Scottish Ironwork
c/o 80 Springwood House
Stirling
Scotland
FK8 2PE

Mcdowall Steven & Co Ltd, Milton Ironworks

Mcdowall Steven had their roots amongst the founders of the cast iron industry in Scotland. Thomas Edington started the Phoenix Foundry in Glasgow in 1804, perhaps the first true ornamental ironfounders in Glasgow. His experience and wealth arose from his involvement with Carron, Cramond Ironworks, Muirkirk Ironworks and Clyde Ironworks. His son James worked with him at the Phoenix Foundry before departing to establish the Eagle Foundry with John McDowall around 1820.

Changes to the partnership changed the name to McDowall & Robertson and Milton Foundry at Port Dundas in 1828, later becoming McDowall & Co Ltd from 1844 to 1861 at Corn Street in Port Dundas.

The most prolific period of the Foundry's success followed another move to 142 Woodside Road in Glasgow from 1862 to 1909, where the company became McDowall Steven & Co Ltd and the foundry Milton Ironworks. It would appear that successive generations of the McDowall family, with it being noted that …… gifted the fountain still situated on Ayr's esplanade, an excellent example of the companies work. Other examples of this fountain were found in Glasgow and Biggar, the latter dismantled in the early 20th Century and shown in one of the rare catalogues still existing. The topmost section of the fountains show an otter clutching a fish in it's mouth, the outer facades an almost cartoon - like octopus. The Glasgow example is described by a handbill in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. It was erected for the 1888 International Exhibition in Kelvingrove Park, where the Doulton Fountain was also found before removal to Glasgow Green in 1890. The McDowall Steven fountain was moved to Cathedral Square in 1890. The fountain had four canopied drinking fountains around it's perimeter, an example of which we have yet to find remaining. The company also provided a thousand ornamental division standards for the machinery annexe, along with a variety of garden seats.

Several excellent bandstands of theirs are still found in Duthie Park, Aberdeen, West Park Wolverhampton, and in Shrewsbury. These show innovation in construction using wrought iron sheet with cast iron roof formers, unlike the predominantly timber construction of Saracen examples for the most part. The quality of the bandstands in constructional detail is matched by the fine detail and quality of their castings. The façade of Central Station in Glasgow over Argyle Street is an impressive example, and many lamp standards are found with the Mcdowall Steven stamp, including some excellent examples in Cheltenham. Their catalogue also notes exports of terraces and balconies to Australia. An excellent example of one of their drinking fountains is found in Kay Park, Kilmarnock - the only example in the UK to our knowledge, outlasting the grand Coalbrookdale fountain erected in the same park.

Many letter boxes bear the company stamp, most of these originating from the period when the company relocated to Falkirk, taking over Laurieston Ironworks around 1912. We have yet to ascertain when McDowall Steven & Co Ltd finally ceased trading, but it would appear to be around 1920.

Try searching under Milton in our database for examples.

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