Farewell MyQueenstown

Farewell MyQueenstown #7 - Farewell KTM Tracks

On 30 Jun 2011 | 6 Comments

Much has been written about KTM Tracks lately. A simple search on Google and Yahoo will bring you to numerous websites such as this and this. After all, this cantankerous relic was Singapore's brave new world in the early 20th century.  I have always been a believer of my secondary school's motto, "Rooted in Tradition, Equipped for the Future."

永别了!女皇镇!#7 一摊油条传三代

On 30 Apr 2011 | 1 Comments

一摊油条传三代 在玛格列熟食中心,“生活公市”说得上是个客至如云的摊子。这个小摊子,不售卖任何煮炒;摊子主人则一年三百六十五天,天天在摊内起个炉炸上一条条的油条。 “生活公市”摊主李马才先生(58岁)是这家油条摊的第三代。 祖父自中国南来便炸油条为业,后来其父亦继承了祖父的业务。“生活公市”自1969年起,正式迁入玛格列熟食中心营业。李先生从小便跟随父亲学手艺,在油锅边打转。 李先生的油条,以香脆爽口闻名。在80年代初,李先生每一日几乎可炸近200条油条。李家一家五人总要齐齐上阵来应付顾客的需要。 如今,虽然李先生的摊子已搬迁到亚历山大村熟食中心,但他对玛格列熟食中心仍然十分怀念。再见了,玛格列熟食中心!

Farewell MyQueenstown #6 - The Taste of Wanton Noodle Lingers...

On 24 Mar 2011 | 19 Comments

Mr. Phoon Hon Sun, 64, and his family started selling barbeque pork from a pushcart at the terminal for Hock Lee bus service no.9 some 53 years ago. The bus terminal was located next to Blocks 6B and 7 along Margaret Close, a cluster of flats which were demolished during the 1990s. A familiar sight no more Every afternoon, residents who lived in the seven

Home Sweet Home @ MyQueenstown

Home Sweet Home #15 - A New Day Has Come =)

On 24 Apr 2011 | 11 Comments

Last week, MyQueenstown team interviewed Mdm Chan about her life in Blk 15 Holland Drive. Under SERS, she was assigned a new apartment in the newly developed blocks just a stone throw sway. Today, we visit Hisham Suni, 38, who moved over from Blk 17 to his new apartment in Blk 18C Holland Drive. Hisham Suni and his son =) Hisham is delighted by his new ap

Home Sweet Home #14 - Farewell Holland Drive

On 17 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

Blk 15, Holland Drive looked vacant and cold when MyQueenstown team visited this morning. The shop houses under the apartment block were all covered with card boards and all that was left were traces of glass panels, which could possibly be a beauty parlor in its place before. The lift was still working. Mdm Chan - a long time resident at Holland Drive A c

Home Sweet Home #13 - Commonwealth 10! Here I Come!

On 10 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

The front door was wide open when MyQueenstown team visited Mr Lee, 78, at his apartment in Blk 74 Commonwealth Drive. Feeling curious, we knocked onto the door and was greeted by a sleepy looking Mr Lee. Mr Lee who lives alone at Block 74 Retired more than a decade ago, Mr Lee is living alone as he prefers being independent to tagging along with his chi

News@MyQueenstown

Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

On 26 Aug 2011 | 25 Comments

A week ago, Mr. Eric Tan, Director of the National Archives of Singapore, explained that the archives have generously acceded to our requests for photographs to be published in our website, upcoming book and newsletter. This was not the full story. Last year, we wrote in to the National Archives of Singapore, requesting them to sponsor photographs of the ol

MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

On 10 Jul 2011 | 1 Comments

Tanglin Halt residents are wokened up by the vociferous wailing of nadaswaram and thavil ensemble at Sri Muneeswaran Temple this morning. More than 15,000 residents and devotees have gathered at the Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple worshiping the Muneeswaran god to witness the consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a festive occasion done on

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

On 08 Jul 2011 | 6 Comments

女皇弄组屋 同一垃圾糟 两年3纵火  女皇弄组屋走廊垃圾糟,三度起火,居民人心惶惶,警列恶作剧纵火处理。 位于女皇镇一带的女皇弄第21座组屋8楼的电梯口,今早7时15分左右发生大火。 一名住在事发地点附近的居民,惊见滚滚黑烟从该处冒出 最高74万5000元 最低40多万 女皇镇 四房转售价 相差近37万  在热门组屋区女皇镇里,有四房式组屋最近以74万5000元的最高价转售,但也有37万8000元。 组屋溢价回升之际,热门地点如女皇镇的组屋转售价也持续攀升。今年4月,一间位于女皇镇史达拉摩道(Strathmore Ave)的四房式高楼单位,以74万5000元售出。 最后一次乘搭火车北上  火车开动了!该各就各位了吧。经过女皇镇、武吉知马、武吉班让时看到铁路旁站着许

My Father and I

Former Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate

On 14 May 2011 | 2 Comments

The industrialisation programme took off in Queenstown when the Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate was established to generate employment in the neighbourhood. Initially, the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) planned a small industrial estate at Tanglin Halt to provide employment for the new residents. Measuring some 20 acres of land consisting of 38 factories

Queenstown Baptist Church

On 03 May 2011 | 1 Comments

The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) set aside seven sites for religious use and advertised for religious organisations to ballot in the 1950s. Of the ten enquiries received, four withdrew, leaving six Christian organisations. These went on to build the first churches of Queenstown; Queenstown Baptist Church, Queenstown Lutheran Church, Faith Methodist Ch

Archipelago Brewery Company (Anchorpoint)

On 22 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

Established in 1931 by German businessmen, Archipelago Brewery Company was the first commercial brewery in Singapore. It was located next to the Malayan Railway, which provided convenient transportation for exporting the beer in Tanjong Pagar. Archipelago Brewery Company One of the more popular beer produced at Archipelago Brewery Company was Anchor Beer.

Makan Shiok!

Snacks Attack #13 - Ah Luck Bean Curd

On 23 Dec 2010 | 2 Comments

Mr Chua, 25, runs Ah Luck Beancurd in Tanglin Halt market for more than 2 years. He is renting the stall from the original owner who has based his stall in the same area for more than 40 years. Ah Luck Bean Curd offers drinks and deserts such as soya bean drink, grass jelly and the residents' favorite soya bean curd (60 cents). A Delicious Bowl of Bean Curd

Snacks Attack #12 - Satay Mad in Tanglin Halt!

On 16 Dec 2010 | 7 Comments

 Ann, 46 runs the family food stall for over 10 years in Tanglin Halt hawker centre. Serving halal food for over a decade in the same place, Ann has integrated her dishes to suit the taste buds of Queenstown residents, especially the Malay community. The simple food stall offers snacks such as satay, otah and seafood dishes. As a family styled bus

Snacks Attack #11 - Almond & Peanut Paste!

On 09 Dec 2010 | 0 Comments

DessertStory, located in Anchorpoint basement one, has been serving residents tasty snacks and deserts for the past four years. Wendy, the supervisor of the cafe, introduced the various homemade desserts that they offer. A bowl of Almond Paste Hot desserts are mainly the favourite choice among Queenstown residents. Firstly, they have almond paste which is m

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #9 - 7 Funerals in 2 weeks

On 22 May 2011 | 0 Comments

7 funerals in 2 weeks. There is a flurry of "activity" these two weeks for correspondents from My Queenstown. We did not leave our traces in photographs as a mark of respect for the deceased. We did leave our sincere prayers and heartfelt condolences for those present. Quietly and fleetingly, we made our way to some of the funerals and understood that all o

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #8 - Block 39A No More (The Removal of Block 39A Part I)

On 05 Apr 2011 | 8 Comments

On a Friday afternoon three weeks ago, several Bangladeshi workers, presumably from the Town Council, took their tool boxes to the lift lobby of Block 39A. In less than half an hour, they carried a metallic frame on their shoulders and placed it on a lorry parked in front of the apartment block. Farewell Block 39A The letterboxes The stretch of corrid

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #7 - A New Coat of Paint

On 22 Mar 2011 | 1 Comments

The Point Blocks, along with 5 other blocks at Mei Ling Street were given a new coat of paint over the past week. The familiar combination of blue, yellow and orange was a thing of the past as these foreign workers toiled day and night, rain or shine to make Mei Ling Street "attractive again." White seems to be the "in" thing in Queenstown lately. Ten-store

Other Recent Articles

Farewell Queenstown Remand Prison

By my queenstown on Sunday, June 20, 2010 with 12 comments

When Calvin Klein unveiled its Spring-Summer Collection for 2010 at Queenstown Remand Prison and invited Asian super stars like Ethan Ruan, there were faint hopes among the Queenstown residents that the authorities were finally abandoning their bulldozer approach in removing any structures or buildings that represented Singapore's heritage for economic "pragmatism." However, these hopes were plain castles in the air. There seems to be little or negligible sympathy on Queenstown residents who had to nurse their pain witnessing their "fields of care" disappearing at an amazing rate.


The iconic watch tower

Queenstown Remand Prison

Remand prisoners were held at Outram Prison located at the peak of Pearl's Hill in Telok Ayer between 1847 and 1945. After World War II, Outram Prison faced overcrowding problems with over 500 inmates. Living in unhygienic and unsanitary cells, a new prison was needed to house the prisoners. Therefore, Queenstown Remand Prison started groundbreaking in 1963 and opened officially on 23 September 1966 by Othman Wok, a year after Singapore's independence. The former remand prison was later demolished to make way for developments in the city.

According to an ex-inmate, each cell measured 6 feet by 12 feet long. There was basic amenities such as sanitary, bed and table in the cell and each room to cater to the needs of the inmates. Each morning, the prisoner would be allowed some free time out of his cell for a shower, a call or interaction sessions with other inmates. Meals were taken in a giant canteen.





Cell at Block E

Queenstown Remand Prison was famous for two things. Firstly, tele-visiting, an electronic means of communication, allows inmates to be visited 'remotely' at a conveniently located Prisons Link Centre and eliminates the need for visitors to go to relatively distant Institutions for visits and having to go through elaborate security procedures. Secondly, screams and ghosts were believed to be haunting the prison which housed famous inmates such as American teenager Michael Fay and author of Singapore, My Home Too, Chee Soon Juan. Many ghost busters have mentioned in forums that spirits and ghosts were spotted at night.

This iconic prison is currently being demolished and all it leaves behind is a green pasture that will be developed into residential and commercial sites. Farewell, Queenstown Remand Prison..

Half the structured has been removed

Lessons and prayer sessions used to be conducted in the hut

Where visitors register and be screened before entering

Jalan Penjara which leads to the prison

Block D

Block E

Playgrounds

A cell in Block E

Staircases in Block E

Go, Going, Gone....

It will be completely removed by August 2010

POST COMMENT

12 comments:

Anonymous said...
June 20, 2010 at 3:21 PM

26 years with group of childhood friends and the last few to move out. This will be memories kept deep in our hearts. Nothing beats staying in a quarters.

Anonymous said...
June 21, 2010 at 9:37 AM

There was a Judo Club. We went there when we were students of Queenstown Secondary Technical School in 1976. First day orientation, one very important thing that must be adhered: "Do not climb on any strutures. You will be shot before being questioned!" This is one hell of a warning to students.

Anonymous said...
June 26, 2010 at 7:22 PM

Having stayed near the prison since I was born, it is definitely heart-wrenching to come to accept the fact that it has now been demolished or close to a flat piece of land. I still remember the days when I would take a quick glance at the prison while strolling along Margaret Drive to the library or supermart. The prison will forever has a place in all our hearts, especially for the residents of Queenstown where the prison has been there with us throughout our years in Queenstown.

Ng Hou Seng said...
July 22, 2010 at 9:03 PM

Hi fellow residents of Queenstown,
If the old don't go, the new would not come-I just need your consensus to move forward towards a brighter tomorrow.Look at the development guide plan for the area. I'm sure you'll be full of envy & admiration. First let's say a big thank you to all those who had contributed in one way or another. Let's rejoice in the forthcoming 45th Birthday celebrations at Global Indian International School.
Thinking of the sweet past memories!
Ng Hou Seng.
22nd July 2010.

Anonymous said...
November 22, 2013 at 5:56 PM

just no

Unknown said...
March 4, 2014 at 3:04 AM

In 1985, I was put to jail for traffic offences. I was 23 years old at that time. I was sentenced to one month jail for failing to pay the fine of $1000 by the court. When I arrived at Queenstown Remand Prison, it was like hell! I saw many inmates mostly had their body tattooed. Those days people who have tattoos are mainly gangster or drug addicts. I was with 3 other inmates sharing a cell. I can't believe that I have to eat, sleep and shit inside the cell. For 3 days, I just can't get use to the toilet bowl which they use the water for wash face and drinking. My one month experience I had is enough! I heard that Queenstown Remand Prison is a short sentence prison or temporary for those who are waiting to be sentence to longer jail term, then later will be transfer to Changi Prison. After my release, I vow that I will never go to the place like hell again! Now the prison had been demolished, and where is the new place for remand prison? *******Actually I never been to Queenstown area. When I was released, I tour around Queenstown shopping center for 3 hours. I had my meal at Margaret hawker center before I went home.












Unknown said...
June 8, 2019 at 6:25 PM

Now already dimolis what building they

Savant said...
February 27, 2021 at 7:12 PM

I was a student in that class.

Unknown said...
September 8, 2021 at 5:51 PM

Remanders club. Missing my childhood

Anonymous said...
January 9, 2022 at 10:44 PM

thank you so much for posting this. This place was my childhood... I still remember almost every night the kids will play police and thief together

Anonymous said...
February 2, 2022 at 4:24 PM

Queens town remand prison used to be my home in 1997.. every time I drive by.. it send me full of memories.. repent to crime you did.. seeking hope in order to change.. so that you could rejoin society.. HOPE is very important. Without it you can never change.

Anonymous said...
July 11, 2023 at 11:14 PM

It's sad that it's gone. This place made my childhood complete. So nostalgic. Doing prison time in there falling in love after release and so on... I guess life has to go on..

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