In 1915, Langholm’s manufacturing businesses consisted mainly of six woollen mills, a distillery, a tannery and some blacksmiths.
Its shops were mostly in or near the thriving High Street in the Old Town, with a few across the river in the New Town.
Hospitality was provided by six hotels and an entertainment hall.
The main estates and farms were held by the Duke of Buccleuch, including his renowned Langholm grouse moor, 12 farms and sawmill. A number of other properties were held by the Maxwell family.
The local newspaper, a vital source of information, was the Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser, the first ‘penny paper’ in Scotland, later run by the only female newspaper proprietor in Scotland.