.

This led to an increase in ironwork foundries around the area. Because of this explosion in industry, railway links were soon established (circa 1830) and by 1862, the Airdrie and Bathgate Junction Railway provided a direct link to Edinburgh with Airdrie South Station  providing the starting point for trains to Glasgow. An evolution of the rise in population and industry prompted for more accessible water supplies. Until mid 1800's, various wells were put in place feeding from surrounding streams in the area. These served to provide many houses with private wells. By 1846 Airdrie and Coatbridge Water Company was founded to construct (along with Forth and Clyde Canal Company) the reservoir at Roughrigg.

Around the mid 1800's, several local newspapers began appearing and notably the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, which is still the most popular local paper today. Also at this time, football and cricket began to emerge as popular sports. Owing to the formation of the Football under Association rules and through this beginning, Excelsior (the local football team until then) became Airdrieonians FC in 1878. Race meetings were also held in the town (1851 - 1870) but this land became the golf course for the newly formed Airdrie Golf Club in 1877 (which later moved site to Rochsoles and Glenmavis in 1884).

The Lanarkshire Yeomanry. The first yeomanry in Lanarkshire, the Upper Ward Yeomanry, later the Upper Ward and Airdrie Yeomanry, was raised about 1819. In 1838, many of the yeomanry regiments were disbanded, only two, the Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, being retained in Scotland. In 1852 the regiment was renamed the "Lanarkshire Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry". On the outbreak of the South African War of 1899-1902, a mounted infantry battalion of four companies was organised from the Scottish Yeomanry. The volunteers from the Lanarkshire Yeomanry formed part of the 17th Company of the 6th (Scottish) Battalion of Imperial Yeomanry. The 17th Company arrived in South Africa in March 1900, and served there until the end of the campaign. On the reorganisation of the Yeomanry in 1901 the regiment was designated the Lanarkshire Imperial Yeomanry. In 1908, it became part of the Territorial Force or (TF) and the word "Imperial" was dropped from the title. In the Great War of 1914-1918, the regiment served in Gallipoli and Egypt. At the beginning of 1917, the Lanarkshire Yeomanry and Ayrshire Yeomanry were amalgamated to form the 12th (Ayr and Lanark Yeomanry) Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. After much strenuous work in Palestine, fought on in Europe on the Western Front until the end of the war. Sergeant Thomas Caldwell was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry while in command of a Lewis gun section near Elseghem in October of 1918. In the Second World War of 1939-1945, it was originally a yeomanry unit, but was converted later into artillery, forming the 155th and 156th Field Regiments, Royal Artillery. The 155th was badly cut up at Singapore and the 156th served in North Africa, Italy and North-West Europe. On the reconstitution of the Territorial Army in 1947, the regiment was converted from artillery to armour and then became a unit of the Royal Armoured Corps. South African War and First World War Battle Honours South Africa. Gallipoli 1915. Egypt 1916-1917. Gaza, Jerusalem, Tell 'Asur, Palestine 1917-1918. Ypres 1918. France and Flanders 1918.

Education posed a major problem with severe overcrowding in the few schools available, therefore 3 new school boards were established. Fees were routinely charged within the schools with the belief they should be self-supporting until the Act of 1889 when some of the infant classes in schools were relieved of this burden. Airdrie Academy was built in 1895 and by 1919 all school boards were dissolved and Lanarkshire Education Authority took over responsibility for education throughout Lanarkshire. Airdrie Library was eventually built on it's present site in 1894 after years of moving from one site to another.

By the turn of the century and certainly by 1910, variety shows were becoming popular in the area and by 1911 the Pavillion in Graham Street was built which after initially being used as a music hall started showing cinematographic pictures. Unfortunately it was destroyed by fire in 1917 but was rebuilt in 1919 (closed in 1970 for re-development). The New Cinema was opened in 1920 in Broomknoll Street but has since closed. The town had no suitable venue for larger functions so in 1912 the Sir John Wilson Town Hall was opened (following a generous offer from Sir John Wilson covering the total cost of £13,500). This still stands and is used for major events in the town.