GATESHEAD, a t. of England, in the co. of Durham, and an ancient borough under the Episcopal palatines of that co. was formerly governed by a bailiff and bur gesses, and became a parliamentary and municipal borough under the reform act of 1832, and the municipal corporations reform act of 1835. It is situated on the s. bank of the Tyne, directly opposite Newcastle, to which it is joined by two bridges, and with which it is otherwise so closely connected as virtually to form one town with it. The older portions of the town are poorly built, but great extensions have been made west ward and southward, in which directions much ground has been laid out in new streets and detached villas. There are numerous dissenting as well as established churches, a grammar school founded in 1700, a mechanics' institute, and an hospital (King James's), consisting of the master (who is the rector of Gateshead for the time being) and three brethren who have residences, and 12.. others who receive allowances without residence. It has alto an-excellent dispensary; which was established after a dreadful visitation of cholera in 1831-32, which carried off 1028 of the population. The numerous coal-mines in the neighborhood, iron-works and foundries, glass-works, brick, tile, and soap-works, ship-building, chemical-works, etc., furniSh employment to the
inhabitants. There are also extensive manufactures of anchors, machinery, chain-cables, iron-wire and other ropes. At Gateshead Fell are quarries from which the famous grindstones erroneously called, but proverbially known as "Newcastle grindstones" are obtained, and exported to all parts of the world, In Oct., 1854, a large portion of the lower part of Gateshead, as well as considerable property in Newcastle immediately opposite, was destroyed by an awful explosion and fire, which also caused the death of upwards of 50 persons. Gateshead sends one member to the house of commons. The pop. in 1871 was 48,627. GateShead is supposed to have.been atone time a Roman sta tion, or outwork to the Roman station at Newcast18, several coins and other relics hav been found from time to time. The derivation of the name has long been matter of dispute, but the probability is, that it simply means the Lead of the gate or road with which the Romans' connected Newcastle with the southern military divisions and defenses.