A piece of history

After 31 Mar 2006, a landmark in Singapore was closed for reurbanisation. I had rarely visited that place, although I had passed by its surrounding area plenty of times. Often times, we will only start to appreciate something when we know it's going to be gone soon...


Clifford Pier, along Collyer Quay, was a well known landmark. It was officially opened in 1933, and in those olden days, it was a busy landing and departing point - commuting people between ships at sea or the outshore islands and Singapore. Many locals refer to it as 红灯码头 , (loosely translated as Red Lantern Pier) and its origins, it seems, comes from the fact that in those times, a red lamp/lantern was hung at the pier to warn ships coming into the harbour. It became a beacon of sorts. Ask any of the older folks where ang teng (Hokkien) or lampu merah (Malay) is, and they'll point you here.

Strangely, there was a time where prostitution was rampart here, although whether it's because of its name or not, I've no clue (Red Light District refers to an area where there's prostitution).

Clifford Pier afforded splendid views of the Marina Bayfront. And as part of a redevelopment effort to make Marina a new modern upmarket area (like all parts of Singapore), it was thus slated to be torn down and rebuilt.



As I took a last look (and some last pictures) on the evening of 31 Mar 2006, the skies showed some spectacular display as a tribute to the pier's 73 years of service.