National Day 2012 – Areas of Historical Significance in Singapore

National Day 2012 – Areas of Historical Significance in Singapore

As a young nation, Singapore has undergone many rapid developments which have resulted in changes to our country’s landscape.  In spite of these changes, there are historically significant areas in Singapore which offer an interesting mix of the past and the present, the old and the new.  This is the second series of stamps that highlight areas of historical significance in Singapore and trace their development as Singapore grows into a modern city state.

Balestier

Linking Thomson Road and Serangoon Road, Balestier Road is named after Joseph Balestier, the first American Consul to Singapore from 1837 to 1852.  Due to its proximity to the city centre, Balestier was the ideal residential area for the rich in the 1880s and many developers built two-storey shop houses in the area during the 1920s.  Today, Balestier is well-known for its wide variety of local delicacies such as tau sar piah (a Chinese pastry) and chicken rice.  It has also earned itself the nickname “Street of Lights” as a result of the many lighting shops which line both sides of the road.

Tiong Bahru

Bordered by Sit Wah Road and Outram Road, Tiong Bahru derives its name from the Hokkien word tiong (meaning tombs) and the Malay word bahru (meaning new) as it contained a “newer” cemetery in relation to an existing cemetery for the Cantonese and Hakka communities at Tanjong Pager.  Once regarded as an aging estate with a graying population, Tiong Bahru underwent a revival in the early 1990s with new redevelopment works including the building of a shopping mall and a Mass Rapid Transit station, and the upgrading of Tiong Bahru Market. 

Today, Tiong Bahru has earned itself a reputation for its unique Art Deco architecture and Straits Settlement style shophouses, famous local food fare, as well as new art galleries, restaurants and stylish cafes.

Through this series of stamps, which will be released on 2 August 2012, we hope that Singaporeans will learn more about Singapore’s heritage and be encouraged to explore the areas of Balester and Tiong Bahru in order to experience for themselves the unique history and charms of the two estates.