Author Archives: Remember Singapore

The Forgotten Legacy of Chui Eng Free School

Located at Amoy Street, Chui Eng Free School (萃英书院) was established by the Hokkien Huay Kuan in 1854 with endowment from Tan Kim Seng (陈金声, 1805-1864), a wealthy Peranakan businessman and philanthropist who had donated generously to the education causes and … Continue reading

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Tanglin Shopping Centre’s 52-Year Legacy at Orchard Road

Opened in 1972, Tanglin Shopping Centre was one of Orchard Road’s earliest retail landmarks. Until its closure and demolition in 2024, it had witnessed, for more than half a century, the development and progress of Singapore’s most famous shopping belt. … Continue reading

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Tong Nam Tobacco and the Rise and Fall of Local Cigarette Producers

Along MacPherson Road, at its junction with Harvey Road, is a white double-storey shophouse that was once one of Singapore’s major cigarette manufacturers. This was the former factory of Tong Nam Tobacco Company (东南烟草公司). Tong Nam Tobacco Tobacco companies existed … Continue reading

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Reminiscing the Rustic Charm of Ulu Sembawang

Ulu Sembawang in the eighties remained a rustic, countryside-like place, seemingly isolated from the rest of Singapore that had seen rapid urbanisation over the years. Jalan Ulu Sembawang, the main route in the area, wound through a large part of … Continue reading

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Singapore’s 182 Years of Horse Racing Reaches the Finishing Line

On 5 October 2024, a 10,000-strong crowd turned up to witness Singapore’s final horse races held at the Singapore Turf Club’s Kranji racecourse. As the horses raced past the finishing line, it marked the end of a long and glorious … Continue reading

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Goodbye Bukit Timah Market and Hawker Centre

On the last day of September 2024, the Bukit Timah Market and Food Centre will be officially closed, spelling the end of its history that spans almost half a century. Built in 1975 at a cost of $1.4 million, the … Continue reading

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Our Favourite Soft Drinks of Yesteryears

We used to call our favourite soft drinks bok zwee or hor lan zwee (“bottled water” or “Holland water” in Hokkien), or ang sai that refers to Fraser & Neave (F&N) orange juice (“red lion” in Hokkien; referring to the F&N … Continue reading

Posted in Nostalgic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Nostalgic Memories of East Coast’s Road Safety Park

To many, the Road Safety Park (present-day Road Safety Community Park) brings back fond nostalgic memories of their fun school excursions and carefree student days. More than a million local students had played the traffic games held at this 4-hectare … Continue reading

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Old Hill Street Police Station, the Iconic Colourful Landmark by the Singapore River

Originally called the Hill Street Police Station and Barracks, the majestic six-storey Neoclassical-style colonial building was Singapore’s largest government building when it was completed at a cost of about $634,000 in 1934. It was dubbed by the British as one … Continue reading

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End of the Road for Trishaws in Singapore

The First Trishaws According to Singapore Infopedia, trishaws were first introduced in Singapore in 1914 as an improvised version to the two-wheel rickshaws. It had side chairs bolted to tricycle frames, and could be pedalled like bicycles. An American company … Continue reading

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