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Singapore Chinatown - Clarke Quay

Updated: Apr 9, 2021


1972 Map of the Clarke Quay area

Source: https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/maps_building_plans/record-details/faacd540-115c-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad


North Boat Quay

The North Boat Quay area is part of the north and south boat quay's that comprised godown's and merchants houses. Larger boats would dock further down at (South) Boat Quay while Bumboats would bring imported goods to the godowns at North Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Alkaff Quay.

May 1983

Source: https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/pictures/details/5a1c254c-4ddd-451c-b71b-484c89ecb71a?download=yes

February 2021

February 2021

Old Bumboats have been converted to Singapore River cruise vessels

February 2021

February 2021


Whampoa's Ice House

Whampoa senior came to Singapore in the early 1820s to supply beef, bread and vegetables to ships and the town. After his death, his son Hoo Ah Kay (d 1880) expanded the business of Whampoa & Co. and became a highly respected figure in the settlement. In 1854, Ho Ah Kay established Whampoa's Ice House on this site, stocking it with ice from America. The venture was, however, shortlived as consumption was only 400 to 500 lbs a day and a sale of 1,000 lbs was necessary to meet cost and expenses. Hoo Ah Kay was also famous for the enchanting tropical gardens surrounding his home which have inspired Clarke Quay's riverside green.

February 2021


Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay and Clarke Street were named after Sir Andrew Clarke (1824-1902). He was the Governor of the Straits Settlements from 1873 to 1875.


The Singapore River has been the centre of trade since modern Singapore was founded in 1819. During the colonial era, Boat Quay was the commercial centre where barge lighters (bumboats) would transport goods upstream to warehouses at Clarke Quay.


At the height of its prosperity, dozens of bumboats jostled for mooring space beside Clarke Quay. This continued well into the later half of the 20th century. By this time, the Singapore River had also become very polluted. The government decided to relocate cargo services to a new modern facility in Pasir Panjang. The bumboats and lorries departed to their new home and Clarke Quay fell silent.



Paterson's Godown

This large godown was designed by the firm of Swan & Lermit for Messrs Paterson Simons & Co. in the early 1890's. An English trading company established in the 1820's, Paterson Simon & Co. exported commodities such as gutta - percha, gambier, copra, tapioca, sago flour, hides and skin to Europe and America and imported cotton and manufactured goods to Southeast Asia. Mr William Paterson 1898) also served as Chairman of the (1823 - Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China for 20 years.

February 2021

February 2021


Clarke Street

Clarke Street was names in 1896. Prior to the rename it was knows as East and West Road.


Source: What's in the Name? by Ng Yew Peng, pg. 125

December 2018 (from Tan Tye Place)

February 2021 (from North Boat Quay)

May 1983 (from North Boat Quay)


Source: https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/pictures/details/b920c525-7dac-4d23-9425-2af07ca269af


February 2021 (from Clarke Quay Fountain)

February 2021 (from Clarke Quay Fountain)


Read Street

William Henry Macleod Read (1819-1909) was a Partner at A L Johnston & Co. and one of the first directors of Eastern Asia Telegraph Co. Ltd. He was credited for his exertions and influence in England for the eventual transfer of the Straits Settlements from the East India Company to the Colonial Office in London in 1867 ("Transfer"). He became one of the first European unofficial members of the Legislative Council during the Transfer. Read Street was a rename of North and South Road in 1896.


Source: What's in the Name? by Ng Yew Peng, pg 370


February 2021 (from North Boat Quay)


Tan Yeok Nee's Godown (Building on the left (D Block))

This godown was rebuilt to its present appearance for Tan Yeok Nee (1827 - 1902) in 1891. A Teochew cloth pedlar turned gambier and pepper trader property investor. Mr. Tan is remembered for his elegant Chinese-style house at Clemenceau Avenue which is gazetted National Monument.

February 2021 (from North Boat Quay)

February 2021 (from Clarke Quay Fountain)

February 2021 (from Clarke Quay Fountain)

February 2021 (from River Valley Road)


Canning Lane

Originally called Chong Long Street, after one of Singapore's very early wealth merchants, Chong Long (d. 1838). The change of name to Cannery/Canning Lane is unrecorded but is probably linked to the pineapple canning factories in the area in the 19th century.


February 2021 (corner North Boat Quay)

Canning Lane approx. 1990


Source: https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/5eba4c06-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad

February 2021

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