More Places and Buildings
“Book City” in Two Streets: The Chinese Bookstore Scene in Postwar Singapore
Some Chinese bookstores in Singapore have managed to survive despite the challenges of the digital age and the decline in Chinese readers.
Johor at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
The story of how Johor ended up at the Chicago World’s Fair is an unexpected twist in Malaya’s colonial past.
Union Book Stands Tall At 70
Located in Bras Basah Complex, the Chinese bookstore has played an important role in the development of the Chinese literary scene.
Subterranean Singapore: A Deep Dive into Manmade Tunnels and Caverns Underground in the City State
Singapore has been burrowing underground since the 19th century, but it was only after Independence that serious efforts were made to use subterranean space.
They Died for All Free Men: Stories from Kranji War Cemetery
Remembering those who died while fighting the Japanese during World War II.
No Longer “Dirty, Unhygienic, Crowded and Messy”: The Story of Singapore’s Changing Wet Markets
Wet markets have existed in Singapore since 1825. Zoe Yeo looks at how these markets have changed over time.
A History of The Padang
Kevin Tan looks at what makes the 4.3-hectare patch of green in front of the former City Hall building so special.
Labouring to Deliver: A History of Kandang Kerbau Hospital
The old Kandang Kerbau Hospital was once known as the busiest maternity hospital in the world. Joanna Tan delivers the story behind a hallowed Singapore institution.
The Padang: Centrepiece of Colonial Design
This expanse of green fringed by grand colonial edifices in the city centre is a statement of British might, as Lai Chee Kien tells us.
How Changi Airport Came To Be
As Singapore’s Changi Airport marks its 40th anniversary in 2021, Rebecca Tan uncovers fascinating facts behind the decision to build the airport and how it eventually took shape.
The House of Ripples
Martina Yeo and Yeo Kang Shua piece together historical details of the little-known River House in Clarke Quay and discover that it was once a den for illicit triad activity.
Planning to Build, Building to Plan
The collection of building plans in the National Archives of Singapore is a treasure trove of information about the history of urban Singapore, says Yap Jo Lin.
Karikal Mahal: The Lost Palace of a Fallen Cattle King
William L. Gibson uncovers the story behind the pair of grand buildings along Still Road South and their transformation over the last century.
From Sea to Road: Building the Causeway
The foundation stone for the Causeway was laid 100 years ago on 24 April 1920. Building it was a major engineering feat at the time.
Keong Saik Road: The Other Side of the Red-Light District
Charmaine Leung relives the sights and sounds of Keong Saik Road – where she lived in the 1970s and 80s – and says it has more to offer than its former notoriety.
Dieppe Barracks: “Our Little Kingdom” in Sembawang
Military camps and training areas comprise a significant portion of Singapore’s land use. What can a single camp tell us about Singapore’s geopolitical history? A lot, as it turns out, says Chua Jun Yan.
Give Me Shelter: The Five-footway Story
The five-footway – the equivalent to the modern-day pavement or sidewalk – was a hotly contested space in colonial Singapore. Fiona Lim relives its colourful history.
Mother Island: Finding Singapore’s Past in Pulau Lingga
Singapore’s history is closely intertwined with that of Lingga’s. The kings that once reigned from its shores played a pivotal role in the fate of the Malay world, including the birth of modern Singapore, as Faris Joraimi reveals.
To Wreck or to Recreate: Giving New Life to Singapore’s Built Heritage
Nearly 70 years have passed since a committee was set up to look into the preservation of buildings and sites with historical value. Lim Tin Seng charts the journey.
Building History: From Stamford Road to Canning Rise
Abigail Huang tracks the movement of the National Archives of Singapore, from its early days in the Raffles Museum and Library on Stamford Road to an old school building at the foot of Fort Canning.
The Istana Turns 150
The resplendent Istana – where colonial governors and modern-day presidents once lived – celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2019. Wong Sher Maine recounts key moments in its history.