Let’s take a trip back in time and discover how these roads in Singapore got their names.
What’s in a name? Everyone should know Singapore’s origin story by now. But so many fascinating things about our country are just waiting to be discovered, like lighthouses. Meanwhile, not many people are privy to our beautiful streets and roads. So what’s the story, morning glory? That’s what we’re about to find out. Get comfortable as we go back in time and uncover the meaning and stories behind Singapore’s road names.
Singapore’s road names and their origins
1. One Tree Hill
Millennials, what comes to mind when you see this name? The 2000s American drama, probably. Unfortunately, you’re a little off. We do have a road by this name in the Orchard district. Yes, it’s true! Located off Grange Road, this 500m-long stretch is filled with private residences. Before this, it was a rubber plantation owned by Guthrie & Company in the 19th century. A particular tree stood out due to its height (rubber trees can grow up to 30m tall), which inspired the area’s name. Several British military leaders called One Tree Hill home; a Teochew village was nearby, too.
2. Devil’s Bend
@thehoneycombers Spooky season is around the corner, so we visited this supposedly haunted road – keep watching for the history behind it! #devilsbendroad #exploresg #tiktoksg
Old Upper Thomson Road has a storied past that deserves recognition. Did you know the Formula One night race in September is not the first time our country has hosted the Grand Prix? Back in 1961, the first Singapore Grand Prix was held over a weekend. Competitors raced in a 4.8km circuit with several challenging turns, including Devil’s Bend. It’s located near Upper Pierce Reservoir’s entrance and is said to be the most dangerous part of the course. In fact, the bend has claimed the lives of seven drivers over 11 years. Eventually, the entire race was cancelled due to the circuit’s hazardous nature.
While the Grand Prix has moved on to the Marina Bay area, the spirits clearly have not. Devil’s Bend is often considered one of Singapore’s most haunted roads. You might’ve heard stories about ghost sightings, a strong frangipani scent at night, and cyclists, drivers, and joggers feeling uneasy when passing through the stretch.
3. Sampan Place
Sampan is a Malay term for a flat-bottomed wooden boat. This road in Tanjong Rhu was named after local cargo boats that transported charcoal and firewood imports up and down the Singapore River. Previously, three other roads ran parallel to Sampan Place: Twakow Place, Tongkang Place, and Mangchoon Place. Twakows and tongkangs were colourful bumboats with an eye at the front, while a mangchoon is a Chinese boat. The three roads were removed in the early 90s, leaving Sampan Place as the sole survivor of Singapore’s trading past in that area.
4. Exeter Road
Can you recall where this one is located? Exeter Road can be found in Somerset. While not much is known about this short stretch in Singapore, it’s presumed the name is derived from the city of Exeter in Devon, England. During our colonial period, many roads were named after places and figures from the UK, reflecting the influence of British settlers who played critical roles in our country’s early urban planning.
Exeter Road may be low-key, but it’s a central part of the Orchard area. It connects to key roads like Somerset Road and Orchard Boulevard, and is near notable landmarks such as 111 Somerset, Trifecta, and Comcentre (aka Singtel’s corporate headquarters).
5. High Street
This is one of the city’s oldest and most historically significant streets. Running parallel to the Singapore River, High Street was a commercial hub in the early 20th century, home to high-end shops and offices. It was the go-to place for purchasing quality fabrics, luxury goods, and custom-tailored clothes. Its prominence waned as other areas like Orchard Road started to rise as the new commercial centre on top of many retailers moving to new locations.
Today, High Street is synonymous with government and legal firms. Psst: the Honeycombers office is located in this area too!
6. Finlayson Green
Here’s another road name in Singapore that has been around since the 1880s. Finlayson Green is named after John Finlayson, head of Boustead & Company and chairman of our Chamber of Commerce; he left Singapore for Britain upon retirement in 1897. It was designed as a triangular island oasis filled with trees and flowers to provide shade amid the towering buildings back then.
Since the post-war era, road widening works in the CBD have considerably decreased the size of this green space. The only building on this road is the 19-storey One Finlayson Green, an office tower completed in 1994.
7. Sago Lane
Everyone knows our little red dot is a safe place to live in. But that wasn’t the case during the 19th century, especially in Sago Lane. Here’s a brief history lesson: this one-way lane in Chinatown is named after the rise of shophouses operating as sago factories in the 1840s. This area has seen it all, from secret societies fighting for territories during the 19th century and fire disasters in 1925, 1933, and 1956, to violent riots on 26 October 1956.
But Sago Lane was known as the place where death houses operated for the longest time. Those suffering from critical illnesses and injuries were left to die there. An average of six deaths occurred daily. The government officially banned these establishments in 1961, though they persisted till the 1970s before dying out. Several landmarks have emerged near Sago Lane, the most famous being the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.
8. Jalan Mat Jambol
Pasir Panjang, which means long sand (or long beach) in Malay, is an underrated neighbourhood with a colourful history. It previously housed a fort (now known as Labrador Battery in the nature reserve), a brickworks factory, and an opium-packing plant. The area is also home to Haw Par Villa, built in 1937. After the Japanese occupation, Pasir Panjang developed into a middle-class residential (and industrial) area with six constructed roads.
One of them is Jalan Mat Jambol, which presumably has two meanings. Mat Jambol refers to a Malay male with a prominent clump of hair on the forehead. Jambol could also be linked to the jambul tree, a tropical tree known for its sweet, plum-like fruit. In this case, it is possible that the area was once home to many jambul trees, or there may have been a notable person known as “Mat Jambol” in the area.
And there you have it – interesting road names in Singapore and their backstories.
