Mining of coal and iron ore in the 1840s lead to industrialisation and rapid population growth from rural Scotland and large numbers of migrants from Ireland.

Nearby, in Cambusnethan parish the industrial communities of Shieldmuir and Berryhill were established on the road leading to Wishaw.

In the late 1920s, the burgh council began a massive housing development program in the area to the east of Sheildmuir Street and Glasgow Road stretching from the village of Craigneuk to Berryhill.

The same building houses an adult education centre, providing classes in computing, parenting, card making and crafts.

The Caledonian Centre on Glasgow Road has national store chains such as Argos, Matalan, Brantano, Pets at Home and Homebase.

On the residential streets, there is a Spar grocery store at the western end of Laurel Drive, and an independent newsagent on Hillcrest Avenue, known locally as Bell's, and another on Briarwood Road known as Feeney's.

There was also originally a swing park in a small area behind Charles Street known locally as "the Ashey" (because of it once being surfaced with red shale - i.e. "ashes") This became a haunt of drinkers and has now been abandoned due to the dangers of many years of deposited broken glass.

This pumptrack was designed and built by Velosolutions, leaders in the industry, and is now managed by a local enterprise called Socialtrack.

The track has been so successful in supporting community regeneration amongst the young that the frequent incidents of anti-social behaviour on what was an abandoned area of land have stopped.

Socialtrack announced it as the venue for the UK round of the 2019 Red Bull Pumptrack World Championships - a remarkable achievement for them and the community in so short a time.