The name "Kreta Ayer" comes from the ox-drawn water carts that used to deliver water to the area. Between 1880 & 1910, many cultural educational and institutional associations were established here. Today, it is known for its bustling streets, festivals and shopping streets.
My cousins and I have explored the streets and historical sites of Kreta Ayer.
And these are what we found!
Pagoda Street had been a street known for its notorious activities since the early 19th century, when it was lined with opium smoking dens, before it turned into a coolie trading centre during the later half the century. No coolie firm has been more famous than Kwong Hup Yuen, the largest coolie trading firm. Coolies lived in packed bunk spaces until they are sold as slaves to wealthy buyers. Kwong Hup Yuen was later transformed into a bicycle shop called Kian Seng Heng, before the street was reinvented as a commercial place dealing with textiles, tailoring and retail services.
Temple Street in Chinatown was originally called Almeida Street, after Joaquim D'Almeida. D'Almeida was a Portuguese merchant who stopped at Singapore and purchased a large piece of land, a portion of which was later named Almeida Street.
In 1908, the street was renamed Temple Street, probably in honor of Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Many argue, however, that Temple Street was not named after this particular temple but instead, refers to the abundance of temples in the area. There is also other name such as Gu Chia Chui Hi Hng Au, which means ‘the street behind the theatre’.
In the early 1900s, Temple Street became an enclave for Teochew immigrants from China. Despite this, many Cantonese Operas were staged here up till the late 1920s, the most famous being Lai Chun Yen Theatre. Like the rest of Singapore, the Chinatown area was badly bombed during World War II. Miraculously, though, Temple Street emerged unscathed.
Getting there....
The oldest road in Chinatown also housed the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. It was originally made of wood and attap in 1827, before being replaced by a brick structure in 1843. It was built by an Indian Pioneer, Naraina Pillai, who had his shop burnt to the ground by a fire. Assisted by Raffles, he revived his business and constructed the temple to honour the Goddess Mariamman, the curer of diseases. This temple also gave Pagoda Street, a neighbouring street, its name, due to the gopuram, its pyramidal structure that was mistaken to be a pagoda.
The oldest road in Chinatown is South Bridge Road, which was built in 1833, although it was already known by its name in the 1820s, before a proper road had been constructed. An unnamed footbridge (now Elgin Bridge) has existed before the 1820s, where the road starts, thus giving it the name of South Bridge road. It was of great importance, as it linked to the Keppel Harbour. To the various dialect groups, this road was also known by several names, such as "The Great Horse-way", "Painter's Street", and "Big Town".
Trengganu Street was also an infamous recreation outlet for the early Chinese immigrants. Opium and gambling dens and brothels on the street served the Chinese coolies who came to Singapore alone and found themselves obligated to toiling for long hours.
During the Japanese Occupation, the block of flats that lined Trengganu Street, from Smith Street to Sago Street, became home to Malay families who sought shelter and protection.
Hawkers serving exotic recipes were also what used to make Trengganu Street famous. Their specialty was brewed tonic soups made from a concoction of tortoise, turtle, snake, lizard, or snake meat served in thick ceramic urns.
In order to revive the glory of 19th century Chinatown, Trengganu Street was converted into a street market with stalls selling a plethora of goods. Traditional trades such as watch repairing, fan making and fortune telling were also reintroduced on this street.
During 1930s, several four-storeys shophouses were built along Mosque Street, New Bridge Road and Upper Cross Street. They stood out not only because of their unusual design, but also because shophouses around the area were usually of two or three-storeys. These buildings were constructed in a style known as Art-Deco, which originated from Europe, probably during the first couple of decades of the twentith century. I heard that this style of design was based on mathematical geometric shapes, where designers and artists were inspired by the many cultures, due to extensive travels. Back then, these buildings were used as the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) quarters for customs workers. The SIT was set up by the British in the 1920s to review the living conditions of Singapore.
