Author Archives: Remember Singapore

First Toa Payoh Secondary School No More

Although Toa Payoh was the second satellite town in Singapore after Queenstown, it was the first to be built solely by the Housing and Development Board (HDB). In 1968, First Toa Payoh Secondary School (FTPSS) became Toa Payoh’s first secondary … Continue reading

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Boon Lay, JTC and the En-Bloc Flats

As part of the early industrial development of Jurong, small residential estates were built to accommodate the increasing workers’ population as well as the resettled farmers and fishermen from the Jurong and Tuas villages. Hence, by the mid-sixties and mid-seventies … Continue reading

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Goodbye to the old Golden Shoe Hawker Centre

Many refer it to the Golden Shoe Hawker Centre, although its formal name was known as the Market Street Food Centre. Located at second and third levels of the Golden Shoe Carpark, the 33-year old food centre was formerly one … Continue reading

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Little Guilin and the Former Granite Quarries of Singapore

According to Singapore’s geological map, the island’s strongest rock formation is found at the Gombak Norite, where its rock is tested to be more than ten times stronger than concrete. During its heydays, there were nine quarries operated at Gombak … Continue reading

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Exploring the Ruins of Syonan Jinja at MacRitchie Reservoir

During the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese constructed two of their sacred sites in Singapore. One was the Syonan Chureito at the top of Bukit Batok Hill, while the other was the better-known Syonan Jinja at MacRitchite Reservoir. The Syonan Jinja … Continue reading

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Sungei Road Thieves’ Market – From Beginning Till the End

It was popularly known as Sungei Road Thieves’ Market, or Sungei Road Flea Market. In the past, it was also known as gek sng kio (“frosted bridge” in Hokkien and Teochew, referring to the former Singapore Ice Works in the … Continue reading

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Distant Memories of the Big Splash

The former Big Splash tower, once an iconic landmark at East Coast Park, is slated for demolition after almost 40 years of existence. Many Singaporeans would have fond memories of Big Splash – its slides, pools and restaurants – as … Continue reading

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McNair Road, Townerville and the Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital

Along McNair Road is an interesting sight, where the prewar terrace houses meet the modern public flats in an interesting mix of old and new architecture. Townerville, the prominent landmark of the McNair/Towner vicinity, refers to the rows of double-storey … Continue reading

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Remembrance of Othman Wok (1924-2017), Singapore’s First Malay Minister

One of Singapore’s early Cabinet ministers and old guards (first generation of the People’s Action Party (PAP)), Othman Wok was perhaps best known for his active participation and contributions to the nation’s social development and welfare of the local Malay … Continue reading

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Broadcasts, Dramas and Dreams… Caldecott Hill in 80 Years

Singapore’s broadcasting history officially started in 1935, 82 years ago, when the British Malayan Broadcasting Company (BMBC) was set up at Caldecott Hill. However, the first commercial wireless station had already existed in Singapore as early as 1915. In 1924, … Continue reading

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