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The focus of this category is on Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland.

Johnstone is in the west central Lowlands, about three miles west of neighbouring Paisley, twelve miles west of the Glasgow city centre, and twelve miles north east of Kilwinning. It is situated on the banks of the Black Cart Water, and is part of the Greater Glasgow Urban Area.

Johnstone originated as a planned community in the late 18th century. It grew around the house of Easter Cochrane, later known as Johnston Castle, and the seat of the Houstoun family. In 1782, George Houstoun, the Laird, commissioned designs for a series of residential streets to form the town centre. Two mirroring civic squares (Houstoun Square and Ludovic Square) were built in the town. By 1794, the new town had established its parish church; by 1832, its population had reached 5,600. Johnstone was elevated to the status of a police burgh. While this status is now defunct, the former court building still stands along Collier Street.

Historically, the town's economy was driven by coal mining and the cotton industry. The Black Cart Water powered its mills, which included a six-storey cotton mill constructed in 1782, which was one of the largest in Scotland. Its industries brought prosperity, but its expanding population led to slum conditions.

Today, Johnstone has a lively town centre with various shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

While Johnstone is a comparatively new town, it is not without significant historical and architectural interest. Johnstone Castle, built in 1560, and enlarged in 1771 and 1812, still stands, although it is a private residence, and much of the structure was demolished in 1950. Johnstone Parish Church, established in 1794, is another key historical site.

Johnstone's schools include Johnston High School, Saint Benedict's High School, Auchenlodment Primary School, Fordbank Primary School, and Saint David's Primary School.

The town is home to three churches affiliated with the Church of Scotland, two Roman Catholic Churches, a Scottish Episcopal Church, an Evangelical Church, and a Baptist Church.

Online resources representing Johnstone businesses, industries, schools, churches or other places of worship, museums, libraries, art galleries, entertainment venues, organisations, attractions, and events, are appropriate for this portion of our web guide.

 

 

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