North Bridge Road

Jackson's 1822 Town Plan

North Bridge Road is one of the oldest roads that has existed in Singapore. It was one of the first three streets - High Street, Hill Street, North Bridge Road - which was paved by convict labourers. Although it was the roads were only officially built in 1833, proof from Lt. Phillip Jackson's Town plan shows that North Bridge Road existed as a track-path then. Given that it was one of the few roads which linked the suburbs to the town centre, North Bridge Road was considered as a major road in early Singapore. Basically, it stretches from modern day Singapore's Crawford Street to the Singapore River where it continues as South Bridge Road. Lined up along this street are prominent landmarks such as the Sultan Mosque, Chijmes and St. Andrew's Cathedral (known as St. Andrew's Church back then).


Other than towering skyscrapers in the background of today's North Bridge Roads everything else seems to have remained intact. The architecture of the shophouses are well preserved and many traditional trade such as aromatic oil and textiles are still being sold.

Textiles Trade

References:
http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_880_2004-12-28.html