Media Invite
I can’t remember when I started having a love for vintage stuffs. Since photography became a hobby, I’ve developed a love for snapping shots of old things, old places and everything with an old charm. That is why the husband and I love going for street photography walks together in places where we can find heritage buildings and shophouses, etc. Just last weekend, we were invited to join ‘My Queenstown Heritage Trail’ and we had a really enjoyable time going around the old estate of Queenstown and capturing the sights that would be gone in a matter of years. While I wish for everything with great heritage value to be preserved, I know it’s not possible or feasible with the kind of economic development we are going for. It’s such a pity though – The old buildings, shops and neighborhoods contain so many fond memories, and those can only remain etched in the hearts of the residents who have been living there for decades, while everything is demolished.
The heritage trail is a meaningful initiative to allow Singaporeans to know and understand more about old estates in Singapore that will be demolished in a few years, to make way for new developments. These guided tours are free-of-charge and can be registered for via http://www.eventbrite.sg/o/my-community-3785561729. Every group is limited to only 25 participants though, so the spaces run out pretty fast. Throughout the two-hour tour, expect to see old buildings, markets and landmarks of Queenstown, and hear stories from ‘the horses’ mouths’ – residents who have been staying there for years. There are many ‘first buildings’ in Queenstown as well, as I would share in a while. For folks who are around the same age as me, many of these old buildings and estates would bring back so much nostalgic memories. It’s something the teenagers of today would not be able to identify with!
At the start of the trail, every one was given a “My Queentown Heritage Trail” booklet, which contained precious photographs and lots of interesting stories and historical facts. With this booklet, you can have a better understanding when your Guide explains and shares the stories during the trail. Let me bring you through what I saw and experienced on my trail, but I strongly encourage you to sign up and experience everything firsthand yourself. :)
The first building that we came across was the Queenstown Driving Test Centre which was in operation from 1969 to 1995.
Interesting Fact: Back in those days, instead of taking theory tests, candidates had to move a miniature-sized car on a model in response to questions asked by a tester, for eg manually slowing down before the pedestrian crossing etc.
The Queenstown Public Library is Singapore’s first branch library and is currently the oldest library still operation in Singapore, after the demolition of the National Library. Even though renovation works had been done on the interiors several times, the external facade of the library had been preserved. Love how retro the walls look!
This brought so much memories to me because I used to spend hours in the branch library in my own neighborhood. I remember the old vintage library cards and borrowing counters with long queues (before automated machines were invented, that is!). So nostalgic. =)
As you go from Level 1 to Level 2 of the library, be sure to check out this stairway of memories. So many interesting old photographs and newspaper clippings. Many of these memories are still etched in my mind. Interesting Fact: There used to be Microfiche viewers where you can view old newspaper clippings for your project research. Have you used any of those before? I have!!
The trail then led us to pass by this dome-shaped building, which was the former Commonwealth Avenue Wet Market. It is the only remaining market in Singapore that is designed by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT), and has earned for itself an interesting name - “Coffin Market” because of its unique shape. Interesting Fact: Tables and chairs were not provided at hawker centres long, long time ago. The government started providing them at every hawker centre because of a murder case that took place many years ago at the market, where a feud between two stall owners over tables and chairs resulted in a murder and subsequent hanging of the murderer. That piece of news was obviously splashed as headlines during that time.
As we proceeded along, we passed by Church of Savor, which was actually an old cinema called Venus Theatre. I have some recollection of seeing the building before, but I think I’ve not seen it while it was still a cinema. Looks like I’m not so old after all. =P
This next part of the trail was one of my favorites, and something new I got to know only that day! Did you know that there are HDB Terraces remaining along Stirling Road? These are actually the remaining terrace apartments built by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) – 13 blocks of HDB terraces containing over 150 two-room and three-room apartments. They resemble private terrace houses and after a major upgrading done by the residents many years ago, they now have 5 bedrooms and 2 kitchens each, complete with their personal front porch and backyard (for growing vegetables and flowers!).
Many of us were full of envy as we met and listened to one of the old long-time residents of the HDB Terraces share about his life living in one of these houses. Before the whole area became so developed, they used to grow vegetables and rear chickens! In my opinion, this looked very much like a high-class kampong!
When the HDB Terraces were first built, there were no fences, and everyone could walk past the front and back of the houses from one end to the other. Interesting Fact: These HDB Terraces were sold at S$15K in 1960s and are going for sale (if you can find anyone selling that is) for S$800K today. Plus, you can only own the house for 40 years before you must return it back to the government.
Located right behind the HDB Terraces are the first HDB blocks built in 1960. I was mesmerized by the old wooden doors, metal letterboxes and many vintage chairs found outside the units. They were not unfamiliar to me because the first HDB flats I lived in as a kid had all these elements as well. Today, HDB flats are beautified and improved, and we cannot see these vintage elements anymore.
Yes, that was how unit numbers were nailed onto doors in those days.
As we crossed the overhead bridge to Tanglin Halt, we were greeted with these cheery-looking blocks of flats. In less than 10 years’ time, the flats in Tanglin Halt will be among 31 blocks that will be cleared under the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme. Under the Master Plan 2014, the area has been zoned for mainly residential use.
Tanglin Halt consists of rows of ten storey flats, fondly remembered as Chap Lao Chu (Ten storeys in Hokkien).
Since we were at such an old neighborhood, we wouldn’t miss out the chance to visit some of the oldest shops around. I’m sure you can tell from the flooring that this place has great heritage value.
We were brought to two old and retro salons. The Malay barber concept still exists in other neighborhoods but it’s so rare to see a traditional Chinese salon nowadays, complete with those ‘spaceship-like’ hair-perming equipment!
Both sides of the wall were lined with full-width mirrors, so it created the infinity effect! =D
Love everything in this salon from the maroon cushion chairs with round bases, mosaic floors, retro hair-perming equipment, hair wash bed & basin, metal trolley etc.
At the Malay barber shop, we met the boss himself! 
This shop’s main clientele are those who have been patronizing for years. When we were there, the barber and his customer were like old friends chatting away. A very heartwarming sight, I say.
Two very kind residents who have been living at Tanglin Halt for 40 years met us and shared their stories with us. From their sharing, it was obvious that the long-time residents of Tanglin Halt have a deep love and a lot of feelings for the place and their old friends. They even leave spare sets of their keys with one of the residents so that they would not be locked out of their homes if they forgot to bring their keys out! This kind of camaraderie is so rare nowadays!
Living in a multi-racial and multi-cultural society like Singapore meant that we can find different religious buildings co-existing peacefully. The Church of the Blessed Sacrament is the first Catholic church in Queenstown. As you can tell, the Church’s most striking feature is the dramatically structured slate roof, which was constructed to resemble a tent, as depicted in the Old Testament in the Bible. In 2005, the Church has been gazetted for conservation. Interesting Fact: There used to be a miniature farm within the Church which kept animals such as monkeys, goats and dogs. The farm was removed in 2003.
I am always fascinated by how colorful and detailed Indian temples are. While the Catholics were having their weekly mass sessions, the Indians were having their worship sessions just a short distance away. That’s Singapore for you. :)
Our guide then brought us to see these pretty blocks with such vintage facades. These three-storey apartment flats were completed between 1961 and 1964 and features broad walkways in front of the blocks. I like how serene and tranquil this whole are is, with abundant lush greenery. It’s too bad the blocks have already been vacated and would be demolished by next year to make way for new developments.
Our trail ended at the shophouses at Tanglin Halt, near the wet market and hawker centre. Love all these old school biscuits and titbits, all in traditional huge glass jars with red covers! I have fond memories of these from my childhood.
So rare to find fresh coconut graters nowadays! These would make wonderful curries!
Interesting Fact: Back in the 1970s, it was ‘fashionable’ to buy on credit. Families would pop by and pick up what they need for the household, then pay for everything at the end of the month. The shop owners would record the purchases in little booklets. This shows the trust the residents have in each other.
At the end of the Heritage Trail, I have grown in my understanding and appreciation of Queenstown. I may not have lived in Queenstown before, but many of these old bits of Singapore that would totally be gone and replaced by modern elements soon, were all precious bits of my own childhood as well. I enjoyed myself tremendously, and wish I could introduce them to my own kids who did not have the privilege to live in those times. If you are also a lover of such heritage, make sure you sign up for the upcoming trails! They are free-of-charge, very insightful and certainly worth your two-hours.
Sign up at:
http://www.eventbrite.sg/o/my-community-3785561729
