History in Structure

Mercat Cross, South Street, Houston

A Category B Listed Building in Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, Renfrewshire

More Photos »
Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

Coordinates

Latitude: 55.869 / 55°52'8"N

Longitude: -4.5501 / 4°33'0"W

OS Eastings: 240533

OS Northings: 666924

OS Grid: NS405669

Mapcode National: GBR 3D.3BQ9

Mapcode Global: WH3NY.2RK3

Plus Code: 9C7QVC9X+JX

Entry Name: Mercat Cross, South Street, Houston

Listing Name: Houston Village, South Street, Mercat Cross

Listing Date: 10 June 1971

Category: B

Source: Historic Scotland

Source ID: 345578

Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB12697

Building Class: Cultural

Also known as: Houston, South Street, Mercat Cross

ID on this website: 200345578

Location: Houston and Killellan

County: Renfrewshire

Electoral Ward: Houston, Crosslee and Linwood

Parish: Houston And Killellan

Traditional County: Renfrewshire

Tagged with: Architectural structure Market cross

Find accommodation in
Houston

Description

Mercat cross in prominent position with probable 14th century stepped plinth and dated 1713 headpiece. Square-plan chamfered shaft with square headpiece with sundial markings and gnomons on each face; ball finial. Surmounted on 3-stepped base.

Statement of Interest

An important part of the history of Houston, the mercat cross is situated in a prominent position in the main street and adds significantly to the streetscape of the town.

Originally situated at Kirk Road, near the church to the East of the present village, the cross was moved to its present position when the new planned town of Houston was built after 1781.

Mercat crosses were important structures in many Scottish towns as they were focal ponts for trading and public announcements. Many were also the place where punishments were meted out. Sundials at the top of a single shaft, as here, was a common form.

List description updated 2010.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.