DO YOU KNOW?? Streets in Chinatown (Part 3)

Some historial information about Temple Street..



In the Past




Temple Street was originally called Almeida Street after Joaquim d'Almeida who owned land at the junction of Temple and Trengganu Streets. In 1908, Almeida Street was renamed Temple Street.


Temple Street got its name from the Sri Mariamman Temple located at the junction of Temple Street and South Bridge Road. It is also probable that the street was named Temple Street due to the presence of many temples in the vicinity of the road around the area and not necessarily after Sri Mariamman Temple.


Sri Mariamman Temple, built in 1827, is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore.In the 19th century, the area around Temple Street was home to the Chinese although there were also Malay and Indians homes, thus explaining the presence of Muslim and Hindu places of worship in the vicinity. Indians and Malays lived in large numbers on the nearby Cross Street and Chulia Street.


Temple Street was popular for Cantonese Operas until 1927 notwithstanding the fact that it was supposed to be a Teochew enclave. The area bound by Temple Street and Smith Street was also popular for tinsmith shops. Temple Street also had a lucky streak as it was unharmed by bombs during the World War II.

In the Present Days

Currently, Temple Street is lined with quaint 2-storey baroque style shophouses, some of which have been rebuilt or renovated as part of the Chinatown conservation plans. In 1997, a part of Temple Street was converted into a pedestrian mall.







(Information taken from http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg)