Did you know that Bedok was the party central of the past? Discover more immersing facts about the town in this tantalising trail
By Pamela Chow
A 17th-century map detailing the naval battle that led to the capture of the Santa Catarina, with one of the waterways on the main island likely to be Sungei Bedok. (Photo: Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps)
In the early-20th century, Bedok was home to Singapore’s wealthy as well as villagers, fishermen and farmers. Today, the land at East Coast has been reclaimed and extended by 1km — but vestiges of the past have survived.
Embark on a historical excursion around Bedok with the National Heritage Board’s (NHB) new Bedok Heritage Trail, which features 10 heritage markers at significant sites. Here are five noteworthy ones worth a visit.
This seawall beside Nallur Road features cement pillars and a wrought-iron grille; it is rumoured to have once fenced the mansion of the son of philanthropist Tan Lark Sye. (Photo: Pamela Chow)
1. Old seawalls by the old shore
Many have passed these time-worn relics along Marine Parade Road but few know what they are. They are in fact seawalls where Bedok’s former coastline was, and fenced off grand bungalows owned by our nation’s elite.
One of them, situated beside Nallur Road, features cement pillars and a wrought-iron grille with palm tree motifs. It’s rumoured that the mansion that once stood behind this 40m-long seawall was home to the son of philanthropist Tan Lark Sye.
Two sections of seawall can be found along this stretch between Nallur Road and Jalan Sempadan.
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