Hope many of you have seen this old photograph before? I suspect not too many. I hadn't until Nick Chin (Form 5, 1977) kindly sent me a copy recently. Were it not for the telltale tower (and the caption, of course), I would never have guessed where this was.
This is the original Fire Station in Kuching. It was demolished in the 50s. In its place now is the Open Air Market - the part opposite Electra House.
Here's another picture of roughly the same place but in the 60s ...
I never quite understood why the fire watch tower has been retained till this day, even though the rest of the building has been gone for many decades. But in a way I'm glad they did preserve it. It gives the place a bit of character, and allows us seniors to show off and tell the youngsters some stories from the past. LOL
ADDED LATER: A Broader Perspective
Our buddy Norbert found this more "extended view" of the old fire station, which may give us a better idea of what stood on the right hand side of the station. This was obviously way before Electra House was built. Could it be the office of the electricity company, after which Electra House was named? And if I'm not mistaken, the road there was Power Street, wasn't it?
Fascinating, isn't it ...
great photo! had absolutely no idea that was how the Fire Station look like.
ReplyDeleteHi...James
ReplyDeleteNever knew about the old building, how facinating. Well done, Nick. I totally agree with the preservation and we are still a very much town/city as far as Kuching is concerned.
Btw, I think the local council still make use of the tower in terms of storage at the basement and using the water with hoses to clean the "Open Air" market. I recalled that the council workers carried out their daily cleaning (using the fire hoses) in the morning whilst people were still having their breakfast at their table in the market.
Can anyone confirm why it was called the "Open Air" market. Correct me if I am wrong here, I am sure there was no roof then and individual "stall" would erect their own tapauline to shield their customers from the weather (rain or sun).
I can also recall that it only cost me 10 cent for a bowl of quay chap (came with only 1 choice of meat) - I think I was around 6 years old then. Loved the food there - the rojak, ang tow chen loot, gu bak mee, sio bee, char sui pow, Ah Lek's curry rice, tau hu chui (soya milk), red kolo mee, tomato crispy noodles and fried kuey tiaw or fried sweet mee and those friut stalls, etc. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Kong Hee Fatt Choy to all
Pity we cannot see the Fire Brigade vehicles. It should be parked inside and go out from the left side. Anybody got more photo?
ReplyDeleteImagine a coconut tree right in the middle of Kuching town. Cool.
ReplyDeleteI found this via Google ...
ReplyDelete"The Old Fire Brigade Station Lookout Tower is the remnant of the old fire station that used to stand here in Kuching. A fire brigade station was built here in 1917, following land reclamation that filled up Batang Gartak river. When the fire brigade station was pulled down following the completion of a new fire brigade station at Jalan Padungan, some how the old lookout tower was not demolished. Today, the tower stands surrounded by a food centre. The place is often called Open Air - even though nowadays there's a roof over it - while the Old Fire Brigade Station Lookout Tower is called the Open Air Tower."
Just imagine this viewing tower was once the highest point in the whole of Kuching Town for the firemen to see which part of town was on fire ! Hard to believe but true ...
ReplyDeleteFascinating .. the first photo. Never knew.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone make out what is that archway or tunnel looking structure on the extreme right of the picture?
ReplyDeleteJohn, ya I think Norbert mentioned the storeroom in the watch tower. Good to see it still serves some useful purpose.
ReplyDeleteHi..James
ReplyDeleteCould that be an archway to a row of shops, similar to India Street?
I think that's the archway is the main entrance to the vege market or fish market?
ReplyDeleteI've just added the new picture that Nobert Liew sent to me this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteThe coconut tree turned into a lamp post. LOL
ReplyDeleteAND THE WASTE COLLECTOR PUSHCART TURNED INTO MOTORCYCLE ALSO
ReplyDeleteIf you look at pic.1 and pic.2,Pushcart didn't moved at all, broom in cart same position, someone in KMC not sweeping...not working...ular..
ReplyDeleteNay, maybe photos were taken on same day in the 50's.
no Kuching North and Kuching South mayors and offices yet lah!
ReplyDeleteCorrect la, no Kuching North and Kuching South mayors n offices yet but surely got KMC mah......
ReplyDeleteIf no KMC ho, then who look after the cleaning of the town ler?
Classic picture. Good to see old scenes of Kuching. More WJ?
ReplyDeleteanybody been to the top of that tower?
ReplyDeletePlease can you get me some old St. Teresa School Secondary Photos? Looking for an old classmate from 1973, first Name Juliana ... I am Lily AW and miss my dear old mate sitting next to me from Kindergarten until Form Three! Insist to keep asking and looking. My Email:klimano52@hotmail.com Thanks! Lily
ReplyDelete@Lily Aw - I'm not sure I have any old St Teresa Sec photos. But if anyone reading this can help Lily, please contact her directly. Or you can post something to this blog.
ReplyDelete