New Cumnock became a parish in 1650 when the parish of Cumnock was divided in two Cumnock and New Cumnock
The Castle Races took its name from the Castle of the Black Bog, which stood near the site of the Arthur Memorial Church
William Wallace spent three months resting in the Castle with the Dunbar family in 1296
The population of the parish in 1801 was 1112 and in 1951 it was 7000
The first delivery of mail was by Alex Dalziel in 1852
Gas was introduced by A & H Kirkland in 1850
The bowling club was inaugurated in 1870
The Town and Bank Schools were built in 1873 at a cost of £7810
The Afton bridge was built in 1879
The Town Hall was built in 1889 at a cost of £982 14s 10d
The first Castle race took place in May 1781
Mary Queen of Scots is alleged to have ridden up the Afton after the battle of Langside and is said to gone by Mounthraw
Robert the Bruce is said to have been hunted by bloodhounds along the head of the Connel Burn by Sir Henry de Bohun
Navvies rioted in 1846 whilst building the railway
One famous mystery is "Who hid the coins at the Craigs?" and why were the gold coins of Scottish origin and the silver English?
McKechnie's Garage was opened in 1918 as a wooden structure.
The Glen Inn was so called because the Nithsdale Iron Company had their headquarters at the Bank and there was an Inn next door, the houses became known as the Glen Inn
The original Bank Church was erected in 1875 and was an 'iron' construction situated in the grounds of what would become the Bank School. Work started on the new church in 1899.
An Angling Club was formed in 1896 to stop the use of dynamite for killing fish in the Nith and Afton. This was followed soon after with a hatchery up the Connel Burn near Culcreoch, which was used to stock the burns.
Carpet Bowls were played in various venues, often huts at Dalleagles, Burnfoot, Benston and Mansfield and even in an upstairs room in the Castle Hotel. The most well known would have been the Burn Hut at Pathbrae but in 2008 once hut still remains at Dalleagles.
The Kirkland family arrived from Sorn in 1830 and were probably the first merchants in the town. First came Kirklands shop Then Alex and Hugh gave us the first supply of gas in 1850. By 1860 they had Ironmongers, Drapers and bakeries on the go
Kirkland was also responsible for Gillies, Sturrock and Trotters shops as they served their apprenticeships there. The shop was destroyed by fire in 1926 or in some reports 1928.
Mr and Mrs Cook of Ladeside won the first Franchise to handle mail in 1830. With the inauguration of the Post Office and use of railways, Alex Dalziel opened the first Post Office at pathhead and began the first house to house delivery or letters.
New Cumnock bobbies were given bicycles in 1900 with the new fangled pneumatic tyres.
During the 1890's Neilson's, Golds, Henderson's and the Town Hall buildings all appeared. Mrs Currie opened the Afton Hotel with accommodation for 32 people and across the road the Afton Buildings. All were built of sandstone.
The slaughter house and piggery was situated near the Gas Works and was owned by a Mr. Love. Amazingly, they had earth floors!!!
James Tweedie installed the first petrol pump and probably had the first wireless too. All this in 1922.
McKechnie's started life as a tinsmith, making such things as Tea Flasks
in 1931, The wee toon saw electric street lighting take over
John Trotters and Sons started life in premises behind Templetons Shop (now the site of McKechnies Garage) and in 1910 purchased the building owned by Anderson and Gold. The rest is history as they say.
The Boys Brigade appeared for the first time at the Bank Church in the year of 1907
Up until the 1920's, films were shown in the Town Hall. The first purpose built picture house was built in 1920 and like its predecessors, opened mainly in the winter. Then came Mr. Biddal. His son Victor would revolutionise the industry in the town
The Sanitorium closed its doors in 1966
Playing mainly at Connelpark were football teams such as Lanemark, Afton Lads, Honeymoon Roses, Ardnith Rovers and New Cumnock United
On the 12th of May, 1930, history was made when Glenafton Athletic were formed at Connelpark. The old u's were dept ridden so a new team was formed. On the Glens committee were James McQue, Paddy Burns, John Grant and Archie Park. They played in the old NC United strips of black and white. Eventually the recreational hut along from the Football Row was given as the changing hut. The first game was against Kello Rovers.
The Crescent at Craigbank had the privilege of having the first ever houses with baths! BUT.....the residents had to heat the water in pots and carry to the bathroom to fill the bath. This could take many pots of water.
New Cumnock Cricket Club was at Castlemains farm
One of Jimmy the Fruiters horses was called 'Sharp'
Hamilton Drive was named after councilor Charlie Hamilton
Knockshinnoch Pit closed in 1968 with the Bank Pit closing 1969
If you know of any more items of interest please email them for inclusion on this page