The Hill Street Heritage Trail is part of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s ongoing effort to document and present the history and social memories of the Chamber and Singapore’s economic development. We hope this trail will bring back fond memories for Singaporeans and serve as a useful source of information for visitors.
Hill Street was one of the earliest major roads named following the establishment of a trading post by the British in Singapore. In 1906, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce (renamed the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1977, hereinafter referred to as “the Chamber”) was founded. Initially renting the space on Hill Street, the Chamber purchased Da Fu Di and made it its official premises.
Since then, the history of the Chamber and Hill Street have been closely intertwined, witnessing over a century of Singapore’s growth and transformation. From business activities to cultural exchanges, Hill Street has long been a hub of Singapore’s multiethnic and multi-racial society. It has brought together businessmen from diverse backgrounds, shaping the city’s unique and vibrant multicultural identity.
Historically, Hill Street has been the home of many important organisations. The Chinese Consulate, the American Consulate, the Oriental Telephone and Electric Company and the Lee Brothers Studio were once located here. Furthermore, many colonial buildings such as the Central Fire Station, Old Hill Street Police Station, the Armenian Church and the Masjid Al-Burhani Mosque have been preserved on Hill Street. These buildings are not only a significant part of Singapore’s history but have also stood as silent witnesses to its transformation from a colony to a modern city-state. Hill Street is deeply embedded in the memories of Singaporeans, serving as a powerful symbol of the nation’s cultural identity and collective heritage.
To celebrate Singapore’s 60th year of independence, the SCCCI Chinese Entrepreneurial Culture Foundation has specially launched the Hill Street Heritage
Trail learning journey. This National Education programme not only highlights the Chamber’s role in Singapore’s economic development and its significance to the Chinese community but also reinforces the nation’s multicultural values and strengthens our Singaporean identity.
We hope that by uncovering the history of Hill Street, readers will be able to walk down Hill Street and rediscover the rich cultural heritage it holds. Through this journey, one can gain a deeper appreciation of Singapore’s unique multicultural identity and develop a stronger connection to this land that carries our collective memories and emotions. Here, you will experience Singapore’s historical significance and cultural vibrancy, deepening your appreciation for the city’s enduring legacy and timeless charm.
Hill Street on the Map of Singapore Town (1862)
Urban Redevelopment Authority Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Hill Street is a major road in the Downtown Core of Singapore, starting from the edge of New Bridge Road of Da Po (大坡) and ending at the junction of Stamford Road and Victoria Street of Xiao Po (小坡). Today, Hill Street is a bustling street, with several sites and landmarks of importance.
The Hill Street heritage trail uncovers the rich history and transformation of this street, which was filled with shophouses and buildings of diverse architectural styles, to the current day high-rise buildings. It also explores the communities, religious, political and educational landmarks that collectively make up Hill Street’s unique cultural landscape. The Hill Street heritage trail provides an invaluable guide to Singapore’s most fascinating cultural and historic district.
These buildings along Hill Street show that the different races and religions have lived harmoniously since the early 19th century. More importantly, the congregation of different merchants and traders, regardless of race and nationality, further proves the importance of commercial trade that has taken place in the area during the early 19th century. Hill Street is not merely a street, but a street that draws in commercial trade and important merchants, earning its name as the Business Street.
We hope this self-guided trail will help you explore and rediscover Hill Street as a place rich in heritage, which generated many fond memories for Singaporeans through time.
How did Hill Street derive its name? It was due to its proximity to Fort Canning Hill (formerly the Government Hill or Bukit Larangan). Engineered by Singapore's first town planner, Hill Street was one of the earliest streets to be laid in Singapore, after High Street in 1819.
The buildings that line Hill Street mirror Singapore’s developmen t from its colonial founding t o
p ost-independence. On thi s street are various important old and new buildings, which have been noted for their architectural significance. Withstanding more than a centurylong transformation, Hill Street is certainly one of the most historically and economically significant streets in Singapore.
The locals called Hill Stree t “Ong Ka Swa Kha” in Hokkie n (the foot of Government Hill) as the Governor's residence was located on Government Hill. They also called Hill Street “Shui Xian Men Er Ma Lu” (水仙门二 马路) and “Xiao Po Er Ma Lu” (小坡二马路) because Hill Street and its vicinities adjacent to the Singapore River was nicknamed “Shui Xian Men”. There are seven parallel roads in Xiao Po where Hill Street is the second.
Da Po and Xiao Po used to be the only vibrant town area of Singapore. People who lived in Shua Ding (山顶), which means rural villages, would take two hours to Luo Po (落坡), that is to come to the town.
47 Hill Street
When Stamford Raffles arrived in Singapore in 1819, he and William Farquhar implemented a free trade policy, providing the catalyst and foundation for a modern Singapore.
Shortly, waves of Chinese immigrants arrived on Singapore shores in the 19th century and formed clans based on geographical ties, kinship or trade.
A portrait of Stamford Raffles (The 1800s) Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
During the late 19th century, the Chinese merchants played an important role in nudging the island’s embryonic trade towards maturity, cementing Singapore’s vital function as an impetus to trade with the East and West.
As the commercial environment and social demands grew more complex, the local Chinese merchants felt the need to establish a Chinese Chamber to strengthen their cooperation and address the growing welfare needs of the Chinese community in Singapore. Hence, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce (hereinafter known as the Chamber, later known as Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1977) was established in 1906. On 16 March 1906, the Chamber formed the first Council of 52 members, with Goh Siew Tin and Tan Hoon Chui elected to the positions of President and Vice-President respectively.
The Chamber was housed in the Thong Chai Medical Institution during the initial stages of its establishment. It subsequently moved to the house of Wee Ah Hood at 49 Hill Street.
The history of the Chamber is inextricably linked to Singapore’s national and economic development. Since its establishment, the organisation has marched through different chapters in Singapore’s history.
In the early 1960s, bolstered by the strong support and generous donation from its members, the Chamber rebuilt its original premises into an elegant and modern building.
Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore, highly affirmed the value of the Chamber’s history in 1966. He said, “The history of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce is a reflection of the history of Singapore.” This is the highest affirmation given by the Singapore government to the contributions of the Chamber.
The Chamber building embodies a mixture of Eastern and Western architectural styles. The opening ceremony of the building was held on 20 September 1964.
SCCCI Collection
Over a century, th e Chamber has evolved into the apex Chinese business organisation in Singapor e. The Chamber will continue to uphold the Chamber Chinese Entrepreneuria l Spirit, collaborating with government agencies to promote the economic development of the country, cultural and educationa l development, societa l stability and racial harmony.
This street was home to two out of the four Teochew grand mansions in Singapore – house of Wee Ah Hood and house of Tan Seng Poh. Many merchants congregated and resided at Hill Street in the early days, affirming its role as a hub for commercial trade.
Teochew Great Mansions
In the 19th century, there were four prominent Chinese-style mansions built by Teochew merchants in Singapore.
House of Seah Eu Chin (1872)
(Da Fu Di 大府第)
House of Tan Seng Poh (1869)
The current field in front of Parliament House is the site of the house of Seah Eu Chin.
(Chao Yi Di 朝议第)
House of Wee Ah Hood (1873)
(Da Fu Di 大夫第)
TEOCHEW GRAND MANSIONS
House of Tan Yeok Nee (1885)
(Zi Zheng Di 资政第)
58 Hill Street
The First Teochew Mansion in Singapore
The house of Tan Seng Poh, built in 1869, also known as Chao Yi Di (朝议第), was located at the junction of Hill Street and Loke Yew Street. It was also once used as the office of Chinese Consulate.
About Tan Seng Poh
Tan Seng Poh (1830 – 1879) was a Teochew merchant who was born in Ipoh, Perak, Malaya. His father, Tan Ah Hun, was from Chao’an and became the wealthy Capitan China of Perak. Tan Seng Poh’s eldest and second sisters married Seah Eu Chin with whom he had close business ties.
In 1871, he was appointed as the first Chinese Municipal Commissioner. Subsequently, he became a Justice of the Peace and an Honorary Magistrate in 1872. He often led community fundraising activities, including the temple building for the Yueh Hai Ching Temple, one of the oldest Teochew temples in Singapore.
Today’s Seng Poh Road SCCCI Collection
After Tan Seng Poh passed away in 1879, the mansion was put up for auction in November 1900. It was later demolished and replaced by a row of shophouses by 1904.
Legacy
Today, Seng Poh Road and Seng Poh Lane in Tiong Bahru estate are named after Tan Seng Poh.
The house of Tan Seng Poh was the earliest of the four teochew mansions in Singapore. DID YOU KNOW?
49 Hill Street, renumbered as 47 Hill Street in the late 1920s
The house of Wee Ah Hood was built in 1873 on Hill Street and located diagonally opposite the house of Tan Seng Poh. It was also known as Da Fu Di (大夫第). Wee Ah Hood was born in Circular Road in 1828 and began his life as an assistant in a cloth dealer’s shop in Telok Ayer Street. Later, Wee Ah Hood made his fortune in the textile industry and subsequently became one of the biggest pepper and gambier traders of his time.
The House of Wee Ah Hood
His residence was a courtyard mansion made up of a hybrid of Teochew and Straits Settlements architectural styles. There was a traditional Teochew ornate entrance gate opening into a fron t courtyard while the building structure was designed in the style of “five-footway” shophouses. In 1875, he died in his residence.
The current Chamber building was once the house of the Wee Ah Hood.
The exterior of the house of Wee Ah Hood (The 1950s) Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
After his death, his eldest son, Wee Kim Yam, leased out the residence to numerous parties from 1900 to 1905. In 1906, the Chamber moved into the leased building and bought it in 1912. In the late 1920s, it was renumbered to 47 Hill Street.
In 1939, a few Council Members proposed to rebuild the premises but the plan was halted due to World War II. After the war, a few attempts were made regarding the reconstruction of the building. Finally, in the 1960s, a new 10-storey building replaced the original premises and opened its doors in 1964.
Ah Hood Road off Balestier Road was named after Wee Ah Hood.
Hill Street was a busy thoroughfare. The progress of Hill Street had much to do with the infrastructure of the area. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 increased shipping traffic to the East and amplified Singapore’s importance as a trading crossroads of the East. To travel between commercial hubs and the docks
more conveniently and effectively, there was an increasing need to provide a public transport system in Singapore to the heart of the business street. The development of transportation in Hill Street is inevitably intertwined with the growing importance of transforming Hill Street into a business Street.
Various modes of transport such as rickshaws, trams and trolley buses appeared in Hill Street during the 20th century.
Rickshaw at Hill Street (1910)
Lim Kheng Chye Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Electrical tram at Collyer Quay (1905)
Koh Seow Chuan Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
View of Hill Street (Early 1900s)
Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Trolley bus at the junction of Stamford Road and Hill Street (Late 1920s)
Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Private buses such as mosquito buses and omnibuses also operated in Singapore in the 1920s to ferry passengers from the outskirts of the town.
1881-1890: 55 Hill Street
1899-1901: 58 Hill Street
The growing trade in Singapore resulted in the establishment of various consulates in Singapore. The Chinese Consulate and the United States Consulate were once located in Hill Street. The United States Consulate was later transformed into the Embassy of the United States. Consulates are state representatives, focusing more on the commercial and trading interests of their countries to protect the affairs of the citizens. The establishment of the Chinese Consulate and the United States Consulate in Hill Street further reinforces the importance of business along this street.
The Chinese Consulate was located at the junction of Hill Street and Loke Yew Street. This was the same location as the house of Tan Seng Poh.
In 1876, Qing China started negotiating with the British Foreign Office in London on the possibility of setting up a consulate in Singapore to protect the Chinese. The Straits Settlements government established the Chinese Protectorate to handle Chinese affairs such as import of coolies, secret societies, and prostitution in May 187 7. Subsequently, the Qing government set up the Chinese Consulate in October 1877. It first started its operation in Whampoa's shop at the junction of Boat Quay.
In 1881, the Chinese Consulate moved to Hill Street. The Chinese Consulate in Singapore aimed to oversee business affairs, protect the overseas Chinese merchants’ and civilians’ rights as well as attract overseas Chinese’s economic power. The Chinese Consul was appointed by the Qing government to uphold and protect the rights of overseas Chinese. The Chinese Consulate also provided services such as management of maritime business affairs, distribution of passports and registration of overseas Chinese. The Chinese Consulate moved out of Hill Street in 1902.
30 Hill Street
The first consulate operating office was housed in Serangoon Road and eventually shifted to 30 Hill Street in 1961. It underscores the growing importance of United States' trade relations in Singapore.
In 1966, the United States Consulate was raised to the status of the Embassy of the United States, Francis J. Galbraith then became the first ambassador of the United States in Singapore.
Joseph B. Balestier, a sugarcane planter and merchant, was the first Consul-General of United States for Singapore. Balestier Road was named after Joseph Balestier.
W P Maddox, United States
Consul-General, welcoming Yusof Ishak, Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore at the United States
Consulate at Hill Street (1961)
Yusof Ishak Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
It underwent renovation and was completed in 1961 by James Ferrie & Partners. The new building was a simple rectangular form with vertical dull gold anodised aluminium.
Following Singapore’s independence, the United States established the Embassy of the United States to strengthen diplomatic relations between Singapore and the United States. The resource room in the Embassy attracted many young adults who wanted to pursue further studies in the United States. Information on American universities, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Graduate
The United States Consulate (The 1960s)
The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Reprinted with permission
Management Admission Test (GMAT) could be found here.
In 1972, the embassy also organised a five-day event to exhibit 500 catalogues from different American companies specialising in the manufacturing and sale of environment equipment and systems. It signalled the congregation of merchants, regardless of race and nationality, within Hill Street. The embassy moved to 27 Napier Road in 1996.
15 Hill Street
In the early 19 th century , Singapore was a maze of narrow streets with slums. Due to swampy slum areas, serious fires and increasing secret society activities were common sights. Communication line s became vital in the process of modern city making, allowing people to stay connected. The history and developments of the Oriental Telephone and Electric Company (OTEC), the Central Fire Station and the Hill Street Polic e Station reflected our nation’ s development from a rural setting to a modern city. More importantly, it signalled the increasing need for modern infrastructure to support the increasing commercial trade that was taking place in Hill Street.
One of the earliest floor plans of OTEC (1904)
Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
The telephone was firs t introduced in Singapore in 1879 by Bennett Pell, a manager of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company. The OTEC, a British company registered in London, bought over Pell’s Private Telephone Exchange and subsequently shifted the branch to Hill Street in 1907.
Situated at Hill Street, the OTEC adopted an Indo-Saracenic style instead of the classical European style. Regent Alfred John Bidwell, an English-born architect from Swan and MacLaren, designed the OTEC building at Hill Street.
In 1955, the network was taken over by the British colonial government, which established the Singapore Telephone Board. It became responsible for the provision of telephone communication on the island.
The Singapore Telephone Board merged with the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore in 1974 to form Telecoms. In 1979, the OTEC building made way for a new 14-storey Telephone House Complex. The telephone system and telegraph faciliated a closely connected business network of traders. It allowed people to communicate across distances and partially shifted the mode of business from space to time.
Yusof Ishak, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore, at the Exchange Room (1961)
Yusof
Singapore was reported to be the first city in the East to have a telephone system.
Regent Alfred John Bidwell’s well-known works included the Raffles Hotel, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall in Singapore, and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Kuala Lumpur.
62 Hill Street
Background Information
Gazetted as a National Monument in 1998, the Central Fire Station is Singapore’s oldest surviving fire station. The Central Fire Station is still operational today and serves an area covering the Central Business District.
In Singapore’s early year s, there was no proper fire brigade. The early fire brigades consisted of volunteers, policemen and soldiers.
Superintendent Montague William Pett, a professional firefighter from England, championed the building of the Central Fire Station, and replaced the outdated equipment with modernised technolog y. Completed in 1909, the Central Fire Station was the tallest structure in Singapore of that time, towering over the surrounding buildings in Hill Street and Beach Road.
During World War II, the British officers painted the building’s striking red and white facade to green to camouflage it from being targeted by Japanese aircraft. Nevertheless, the building had to sustain numerous direct hits from Japanese bombs but remained functional. The firemen played a crucial role in responding to various small fires caused by Japanese bombs.
After the war, the firefighters at the Central Fire Station continued to respond to national emergencies and rescue operations, which included the Bukit Ho Swee fire in 1961.
The purpose of a lookout tower, which rises 110 feet above the ground, was to spot fire in central Singapore. This was before fire alarms were installed in 1915.
140 Hill Street
Behind the Façade
What is the history behind the building that lies at the junction of River Valley Road and Hill Street with rainbow coloured window shutters? It was the Old Hill Street Police Station, which is now home to the Ministry of Communications and Information and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (formerly Ministry of Information and the Arts).
The Hill Street Police Station was specially built to provide accommodatio n fo r polic e personnel. The completion of the Hill Street Police Station reflected the modernisation of Singapore’s Police Force, social progress and demands of medical and health services of that time.
The Hill Street Police Station was used by military police on two brief occasions. During the Japanese Occupation period, the Kempeitai moved in to the Police Station t o hold and interrogate suspects. With the implementation of Nationa l Service in 1967, the Singapore Armed Forces Provost Unit grew rapidly and moved from Beach Road to the Hill Street Police Station in 197 0. It relocated to Ulu Pandan a year later.
The Hill Street Police Station, officially opened in 1934, was designed by Frank Dorrington Ward.
Mrs J A Bennett Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
What happened to the building after th e war? It continued to serve as a home to the police force until 1980. In 1998, the building was gazetted as a National Monument. It later housed the different government agencies from 1983 onwards. The building was then renamed the Hill Street Building. In 1999, it became the new home for the then Ministry of Information and the Arts after its renovation. That was when the windows were painted in its iconi c rainbow shades.
There are 927 windows on the building. DID YOU KNOW?
60 Hill Street
As Singapore became mor e populated from the 1850s, it s communities established religious institutions that administered to their religious needs. In addition to being a business street, Hill Street is also home to communities of different religions and beliefs, which included the Armenian Apostolic Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator (Armenia n Church) and the Masjid al Burhani.
The early 1820s saw the first Armenian merchants making their way to Singapore. There were 16 Armenians in Singapore by 1824 and the number increased to 35 by 1833. In 1827, the Armenian community in Singapore began to raise funds to build their church. The Armenian Church was built by colonial architect George Dromgold Coleman in 1835 with funding from the Armenian community. The church is testament to the influence of the Armenian community in Singapore during the 19th century.
Armenian Church is the oldest church in Singapore. DID YOU KNOW?
The Memorial Garden of the Armenian Church displays the tombstones, but not the actual graves, of the influential Armenian community of Singapore. Famous among them were Agnes Joaquim who hybridised the orchid, "Vanda Miss Joaquim" (named as Singapore’s national flower), as well as Catchick Moses, co-founder of The Straits Times newspaper.
The building was gazetted as a National Monument on 28 June 1973. In 1994, architectural firm Quek Associates led a project to restore the church. Eventually, the restoration project won an award for excellence in the building’s conservation at the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s inaugural Architectural Heritage Awards.
Armenian Church (1962)
Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
The Armenian Community (The 1930s) Armenian Church Trust Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Today’s Armenian Church SCCCI Collection
39 Hill Street
Tucked behind the swanky Capitol Piazza stands the Masjid al Burhani. The mosque is the seat of the Dawoodi Bohra community – a tightly-kni t Indian Muslim community from Gujarat , India. In the 1850s, there was a community of about 400 people. The Dawoodi Bohras are "Shiite" Muslims
which form the Muslim population of Singapore along with the majority "Sunni" Muslims. The community began as traders, with their roots in India’s north-western state of Gujarat. The word Bohra is from the Gujarati words “vohorvu” or “vyavahar” which translates as “to trade”.
The Dawoodi Bohra community has a dress code upon entering the mosque. The males must be clad in all-white robes from top to toe, and a white skullcap embellished in gold thread while the women wear a two-piece outfit called the rida, leaving only their faces uncovered.
A merchant, A.M. Essabhoy, first built the Masjid al Burhani as a single-storey mosque in 1870. The mosque underwent renovation with a cost of $170,000 and was reopened as a four-storey building in 1959 by Amil Saheb Abdulkader,
high priest of the Bombay Dawoodi Bohra community. Later, it was renovated and reopened as a 10-storey mosque complex in 2000. The Dawoodi Bohra community had bore the costs of enlarging the mosque. The visitors will be greeted inside by the prayer hall adorned with gilded Arabic inscriptions and ornate chandeliers.
The present building is entered not from Hill Street but through St. Gregory’s Place at rear. The mosque's main entrance along Hill Street is reserved for ceremonial occasions.
52 Hill Street
During colonial times, local females were usually not given the opportunity to attend school. At the turn of the 19th century, some members of the Chinese merchant community saw the need to establish a Chinese girls’ school to achieve gender equality.
With the visionary leadership of the local Chinese pioneers, Sir Song Ong Siang and Dr Lim Boon Keng, Singapore Chinese Girls’ School was established on 1 July 1899. It differed from the existing girls’ schools during that time because it was not started by missionaries.
At the first year of establishment, there were seven students. Mary Geary was the first headmistress of Singapore Chinese Girls’ School while
Dr Lim Boon Keng’s wife, Margaret Wong, was one of the teaching staff. The school provided English and Chinese education, at a time when female education was largely neglected in Singapore.
Portrait of Lim Boon Keng, the founding Council Member of the Chamber (1910) Lee Brothers Studio Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Group photo of staff and students of the Singapore Chinese Girls' School (The 1900s)
Singapore Chinese Girls' School Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Relocation
Singapore Chinese Girls’ School later moved to Emerald Hill with a two-storey block in 1925. After World War II, the school opened its doors to students of all races.
Singapore Chinese Girls’ School later moved to Dunearn Road on 4 July 1994. Till today, Singapore Chinese Girls’ School continues to provide a rich, balanced and holistic education so every student is developed to her fullest potential. The establishment of Singapore Chinese Girls’ School is a testament of the Chinese leaders’ foresight to provide formal education for girls.
64 Hill Street
Street hawking was a common sight in early Singapore. Afte r World War II, the governmen t placed more emphasis on th e organisation and cleanliness o f the street hawking. Eventually, the government relocated the hawkers into permanent food centres and covered markets, changing th e business modes of street hawkers.
What used to occupy the empty grass patch next to the Central Fire Station? It was the Hill Street Food Centre, which was opened in 1984. The four-storey food centre had 140 stalls, of which 52 stalls were reserved for Thong Chai Hawkers while 56 were for those of Capitol Shopping Centre.
Hill Street Food Centre (1988) Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Today's empty grass patch next to the Central Fire Station
SCCCI Collection
In 1989, Hill Street Food Centre reported poor business, resulting in some of the stalls at the fourth level to move to the third level. The Hill Street Food Centre also lost out to Funan Centre, which opened in 1985 across the street, in terms of the environment. The latter was the first air-conditioned food centre i n Singapore. Compared to the Hil l Street Food Centre, the Funan Centre food court was much more comfortable.
It was planned to have i ts doors shut in 1997 fo r r edevelopment but this wa s postponed. Unfortunately, the Hill Street Food Centre pulled down its shutters for the final time in 2000, making way for new developments along Hill Street.
58-4 Hill Street
Located at 58-4 Hill Street (the corner of Hill Street and Loke Yew Street), the Lee Brothers Studio was an extensive photographic enterprise run by a large Cantonese family with the surname of Lee. The two brothers, Lee King Yan and Lee Poh Yan, set up the Lee Brothers Studio in 1910.
The studio was particularly known for its skills in studio portraitures as it was able to capture the characteristics of the camera’s subjects naturally and subtly. Before World War II, the Lee Brothers Studio was one of the famous family-run photography studios in Singapore.
In the early 1920s, Lee King Yan opened another studio, the Eastern Studio, at Stamford Road while the business in Hill Street was left to Lee Poh Yan. With the imminent outbreak of World War II, Lee Poh Yan decided to permanently close the Lee Brothers Studio.
As a family-run photographic studio, the three-storey shophouse doubled as the home of the families of the two brothers. The family confined their private activities to behind the second-floor office. The third floor contained the studio and darkroom, allowing customers to take photographs at this level. The studio was also equipped with decorative painted backdrops imported from Shanghai and Europe, and various props.
Lee Hin Ming, the eldest son of Lee Poh Yan, donated a large collection of photos to the National Archives of Singapore in 1994, thus ensuring the survival of a unique and impressive record of the people of Singapore in the early 20th century.
The Lee Brothers Studio Collection in National Archives of Singapore consists of 2,775 studio portrait prints and 760 glass-plate negatives that portray an extensive record of multi-faceted Singapore in the early 20th century.
15 Stamford Road
Stamford House (The 1990s)
The New York Public Library
Beginning
The Stamford House is an iconic three-storey building sitting at the corner of the junction of Stamford Road and Hill Street with its main entrance facing Stamford Road. Completed in 1904, it was designed by the firm Swan and Maclaren in a Venetian Renaissance style by the architect Regent Alfred John Bidwell as a commercial entity. It was originally called the Oranje Building, which belonged to Seth
Swan and Maclaren also designed many various architectural buildings in Singapore including the Civilian War Memorial.
Paul. Today, the building has been redeveloped along with the adjoining Capitol Building and opened as a hotel in October 2018 – The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore.
Occupying the first two storeys, Whiteaway Laidlaw & Co. moved from Raffles Place to operate their business there till 1910. Thus, during the initial years, the building was commonly referred to as the Whiteaway, Laidlaw a nd Co. Building. It offere d products that appealed to the Europeans and wealthy l ocals. Raffles Hote l subsequently took over the two top floors as an annex due to the shortage of rooms until 1913. In 1920, the building underwent a major renovation to transform it into a proper hotel.
Today’s Capitol Kempinski Hotel SCCCI Collection
The exterior of Stamford House (The 1980s-1990s) G P Reichelt Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Basco Enterprises Private Limited bought the building in 1963 and renamed it Stamford House in 1969. The Urban Redevelopment Authority subsequently acquired the Stamford House in 1984 and led a conservation project to restore
the building’s unique design in 1991. All three floors were converted into a furnishing retail complex, with expanded amenities such as central air-conditioning, escalators and lifts.
107 North Bridge Rd
Funan Centre opened its doors in 1985 and was one of the first few Urban Redevelopment Authority projects in the 1980s. It stood at the former site of Coleman Street, Chin Nam Street, Hong Hin Court and Hock Lam Street. Hock Lam Street was one of the most popular street-side eating places in Singapore.
Transformation
Coleman Street has a nickname Jiu Dian Jie (酒店街), translated directly as “Hotel Street” because of the various hotels erected along the street. Chin Nam Street was named after Dentist Cheong Chin Nam. Hong Hin Court was named after Hong Hin Company, one of Tan Kim Seng’s business units.
Hock Lam Street was named after Hock Lam Remittance Co., one of Low Kim Pong’s business units.
Over the years, Funan Centre was renamed many times.
Today, Funan Mall is home to more than 190 brands and has become the centre of commercial, social and cultural activities along Hill Street. As usual, the third floor is dedicated to IT retailers.
The exterior of Funan Centre (1989) Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Street vendors at Hock Lam Street (The 1960s)
RAFSA Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
As we enter the new millennium, it is time that we reflect on these spaces of the past and present. Each of these locations in Hill Street was chosen based on its role in the history of Singapore. The congregation of the merchants in Hill Street not only indicates that Hill Street is the centre of commerce in this city but also reflects the importance of Hill Street of that period. With the passing of each decade, the model of business evolved to reflect changes in the times. Hill Street also consists of a wide range of cultures, ethnicities and religions, reflecting the multiculturalism and diversity in Singapore.
Each location stands as a powerful reminder of our shared memory, our roots and our achievements. The memories associated with these places and the landscapes fashioned by our ancestors are our links to the past – they help us to understand our present and ourselves. Through these stories, we learn more about our pioneers and forefathers, their lives and times, and how they achieved what we have today.
It is not only the people but also the buildings that make Hill Street so quaint and interesting. There is such a mix of architecture in this street – from the old to the new – that you will be constantly surprised.
This guide provides a list of resources where you can find information about the places along Hill Street. It serves as a starting point for anyone interested in finding more about the history and heritage of Hill Street.
View from Fort Canning with the Chamber in the centre (1966) Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
书籍
BOOKS
汪來昇,《我獅城，我街道》，新加坡：新文潮出版社私人有限公 司，2022年。
宋旺相 ，《新加坡华人百年史 》，新加坡: 新加坡中华总商会，1993年。
严孟达、崔东红、柯木林 ，《禧街47号 》，新加坡：新加坡中华总商会， 2015年。
周兆呈 ，《百年基 千秋业 》，新加坡：新加坡中华总商会，2006年。
柯木林 ，《新加坡华人通史 》，新加坡：新加坡宗乡会馆联合，2015年。
蔡佩蓉 ，《清季驻新加坡领事之探讨（1877-1911） 》，新加坡：新加坡 国立大学中文系, 2002年。
Goh, Chor Boon. Technology and Entrepôt Colonialism in Singapore, 1819-1940. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2013.
Jesus, Noelle Q. de. Find Your Place in History: Central Giants and Forgotten Gems. Singapore: Ethos Books, 2019.
Kwa, Chong Guan and Kua, Bak Lim. A General History of the Chinese in Singapore. Singapore: World Scientific, 2019.
Liu, Gretchen. From the Family Album: Portraits from the Lee Brothers Studio, Singapore 1910-1925. Singapore: National Heritage Board, 1995.
Liu, Gretchen. “Portraits from Lee Brothers Studio. ” Bibiloasia, April 2018, Vol 14 no 1.
Siow, Jin Hua. Ray Tyer's Singapore Then & Now. Singapore: Landmark Books Pte Ltd, 1993.
Sarkissian, Ararat. Armenian Heritage Gallery: Armenian Church Singapore. Singapore: Armenian Street Foundation, 2018.
Song, Ong Siang. One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in Singapore The Annotated Edition. Singapore: National Library Board, 2016.
Tan, Charlene Gia Lim. An Introduction to The Culture and History of The Teochews In Singapore. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd, 2018.
York, F. W. and Phillips, A. R. Singapore: A History of Its Trams, Trolleybuses & Buses Volume 1 1880s to 1960s. Surrey: DTS Publishing Limited, 1996.
报章 NEWSPAPERS
叻报
联合早报
南洋商報
Daily Advertiser
Malaya Tribune
Business Times
The Straits Times
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. "Hill Street, Singapore." New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 29, 2020. http:// digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c2634d03-24b2-f238-e040-e00a18061845
新加坡中华总商会华商文华基金衷心感谢以下机构的支持及图像使用权： SCCCI Chinese Entrepreneurial Culture Foundation would like to express our appreciation to the following organisations for their support in the production of this publication:
机构 Organisation
新加坡国家档案馆
National Archives of Singapore
新报业媒体有限公司
SPH Media Limited
同时感谢各界人士对本书的鼎力支持。 And to everyone who has supported this publication.
新加坡中华总商会华商文化基金第二届董事 （2022至2025年）
2nd SCCCI Chinese Entrepreneurial Culture Foundation Board (2022-2025)
主席 Chairman
高泉庆
Kho Choon Keng
委员 Members
黄山忠
Roland Ng San Tiong
吴学光
Wu Hsioh Kwang
吴绍均
Ng Siew Quan
白南泉
Adrian Peh Nam Chuan
陈康威
Anthony Tan Kang Uei
洪芳芳
Ang Fung Fung
禧街文化导览学习之旅
Hill Street Heritage Trail
出版顾问
Publication Advisors
林福有
Lim Hock Yu
梁廷昭
Leong Teng Chau
卜清锺
Pok Cheng Chong
主编
Chief Editor
助理主编
Assistant Chief Editor
助理编辑
Assistant Editor
陈丁辉博士
Dr Tan Teng Phee
蔡佩雯
Chua Pei Wen
林俐萱
Lim Li Xuan
出版
Publisher
国际书号
ISBN
出版日期
Date of publication
新加坡华商文化基金
SCCCI Chinese Entrepreneurial Culture Foundation
47 Hill Street, SCCCI Building Singapore 179365
978-981-18-3611-4
2025年 2025
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All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
© 新加坡中华总商会 2025年
© 2025 Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
禧街文化导览学习之旅是新加 坡中华总商会的文史项目成果 之一，内容展示新加坡中华总 商会、新加坡经济发展和华人 社会的历史和社会记忆。我们
希望唤起人们那些曾经在禧街 工作和生活的美好回忆，并为
访客提供实用资讯。
禧街是英国人在新加坡设立商站后最早命 名的主要道路之一。1906年，新加坡中华商 务总会（1917年更名为新加坡中华总商会， 以下称总商会）成立后，先租后买下位于禧 街的大夫第作为其办公会所。
自此，总商会与禧街的历史紧密交织， 百年来见证了这条街道的变迁与新加坡的发 展。从商业活动到文化交流，禧街始终是新 加坡多元社会的核心地带。这里汇聚了来自 不同族群和文化背景的商人，推动了新加坡 独特多元文化氛围的形成。
历史上，禧街曾是多个重要机构的所在 地。中国清朝驻新加坡领事馆、美国领事 馆、东方电话电气公司和李昆昌影相馆等都 曾设立于此。此外，街道上还保留了许多殖 民地时代的建筑，如中央消防局、旧禧街警 察局、亚美尼亚教堂和布尔哈尼回教堂等。
这些建筑不仅是新加坡历史的重要组成部 分，也见证了这座城市从殖民地到现代都市
的转型。禧街深深烙印在新加坡人民 的记忆中，成为本地文化认同和集体 记忆的重要载体。
为庆祝新加坡建国60周年，新加 坡中华总商会华商文化基金特别推出 了禧街文化导览学习之旅。这一国民 教育项目不仅连接了总商会与新加坡
的经济发展及华人社会记忆，还进一 步强化了新加坡多元文化的价值与新 加坡人身份的认同。
我们希望读者在了解禧街的历史 后，能够亲自漫步于这条街道，重
新发现其背后的文化之美。通过这段 旅程，读者将更深刻地体验到新加坡 作为一个多元文化社会的独特魅力， 并更加珍视这片承载记忆与情感的土 地。在这里，您将感受到新加坡独特 的历史韵味与文化底蕴，进一步领略 这座城市的深厚底蕴与无限魅力。
4
章节 1
8
章节 2
新加坡中华总商会
14
章节 3 禧街宅院
16
章节 4
禧街宅院
陈成宝的潮州大厝
18
章节 5
禧街宅院
黄亚佛的潮州大厝
20
章节 6
禧街指南
22
章节 7
章节 8
9
章节 10
城市建设 中央消防局
章节 11
城市建设
旧禧街警察局
章节 12 宗教信仰 亚美尼亚教堂
章节 13
宗教信仰 布尔哈尼回教堂
章节 14
知识泉源 新加坡女子学校
章节 15 心之向往的味道 禧街熟食中心
章节 16
捕捉瞬间
李昆昌影相馆
章节 19 结语 46
章节 17
零售百货 史丹福大厦
章节 18
乐在资讯科技 福南
1862年的新加坡市区图。
市区重建局珍藏，照片新加坡国家档案馆提供。
禧街是新加坡市中心的一条 主要道路，位于大坡的新桥路， 以及小坡的史丹福路和维多利亚 街的交界处之间。至今，禧街仍 然是条繁华的街道，保留着许多 重要的景点和地标。
禧街历史文化导览揭示这条 街道的丰富历史和变化，这里充 满不同历史风格的店屋和建筑， 以及现代高楼大厦；这里的社 区、宗教、政治和教育地标也构 成独特的文化景观。禧街历史文 化导览为新加坡最迷人的文化历 史区提供宝贵的指南。
沿着禧街而立的建筑凸显出， 不同种族和宗教早在19世纪初已 在此地和谐共处。更重要的是， 世界各地的商人不分种族和国 籍聚集在禧街，凸显了自开埠以 来，这个商贸区的显要地位。禧 街不仅是一条道路，更是商贾云 集的街道，因此也可以称为“商 业街 ” 。
我们希望这个历史文化导览， 能让您重新发现禧街的丰富内 涵，以及禧街两个世纪以来给新 加坡人留下的许多美好回忆。
禧街因位于殖民地官邸过去 的所在地、俗称“皇家山”的福 康宁山底下而得名 ，“禧”是山 （hill）的方言音译。禧街是由新 加坡首任城市规划师拟定的，这 是继谐街于1819年建成后，本地 最早铺设的街道之一。
禧街的建筑反映新加坡从殖民 地到独立后的发展历程。街道上 的旧貌新颜，因隐藏在背后的故 事陆续浮现而备受关注。经历一 个多世纪的转变后，禧街成为新 加坡深具历史和经济意义的街道 之一。
1800年福康宁山上看山下景色。
照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
您知 道吗？
您知道禧街的别名吗？福建人称它为“皇家山脚 ”，也有本地人称 它为“水仙门二马路”和“小坡二马路 ”，因为这里就在新加坡河一 带，俗称水仙门。小坡有七条平行的马路，第二条就是禧街。
大坡和小坡都是从前新加坡热闹的市区。住在“山顶 ”（乡村）的村 民“落坡 ”（来到市区）需要约两个小时车程。
新加坡中华总商会 的成立
禧街47号
起源
托马斯·史丹福·莱佛士爵士于1819年登陆
新加坡后，与威廉·法夸尔少将实施自由贸易政 策，为现代新加坡的发展打下基础。
一批又一批的中国移民在19世纪中期抵达新加 坡，并根据地缘、血缘与业缘组成宗乡会馆和社 团组织。
1900年的新加坡河。
林庆材珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
丙午年（1906年）首届董事会肖像，首排左七为吴寿珍总理 （会长），首排左六位为陈云秋副总理（副会长）。 新加坡中华总商会珍藏。
19世纪末，华商在推动岛国的贸易，从萌芽走向 成熟阶段发挥重要作用，巩固新加坡作为东西方贸易 枢纽的战略功能。
随着商业环境和社会需求日趋复杂，本地华商认为有必 要成立华人商会，以加强合作和解决华社日益增长的内部需 求。新加坡中华商务总会（于1917年更名为“新加坡中华总 商会”，以下简称“总商会”）于1906年正式成立。1906年
3月16日，总商会内部遴选出52位议员（董事），吴寿珍和 陈云秋分别获推选为首任正﹑副总理（正、副会长）。1977 年，为方便代表本会工业会员与各界交往，决定在英文名称 上加入“工业” 总商会成立初期设在同济医院，后来迁入黄 亚佛的禧街49号故居。
总商会成立初期借用同济医院，后来迁入黄亚佛（Wee Ah Hood） 位于禧街49号的故居。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏。
总商会的发展
总商会的历史与新加坡的 国家和经济发展有着密不可分 的关系。自成立以来，总商会 经历新加坡不同历史阶段，与 国家和人民风雨同舟。
总商会大厦的正面外观。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏 。
1960年代初，在会员的大力支 持和慷慨捐助下，总商会将原来的 会所重建成一座优雅的现代建筑。
1966年，新加坡建国总理李光 耀高度肯定总商会的历史价值： "新加坡中华总商会的历史反映着 新加坡的历史"。这句话包含总商 会早年走过的道路，彰显总商会与 时俱进的使命。
总商会大厦融合东西 方建筑的设计元素， 该大厦于1964年9月 20日举行开幕式。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏。
一个多世纪以来，总商会已 经发展成为本地华商的领导机 构。总商会将继续秉持华商精 神，配合政府政策推动我国工商 业发展和繁荣经济，同时也进一 步促进本地文化教育活动，为社 会稳定与和谐尽一份力。
新加坡四座潮州大宅中，其中两座坐落在禧街 — 黄亚佛和
陈成宝的大厝。早年许多潮州商人在禧街聚集和居住，印证它 是一个商贸中心。
潮州大厝
19世纪的四大厝是四位潮籍商人各自在新加坡建造的名宅。
佘有进
Seah Eu Chin）
宅邸
大府第）
陈成宝
Tan Seng
Poh
宅邸
朝议第）
您知 道吗？
国会大厦前的草 地是佘有进故居 的原址。
黄亚佛
Wee Ah Hood）
宅邸（大夫第）
潮州大厝
陈旭年
Tan Yeok
Nee）
宅邸 资政第）
陈旭年的宅邸是19世纪新加坡 潮州四大厝之一。
照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
佘有进肖像。
照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供 。
陈成宝 故居 禧街58号
新加坡首栋潮州大厝
陈成宝的故居“观察第”又名“朝议 第”，于1869年兴建，坐落在禧街与陆 佑街交界处，亚美尼亚教堂附近。它曾经 供中国清朝驻新加坡领事馆使用。
陈成宝（1830-1879年）是一位出生 于霹雳州怡保的潮州商人。他的父亲陈亚
汉祖籍潮安，崛起成为霹雳州富有的华人 甲必丹，他的大姐和二姐则嫁给与他有密 切生意往来的佘有进。
陈成宝于1871年受任为市政委员会委 员，1872年成为太平绅士和名誉推事。
陈成宝是第一位在市政委员会任职，并身 兼太平绅士的华人。他经常领导社区筹款 活动，包括为新加坡最古老的潮州庙宇之 一的粤海清庙建庙。
1879年陈成宝去世，大厝于1900年 11月被拍卖后拆除，并于1904年由一排 店屋取代。
章芳林肖像。
新加坡信息及艺术部珍藏，照片由 新加坡国家档案馆提供。
章节 4 - 禧街宅院 陈成宝的潮州大厝
成宝巷现在的街景。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏 。
遗产
如今，位于中峇鲁住宅区的成宝路 和成保巷都以陈成宝命名。
您知 道吗？
陈成宝故居是新加坡 潮州四大厝中最早兴 建的宅邸。
黄亚佛 故居
禧街49号（1920年代末改为禧街47号）
现在的总商会大厦坐落在黄亚佛故居 的原址上。
黄亚佛故居于1873年兴建，亦名“大 夫第”，位于陈成宝故居斜对面。1828 年，黄亚佛在沙球劳路出生，长大后在 直落亚逸街的布料行当助理。黄亚佛在 布业发迹后，成为当时最大的甘蜜与胡 椒商之一。
黄亚佛故居
黄亚佛故居是一座融合潮州和海峡华 人建筑风格的庭院式宅邸，华丽的传统 潮州式入口大门通向前院，建筑结构则 凸显“五脚基”骑楼店铺的风格。1875 年，黄亚佛在自家中去世。
黄亚佛去世后，他的长子黄金炎于 1900年至1905年间将屋子出租给不同 人。1906年，总商会租用此地，并于 1911年将它买下。1920年代末，门牌重 新规划成47号。
胡椒园 。
Gretchen Liu珍藏，照片由新加坡国 家档案馆提供。
您知 道吗？
马里士他的亚佛路 是以黄亚佛命名。
黄亚佛故居内部陈设。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏 。
1930年代总商会外。
李昆昌影相馆珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
1939年，一些总商会董事建议在原地重建， 但计划因第二次世界大战而搁置。战后，该建筑 的重建工作曾进行过数次商讨。1960年代，一座 崭新的十层楼大厦取代原来的老屋，并于1964年 对外开放。
禧街在20世纪初的街景。 照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
章节6 -
禧街是一条繁忙的大路，它的发展与该区 的基础建设息息相关。1869年苏伊士运河开通 后，东方的航运日益繁忙，新加坡作为东西方 贸易枢纽的地位愈显重要，因此更需要良好的 公共交通系统，为来往商业中心和码头的人流 提供便利。因此，禧街的公共交通发展，以及 这条商业街的诞生是相互交织，环环相扣的。
20世纪的禧街出现各种交通工具如人力 车、有轨电车和无轨电车。
禧街的人力车。
照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
您知 道吗？
1920年代，私人营运的七人小型巴士和其他小巴在 本地公路行驶，来往于郊区与市区之间。这些巴士被 称为“蚊巴”，或许是因为它们体积较小，以及在车 流中不停地纵横穿梭所给人的印象。
中国清朝驻 新加坡领事馆 1881年至1890年：禧街55号 1899年至1901年：禧街58号
新加坡的贸易不断增长，吸 引各国纷纷在新加坡设立领事 馆。中国清朝驻新加坡领事馆和
美国领事馆曾落户禧街，美国领 事馆后升格为美国大使馆。领事
馆是国家的代表，更注重其国家
的商贸利益，以保护其公民的权 益。中国清朝和美国在禧街设立 领事馆，进一步加强这条商业街
的显要地位。
中国清朝驻新加坡领事馆位于 禧街和陆佑街的交界处，原址为 陈成宝故居。
1876年，中国清朝政府与伦 敦的英国外交部，为在新加坡设 立领事馆以保护华人的可能性进 行商讨。海峡殖民地政府于1877 年5月设立华民护卫司署负责处理 华人事务，包括苦力贸易、私会 党、娼妓等问题。随后，清朝政 府在同年10月设立驻新加坡领事 馆，最初在胡亚基位于驳船码头 交界处的黄埔商店运作。
章节7 - 商贾云集 中国清朝驻新加坡领事馆
1877年，殖民地政府委任 威廉 · 亚历山大 · 毕麒麟 （1840-1907年）为第一 任华民护卫司，管理本地 的华人事务。
照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
禧街中国清朝驻新加坡领事馆
1881年，中国清朝驻新加坡领 事馆迁至禧街。清朝政府在新加 坡成立领事馆的目的是监督商业事 务，维护海外华商和平民的权利， 同时吸引海外华人的经济力量来振 兴国运。中国驻新加坡领事由清朝 政府任命，领事馆亦提供管理海商 事务、护照和华侨登记等服务。中 国清朝驻新加坡领事馆于1902年迁 出禧街。
1912年的驳船码头。
Choo Chee Leong珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
美国领事馆/ 大使馆 禧街30号
美国领事馆的成立
美国首先在实龙岗路设立领事馆， 之后于1961年搬迁到禧街30号，凸显 美国跟新加坡的贸易关系日益密切。
1966年，美国领事馆升格为美国大 使馆，弗朗西斯 · 约瑟夫 · 加尔布雷
思出任首位美国驻新加坡大使。
您知 道吗？
约瑟夫·马里士他这位甘 蔗园主和商人，是美国驻 新加坡的第一任领事。
马里士他路就是以他命 名的。
1961年，美国总领事马多克斯 欢迎时任新加坡元首尤索夫前 来禧街美国领事馆访问。
尤索夫·伊萨珍藏。照片由新加坡国家 档案馆提供。
美国领事馆。
海峡时报©版权属新 报业媒体有限公司 所有。
大楼改建
1961年，美国领事馆新大厦落成，大楼由本 地建筑师詹姆斯·费里负责设计。新建筑的长方 形格局简单实用，采用垂直的暗金色阳极氧化铝 条遮阳及装饰外墙。
新加坡独立后，美国领事馆升格为美国大使 馆，以巩固新加坡和美国的外交关系。大使馆的 资料室吸引许多想去美国深造的年轻人，有关美 国大学、托福考试（TOEFL）和研究生管理入学 考试（GMAT）的信息都可到此查阅。
1972年，大使馆举办为期五天的活动，展出 专门从事环境设备与系统的美国制造商和销售公 司的500份目录。这标志着商人不分种族和国籍， 齐聚在禧街这个商业地带。美国大使馆于1996年 迁入纳比雅路27号。
东方电话 电力公司
禧街15号
19世纪初的新加坡，狭窄街 道就像迷宫，平民区穿插其中。
由于平民区建在沼泽地，严重火 灾是常有的事，私会党活动也越 来越频繁。现代城市建设的过程 中，人们必须保持联系，通信线 路变得至关重要。东方电话电力
公司、中央消防局和禧街警察局 的历史沿革与发展，反映新加坡 从乡村迈向现代都会的进程。它
们标志着本地对现代基础设施的 需求越来越强劲，以支持禧街日 益增长的商业贸易。
东方电话电气公司的起源
1879年，东方拓展电报公司
的经理贝内特·佩尔将电话引进 新加坡。东方电话电气公司是一 家在伦敦注册的英国公司，它首 先买下佩尔的私人电话交换机， 随后于1907年将分行搬迁至 禧街。
1904年东方电话电力公司最早 的平面图之一。
照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
章节9 - 城市建设 东方电话电力公司
1961年，时任新加坡元首尤索夫参观交换机室。
尤索夫·伊萨珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
坐落在禧街的东方电话电气公司是新加坡 唯一采用印度撒拉逊风格，而不是当时流行的 欧洲古典主义风格的主要建筑。该建筑设计出 自英国建筑师阿尔弗雷德·约翰·比德威尔之 手，当时他任职于双迈建筑设计公司。
现今的通讯线路
1955年，东方电话电气公司由英国殖民地政 府接管，改组为新加坡电话局，负责在岛上提 供电话通信服务。
1974年，新加坡电话局与新加坡电信局合 并，成立电信公司。1979年，东方电话电气公 司大楼让位给一座崭新的14层电话大厦。电话 和电报系统为商人创造紧密联系的商业网络， 使地理因素变得不再那么重要，部分业务发展 模式也能跨越空间局限。
您知 道吗？
有报道指新加坡是亚 洲第一个拥有电话系 统的城市。
比德威尔最著名的建 筑设计作品包括莱佛 士酒店、维多利亚剧 院与音乐厅，以及吉 隆坡的苏丹阿都沙末 大厦。
中央 消防局 禧街62号
中央消防局是新加坡现存最古老的消防局，于1998年列为国家 古迹。中央消防局至今仍在运作，主要为中央商业区提供服务。
早期的新加坡并没有正规消防队，当时的消防队由志愿者、 囚犯、警察和士兵组成。来自英国的专业消防员蒙塔古·威廉·
佩特监察长倡议兴建中央消防局，引进现代科技取代过时的配 备。中央消防局于1908年竣工，成为当时新加坡最高的建筑，站 在最高处可以欣赏禧街和美芝路周遭的风景。
1930年代的中央消防局外观。
李昆昌影相馆珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
中央消防局外观。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏 。
二战期间，英国官员曾将该 建筑醒目的红白相间外墙漆成 绿色，让建筑靠伪装躲避日本战 机的袭击。虽然中央消防局仍遭 到日军多次轰炸，但依旧正常运 作，空袭引起的小火患都由消防 员扑灭。
二战结束后，中央消防局的消 防员继续坚守岗位，应对国家紧
急事件和进行救援行动，其中包 括1961年的河水山大火和1986年 的新世界酒店倒塌事件。
您知道在1915年以前，火灾警报器 还未安装时，高出地面110英尺的瞭 望塔的作用是为了及早发现新加坡中 央地区的火灾吗？
旧禧街 警察局
禧街140号
海峡殖民地公共工程局总建筑师弗兰克·多灵顿· 沃德设计的禧街警察局于1934年正式投入运作。
Mrs J A Bennett珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
老地标，新生命
位于里峇峇利路和禧街交界
处的建筑，窗户都漆成亮丽的彩 虹，色彩缤纷的老地标背后有什 么故事呢？它是旧禧街警察局，
现在是新加坡通讯及新闻部，以 及新加坡文化、社区及青年部
（原新加坡信息及艺术部）两个 政府部门的办事处。
禧街警察局是专门为众多警 务人员提供住宿而建造的，它 的落成反映当时的新加坡警察 部队迈入现代化、社会发展和 医疗卫生服务的需求。
禧街警察局曾两度供宪兵使 用。日据时期，日本宪兵占用
现在的禧街警察局。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏。
这座建筑，作为扣押和审问嫌 犯的场所。1967年新加坡实行 国民服役制度，各武装部队相 关单位相应扩充。1970年，新 加坡武装部队宪兵指挥部从美 芝路迁入禧街警察局，隔年再 搬迁至乌鲁班丹。
现今的旧禧街警察局
二战后这座建筑还发挥什么 用途？直到1980年，它仍是警 队的驻地。从1983年起，它成 为多个政府机构的办公处。随 后，该建筑改名为禧街大厦，并 于1998年列为国家古迹，经翻 修后于1999年成为当时信息及 艺术部的新家。建筑窗户就是那 时候换上标志性的七彩色调。
亚美尼亚 教堂
禧街60号
从19世纪中期开始，随着新加坡人口增加，各社群成立宗教组织， 以满足各自的宗教信仰需求。禧街作为商业街，也容纳不同宗教信仰， 其中包括亚美尼亚教堂和布尔哈尼回教堂。
缘起
19世纪20年代初，首批亚美尼亚商人抵达新加坡。1824年，新加坡 有16名亚美尼亚人。到了1833年，人数增加到35人。早在1827年，本 地的亚美尼亚社群已开始筹集资金建造教堂。亚美尼亚教堂于1835年 由爱尔兰建筑师乔治·德罗戈德·科尔曼负责建造，大部分资金来自亚 美尼亚社群。这座教堂证明19世纪亚美尼亚社群在新加坡的影响力。
遗产
亚美尼亚教堂的纪念花园矗立着本地 亚美尼亚社群贤达的墓碑，但并非实际墓 地。其中有混杂培育出新加坡国花“卓锦 万代兰”的爱尼丝·卓锦，以及本地英文 报章《海峡时报》创始人之一卡奇克·摩 西。
亚美尼亚教堂于1973年6月28日列为 国家历史古迹。1994年，建筑公司郭建 筑事务所领导修复教堂的项目，得到市区 重建局的表扬，在隔年获颁首届旧建筑修 复工程奖。
莱佛士酒店由亚美 尼亚人萨尔基奇兄弟 （Sarkies Brothers）
创建，于1887年开始 营业，当时酒店仍在 扩充中。
亚美尼亚教堂是新加坡 最古老的教堂。
章节12 - 宗教信仰
1962年的亚美尼亚教堂。
照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
现在的亚美尼亚教堂。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏。
布尔哈尼 回教堂 禧街39号
现在的布尔哈尼回教堂。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏。
背景资料
隐藏在豪华的首都大厦后面的布尔哈尼回教堂，是本地 印度回教社群“达乌迪博拉”的聚集处。19世纪中期，本 地有约400名达乌迪博拉人，他们擅长经商，来自印度西 北部古吉拉特邦，属于什叶派。新加坡的回教徒多数属于 逊尼派，什叶派人数不多。“博拉”词源来自古吉拉特语 的“vohorvu”或“vyavahar”，意思是“贸易”。
布尔哈尼回教堂外观。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏。
布尔哈尼回教堂的起源
布尔哈尼回教堂原是一所单层回教堂，
由商人埃萨博伊在1870年建造。1959年， 回教堂完成耗资17万元的翻新，孟买达乌 迪博拉人的精神领袖阿卜杜卡德尔受邀为新
的四层建筑主持启用仪式。后来回教堂再度 翻新，由达乌迪博拉社群承担所有的扩建费 用，于2000年以十层高的新建筑重新开放。
访客可欣赏回教堂的华丽大殿、镀金的阿拉 伯铭文和精致的吊灯装饰。
布尔哈尼回教堂平时的入口不在禧街， 而是后面的圣格烈哥利坊。禧街的正面入口 处仅供仪式场合使用。
您知 道吗？
达乌迪博拉人对进入 回教堂的着装有严格 规定，男性必须穿上 全白长袍，并戴上用 金线点缀的白帽，女 性则穿上称为“丽 塔”的连衣裙和罩 袍，不遮盖脸部。
新加坡 女子学校
52号禧街
总商会第一届董事
林 文 庆 医生 （1869-195 7年 ）肖像。
昆昌影相馆珍藏， 照片由新加坡国家档 案馆提供。
殖民地时代，本地女性多数没有机会求学。迈入20世纪之 际，一些华商认为有必要建立一所华人女子学校，以实现男女 平等。
勇敢启航
在华人先贤宋旺相爵士和林文庆医生富有远见的领导下， 新加坡女子学校于1899年7月1日成立。与当时的其他女校不 同，它不是由传教士创办的。
学校成立第一年只有七名学生。玛丽·捷俐出任新加坡女 子学校的第一任校长，林文庆的原配黄端琼也是教职人员之 一。在那个本地女性教育被忽视的年代，该校为学生提供中英 文教育。
20世纪初，新加坡女子学校师生大合照。
新加坡女子学校珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
迁校
1925年，新加坡女子学校搬到翡翠 山的两层楼建筑。在二战结束后，学校 开始招收各族学生。
1994年7月4日，新加坡女子学校迁 往杜尼安路。至今，新加坡女子学校仍 继续提供丰富、均衡和全面的教育，使 每名学生获得最充分的发展。新加坡女 子学校的创立，证明华社领导人为华人 女子提供正规教育的远见。
您知 道吗？
1899年成立的新加坡 女子学校是本地海峡 华人所设立的第一所 华人女校。
禧街 熟食中心
禧街64号
自19世纪80年代以来，街 边小贩曾是新加坡熟悉不过 的风景线。在二战结束后，政 府加强关注路边摊的管理和卫
生。最终，政府将街边小贩集 中在固定的熟食中心和有盖巴 刹，改变小贩的运作模式。
起源
中央消防局旁边那片草地
曾经作何用途？它就是在1984 年开业的禧街熟食中心的原 址。这座四层楼高的熟食中 心有140个摊位，其中52个摊 位保留给同济医院前的街边小 贩，56个摊位保留给首都购物 中心的小贩。
1984年的禧街熟食中心。
新加坡信息及艺术部珍藏，照片由新加坡 国家档案馆提供。
章节15 - 心之向往的味道 禧街熟食中心
禧街熟食中心外观。
新加坡信息及艺术部珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
走向式微
1989年，禧街熟食中心 的生意欠佳，导致四楼一 些摊位搬到三楼。论用餐环 境，禧街熟食中心也不如对 面于1985年开业的福南中 心。福南中心的熟食中心 是新加坡第一家有冷气的食 阁，与禧街熟食中心相比， 前者显然舒适多了。
禧街熟食中心本应于 1997年关闭重新发展，但 因故推迟。不过，禧街熟食 中心最终还是难逃关闭的命 运，在2000年结业，让路 给禧街的新发展。
李昆昌 影相馆
禧街58-4号
李昆昌影相馆位于禧街58-4 号（禧街与陆佑街交界处）， 是来自广东的摄影世家、李氏 大家族经营的众多照相馆之 一。李昆昌影像馆由李镜仁和 李普仁两兄弟于1910年创办。
李昆昌影相馆最闻名的是其 室内人像摄影技巧，自然而巧 妙地捕捉人物特征。二战前， 李昆昌影相馆是新加坡著名的 家族照相馆之一。
三层楼的照相馆
作为家族照相馆，这栋三层 楼的店面同时也是两兄弟与家 人居住的地方。他们将个人活 动限制在二楼办公室后面，三 楼则是让顾客拍照的照相房和 暗房。照相房的配备包括从上 海和欧洲进口的绘画背景布， 以及各种道具。
1920年代的李普 仁（1884-1960年 ）肖像。
李昆昌影相馆珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
章节16 - 捕捉瞬间
1920年代的禧街李昆昌影相馆。
李昆昌影相馆珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
结束营业
1920年代初，
李镜仁在史丹福路 开设另一家大东影 相馆，禧街李昆昌 影相馆交给李普仁 负责。随着二战蔓 延至新加坡，李普 仁决定永久结业。
遗产
1994年，李普仁的 长子李显明将影相馆保 留的多张相片捐献给国
家档案馆，确保这些记 录20世纪初本地风土民 情的难得影像得以流传 下来。
1920年代的禧街李昆昌影相馆内部陈设。
李昆昌影相馆珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
您知 道吗？
新加坡国家档案馆内的李昆昌影相馆珍藏，共有2,775张室内人物照和760 张玻璃相底，这些丰富影像史料记载着新加坡在20世纪初的多元面貌。
史丹福 大厦
史丹福路15号
起源
史丹福大厦是一座标志性的 三层建筑，位于史丹福路和禧 街的交界处，其主要入口面向 史丹福路。这座威尼斯文艺复 兴风格的典雅建筑于1904年竣 工，由双迈建筑设计公司的建 筑师比德威尔设计。它的原名 为奥林奇大厦，业主为亚美尼 亚人赛斯·保罗。经历一个多 世纪后，该建筑与相邻的首都 大厦整体重新发展，于2018年 10月以首都凯宾斯基酒店的新 身份开业。
20世纪初的史丹福 大厦。
纽约公共图书馆提供。
惠罗百货公司早年从莱佛 士坊搬到这座建筑营业至1910 年，因此在最初几年，民众一 般称该建筑为惠罗公司大厦。
惠罗公司占据第一和第二层， 服务对象为欧洲人和本地富 人，建筑三楼则用作住宅。莱 佛士酒店曾因客房供不应求， 租下二楼和三楼作为酒店的附 楼，直到1913年。1920年原建 筑经过大翻修，改建成奥林奇 旅店。
现在的首都凯宾斯基酒店。 新加坡中华总商会珍藏。
1980年代至1990年代的史 丹福大厦外观。
G P Reichelt珍藏，照片由新加坡 国家档案馆提供。
史丹福大厦
贝思可企业私人有限公司于1963年买下 整栋大楼，并于1969年将其更名为史丹福大 厦。市区重建局于1984年征用史丹福大厦， 并在1991年展开翻新工程，还原建筑的独特 设计。所有楼层都改造成零售店，并添加中央 空调、自动扶梯和电梯等设施。2007年，史 丹福大厦列为国家古迹。
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双迈建筑设计公司 在新加坡设计过许 多各类建筑，包括 日本占领时期死难 人民纪念碑。
福南
桥北路107号
早期历史
1985年开业的福南中心是市区重建 局在1980年代最早的几个项目之一，位 于哥里门街、振南街、丰兴阁和福南街 的旧址，而福南街曾是新加坡最受欢迎 的街边美食天堂之一。
转型
如今，福南这座商场汇集了190多个 品牌，并已成为禧街的商业、社交和文 化活动中心。福南也仍旧是购买科技用 品的好去处，三楼专门保留给资讯科技 零售商。
多年来，福南中心多次更名。
哥里门街的俗名为 酒店街，因为这条 街道上酒店林立。
另外，振南街以牙 医张振南命名；丰 兴阁因陈金声的丰 兴商号得名；福南 街则源自刘金榜的 福南银号。
1989年的福南中心外观。
新加坡信息及艺术部珍藏，照片 由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
1976年的福南街。
新加坡信息及艺术部珍藏， 照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。
现在的福南。
新加坡中华总商会珍藏。
随着我们步入新千禧年，是时候回顾过去与 现在的空间。禧街上的每个地标都承载着新加坡 的历史记忆，这些地点的选择不仅基于其历史意 义，也展现了禧街在不同时期的重要性。商人们 曾聚集于此，使禧街成为当时的商业中心，同时 也见证了城市的发展与变迁。随着时代演进，商 业模式不断调整，反映出社会的变化。
禧街融合了多元文化、族群与宗教，体现了 新加坡的多元与包容。这里的每个地标都见证了 我们的共同记忆、文化根基和辉煌成就。街道的 历史风貌与祖先留下的建筑景观，是连接过去与 现在的重要纽带，让我们更深入理解自身的历史 与文化。通过这些故事，我们可以更好地认识我 们的先驱与祖辈，了解他们的生活时代，以及他 们如何奠定了今日新加坡的繁荣。
禧街不仅因人而生动，更因其独特的建筑风 貌而充满魅力。在这条街道上，传统与现代建筑 风格交错融合，为人们带来视觉上的惊喜与历史 的沉淀。
本文化导览图册旨在帮助公众更好地欣赏禧 街的文化遗产，提供丰富的资讯，带领大家探索 禧街的街道与地标，让更多人了解这条充满故事 的历史街区。
1966年富康宁山的景观，中间为总商会。
新加坡信息及艺术部珍藏，照片由新加坡国家档案馆提供。