|
Source:
Liu, Gretchen. (1986). Singapore Historical Postcards.
Singapore: Times Editions. |
By
the 1900s, Singapore River began to see her busiest days.
With the invention of ships with steam engines, there was
an increase in the amount of goods passing through Singapore.
As a result, the river began to swell with the increase in
traffic.
Teeming with bumboats of different sizes, which was in turn
was ran by groups of handlers of different races and dialect
groups, these boats traveled up and down the river transferring
the goods to the warehouses and shops. With so many bumboats
in the river, it was a wonder how the boats were able to navigate
up and down the river.
|
This
postcard shows Boat Quay in 1905. The changing landscape
of Boat Quay was captured in this photograph. The buildings
in the background continued to grow in height as Singapore
developed. The facade of the buildings was also different,
changing into something which we are more familiar with.
In the background stood the Supreme Court which continued
to operate until 1939 when the new Supreme Court was built.
|
Source:
Liu, Gretchen. (1986). Singapore Historical Postcards.
Singapore: Times Editions. |
| 
Source:
Lu, G. (1999). Singapore – A Pictorial History (1819-2000).
Singapore: Didier Millet. |
The
Fullerton Building was built in 1928 to house the new General
Post Office. The building was built on the site of the old
General Post Office and was designed by a Shanghai-based firm
of architects. It's grand columns and imposing facade made
it one of the more prominent building along the waterfront.
Even today, the Fullerton Building with its old world grace
continued to be a significant landmark in Singapore.
|
By
1910, there were rows of buildings located along the Singapore
River. The architecture of the buildings were reminiscent
of those seen in the movies of old Shanghai and even buildings
that lined the canals of Venice. The horse-drawn carriages
that were in front of the buildings created a Singapore that
most of us had not seen or known of. The influence of the
colonial government could be seen and felt through this photograph.
|
Source:
Lu, G. (1999). Singapore – A Pictorial History (1819-2000).
Singapore: Didier Millet. |
Source:
Lu, G. (1999). Singapore – A Pictorial History (1819-2000).
Singapore: Didier Millet. |
As
early as 1910, the River Regatta had been taking place in
the Singapore. Started as a part of New Year celebrations
and a means to promote interaction about the different groups
of people, the regatta was an event which allowed the different
races to display their skills in sailing their traditional
crafts.
With
changing times, sailboats were introduced, taking the River
Regatta to the next level.
|
Besides
meeting the basic needs of the people living around the river,
there were also different form of entertainment which provided
much needed relaxation for the workers.
Temporary
stages such as this could be seen along the upper reaches of
the river, usually next to the Ellenbrough Market, where Chinese
operas were put up for a few days before they moved off to their
next location.
These
opera troupes were operated by the different dialect groups.
Hence they have their own favourite script, costumes and makeup,
enabling them to keep the audience entertained. |
Source:
Liu, Gretchen. (1986). Singapore Historical Postcards.
Singapore: Times Editions. |
|
Source:
Archives & Oral History Department. (1982). Singapore
Retrospect Through Postcards: 1900 -1930. Singapore:
Sin Chew Jit Poh (S) Ltd. |
By
the 1930s, the South Bank of the Singapore River had developed
into a financial and commercial centre for the nation. This
photograph shows a view of Raffles Place in 1930 where the
central square was a carpark. Many people worked in the different
companies located in this area. The number of cars parked
in this area also indicated the affluence of this place.
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