Site #5: Cavenagh Bridge

The reason why i want to share with you about the Cavenagh Bridge is because it was named after the last Governor of the Straits Settlements under British India control, Sir Lieutenant General William Orfeur Cavenagh. The Cavenagh bridge was built in 1868 and it is one of the oldest bridges across the Singapore River to this day.

In July 1856, there was a mere wooden foot-bridge where the Cavenagh Bridge now stands. In 1868, Cavenagh Bridge was built to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements held in 1869. It is named after Colonel Cavenagh, the last Governor of the Straits Settlements under the Government of British India, although originally Governor Ord had planned for it to be named "Edinburgh Bridge" because it was first used during the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to Singapore. Governor Ord eventually relented when members of the Singapore Legislative Council decided that it should honour and perpetuate the name of the last Governor appointed by the British East India Company to Singapore. Cavenagh Bridge was the last major project undertaken by Indian convict labour in 1869.

Today, the Cavenagh Bridge serves as a foot-bridge for pedestrian traffic only.

Site #4: Bronze sculptures of Singapore River

The reason why i want to share with you about the bronze sculptures of the singapore river is because they stand out in the singapore river scenery. These bronze sculptures were commissioned to honour the pioneers who set foot on the island centuries ago.

Sitting in the middle is an Indian chettiar. The European banker on his right and a Chinese moneylender to his left. They were the forefathers of modern banking in the island.

Site #3: Lim Bo Seng memorial

The reason why i want to share with you about the Lim Bo Seng memorial is because this marble pagoda was a memorial dedicated to major-general Lim Bo Seng, who was an outstanding World War Two hero who led the anti-japanese resistance movement.

The memorial was built in 1954 in memory of Lim Bo Seng, who led Force 136, an anti-Japanese resistance movement. He was captured by the Japanese in Ipoh in 1944 and died the same year during detention. His body was brought back from Malaya after the war and he was buried at MacRitchie Reservoir with full military honours.

Site #2: Tan Kim Seng fountain

The reason why i want to share with you about the Tan Kim Seng fountain is because the fountain is to commemerate a very special person. to the Town of Singapore and erection of the Singapore Water Works.

Tan Kim Seng came from Malacca to Singapore in 1840. He had a humble beginning but through perseverance rose to be a very wealthy man. He founded Kim Seng and Company, a trading house on Boat Quay. Tan Kim Seng was a leader among the Chinese; he was often asked to settle disputes among them.

On 18 November 1857 Tan Kim Seng offered a sum of $13,000 for a supply of water to the Town from Bukit Timah. This water was to be carried through pipes on the main roads in Singapore. The Secretary of State for India praised the public spiritedness of Tan Kim Seng.

In recognition of Tan Kim Seng’s farsightedness and generosity the Municipal Council erected in 1882 a large fountain in Fullerton Square in front of the Exchange Building (Fullerton Building) to commemorate him.

Site #1: War Memorial Park

The reason why i want to share with you about the war memorial park is because the park is a prominent and well-known feature of the Civic District because of the civilian war Memorial fondly referred to as 'The Chopsticks'. The 61 metres tall memorial comprises of four columns which represent the four races. It was joined at the base to signify the unity of all races and is dedicated to the civilians of all races who were victims of World War II.

In 1962, a large number of remains belonging to civilian victims were unearthed in areas like Siglap, Changi and Bukit Timah. The need grew to gather these remains from all over the island and to find a place to bury them as a symbolic act of remembrance. The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce undertook this responsibility.

In 1963, the then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew set aside the present piece of land for the building of a memorial. Upon its completion in 1967, the memorial was officially unveiled by the then Prime Minister Lee, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Government and the people of Singapore. On 15 February every year, memorial services opened to the public are held at the park.


Today, the war memorial park is characterised by open lawn areas with Malinjau trees lining the walkway leading up to the memorial from the four corners of the park. Around the memorial is a pond.

Group members

1:Reema Ashok
2:Doreen Goh
3:Ang Wei En
4:Rachael Tan
5:Devonshire Koh