Singaporean landmarks: past and present 

 

We all know the old adage: “Singapore progressed from a third-world to first-world country in under 50 years.” Simply flip through the pages of any social studies textbook to see past photos of Singapore in its full glory. 

That said, you can’t really feel the full brunt of our progress until you’ve visited those places in your textbook and compare them to the past. Well, in the spirit of Majulah Singapura, we spent an entire afternoon visiting 8 places around Singapore just to see how much we’ve changed. 

 

1. Chong Pang Village

 

Before After Singapore - Chong Pang Village

Old-gen Northies will probably be familiar with Chong Pang Village – an area famous for its hawker centre whose past tenants are still around in Sembawang

Before After Singapore - Chong Pang VillageImage credit: Mr Kamal

Named after Lim Chong Pang, the village was also home to Sultan Theatre – an open air cinema that was the go-to place for villagers to catch Hollywood and Hong Kong movies.

Before After Singapore - Chong Pang Village Field

Unfortunately, the village began declining in the mid-1980s due to urbanisation and by 1989, the villagers resettled to the newly-developed Sembawang New Town. Now, what remains of this once-bustling place is a huge plot of land surrounded by condos and flats.

 

2. Beaulieu House

 

Before After Singapore - Beaulieu House PastImage credit: Beaulieu House Restaurant

Built in the 1910s, the Beaulieu House is one of the last few remnants of colonial Singapore and while its monochrome facade remains untouched, step inside and you’ll see a world of difference.

Before After Singapore - Beaulieu House InteriorInterior of the house when it was occupied by the British
Image credit: Beaulieu House Restaurant

What was once the living quarters of many high-ranking British naval officers has since been spruced up to the Beaulieu House Restaurant featuring a cleaner aesthetic to accommodate diners. 

Before After Singapore - Beaulieu House Facade

The house was bought by the British forces in 1923 and served as the residence of various admirals until 1968, when the British government withdrew their military force.

Before After Singapore - Beaulieu House Interior

Following the withdrawal, the house was handed over to the Singapore government and in 1981, the house began operating as a restaurant. Now, you can come here to enjoy Chinese and Western cuisine at reasonable prices in a rustic atmosphere.

 

3. Singapore Naval Base / Sembawang Shipyard

 

Before After Singapore - Sembawang Naval BaseImage credit: Wikimedia Commons

As you relish in the glorious seabreeze at Sembawang Jetty, waiting to reel in those fishies, you’ll prolly notice the fleet of ships just a stone’s throw away at the Sembawang Shipyard. It’s hard to believe that just 80 years ago, that very shipyard was the Singapore Naval Base and was a key component in the British plans to defend the East.

Before After Singapore - Sembawang Jetty

After the war,  the Singapore government converted the naval base into a government-linked commercial enterprise, and the area surrounding the shipyard was developed into a park. 

 

4. Sembawang Hot Spring

 

Before After Singapore - Sembawang Hot SpringImage adapted from: T.H. Ang

Our very onsen, Sembawang Hot Spring, was first discovered in 1909 by a Chinese merchant in his pineapple estate. As the years passed, the spring became popular with the villagers who used its water for various purposes like good luck, healing rheumatism, and even boiling eggs.

Before After Singapore - Sembawang Hot Spring TapsThe taps have to be constantly turned on to prevent the pipes from bursting.

In 2002, the spring underwent renovation works and a cemented walkway replaced the muddy footpath and drainage pipes were installed to make the place cleaner and more accessible.

Before After Singapore - Sembawang Hot Spring Visitors

Come by any day and you’ll see pails lined up near the pipes, with people either soaking their feet or even bathing in the water. In 2019, the hot spring will undergo a revamp and include cool new facilities like a floral walk, cascading pool for foot baths, and a cafe!

 

5. Elephant Statue at Old Parliament House

 

Before After Singapore - Elephant Statue PastImage credit: The New York Public Library Digital Collections

Those who’ve visited the The Arts House at The Old Parliament will definitely notice the bronze elephant statue in front of the building. That statue was a gift from Thailand’s King Chulalongkorn to commemorate his visit to Singapore in 1871, which was the very first time a Thai monarch visited a foreign land.

Before After Singapore - Elephant Statue Present

Originally erected in front of the Victoria Memorial Hall in 1872, the statue was relocated to its existing location in 1919 to commemorate Centenary Day, 100 years since Singapore’s founding by Stamford Raffles.

 

6.  Singapore River / Clarke Quay

 

Before After Singapore - Singapore RiverImage credit: The New York Public Library Digital Collections

Kit Chan wasn’t kidding when she sang “sail down the river which brings us life” in Home, ‘cause the Singapore River was once the very lifeblood of the country – being the center of commercial activity. 

Before After Singapore - Singapore River Past

At the height of its prosperity, you could see all sorts of bumboats and sampans by the river, which naturally led to tonnes of pollution lasting decades. Finally in 1977, then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew called for a cleanup of Singapore’s rivers which cost the government $300 million. 

Before After Singapore - Singapore River Night

Now, you can see just how much the river’s surroundings has changed with hundreds of tenants setting up their businesses around the river.

 

7. Robinson Road

 

Before After Singapore - Robinson Road

Despite being a one-way street, Robinson Road is flanked on both sides by a bevy of towering skyscrapers such as Robinson Point and AIA Tower.

Before After Singapore - Robinson Road PastImage credit: The New York Public Library Digital Collections

The road screams corporate so much that it’s hard to believe that just under 70 years ago, it was a wide open street frequented by rickshaw riders ferrying staff of the Criminal Investigation Department and Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Jit Poh.

 

8. Stamford House

 

Before After Singapore - Stamford HouseImage credit: The New York Public Library Digital Collections

Just at the junction of Hill Street and Stamford Road sits the Stamford House. Built in 1940 as a retail store, the building features Venetian Renaissance influences like keystone arches and solid granite columns.

Before After Singapore - Stamford House Walkway

Over the years, the building was managed by different people and even served as a hotel for Japanese soldiers during World War II. 

Before After Singapore - Stamford House Now

In 1991, Stamford House underwent extensive conservation and restoration works, and was fitted with new features like central air-conditioning, escalators and lifts. Now, the building has been redesigned as a six-star hotel called The Patina, which has over 150 rooms and a saltwater relaxation pool.

 

History of famous landmarks in Singapore

 

From a sleepy village to a garden city. The next time anyone needs further proof, simply show them these landmarks which have glowed up over the years.

 

Learn about the town’s latest happenings at Kampung Sembawang

 

Before After Singapore - Kampung Sembawang Image credit: Kampung Sembawang

You’ll find landmarks all over Singapore but only Sembawang has them in spades. The town is home to all sorts of relics from our country’s past but even then, it’s finding new ways to develop as seen in the upcoming Sembawang Hub.

To know more about Sembawang’s past and present, head to the Kampung Sembawang Facebook page where you can also find feature pieces on the interesting people and places here.

Find out more about Kampung Sembawang here!


This post was brought to you by Sembawang Town Council.

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