Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay used to be a fresh water distribution point in the first half of the 19th century, and it is located between Boat Quay and Robertson Quay. It was named after Sir Andrew Clarke who was the Governor of the Straits Settlement from 1873-1875. This place used to have godowns and warehouses where coolies carried heavy loads of cargo from the bumboats into those godowns.

Eventually, Clarke Quay became the warehouse centre of Singapore’s entrepot trade. Today, the structure of the low buildings remains and the area was converted into Singapore’s fame night spot where wining, dining and partying took form. Just a century and more ago, this was where our forefathers toiled and fought for survival. The function of the area may have changed, but the history remains embedded.

We went on the search for The Cannery, River House and Whampoa’s Ice House and found the landmarks respectively.

The Cannery

It was named after the large number of pineapple factories that operated in Clarke Quay in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Now, it was converted into a collection of dining places like Fashion Bar, The Clinic, Yellow Jello Retro Bar etc.

River House

It used to be an elegant Chinese mansion which was built by gambier and pepper trader, Tan Yeok Nee in the 1880s. It bore the Southern China architectural style that was used to construct Chinese businessmen’s residences then. Today, it was converted into a club called Indo Chine.

Whampoa’s Ice House

This was a godown built by Whampoa and his business partner Gilbert Angus in 1854 and was used to store ice imported from Boston, USA. The building was eventually demolished due to the failure in the venture caused by insufficient demand of ice then. What replaced the site today was a bar called Bungy Bar, which is situated next to the G Max Ultimate Bungy.