Most Singaporeans would have some degree of familiarity with Queenstown due to its proximity to Singapore’s bustling town centre. While recent housing developments such as Dawson’s SkyVille and SkyTerrace projects have given it a new shiny facade, Queenstown is actually Singapore’s first and oldest satellite town. Given its long history in Singapore’s urban landscape, here are some facts about Queenstown that you might not be aware of:

Before it was Queenstown

Before Queenstown embarked on its pioneering journey for other satellite towns, it was a swampy valley with two hills named ‘Hong Lim’ and ‘Hong Yin’. Hong Yin hill was mostly used for agricultural production of fruits and rubber plantations while Hong Lim held the final resting place for generations of Chinese immigrants. The earliest “residents” of Queenstown lived in a small village called Bo Beh Kang, which literally translates to “No Tail River” as locals couldn’t find out where the nearby river ended.

Queenstown was named after Queen Elizabeth II

Queenstown was actually named after Queen Elizabeth II to mark her coronation on 27 September 1953, and places in Queenstown were named after towns and cities in Scotland where the Queen spent most of her childhood. While the Queens’ relatives have visited Queenstown throughout Singapore’s history, the Queen herself has never set foot in Queenstown.

The first few HDB flats in Singapore were built in Queenstown

Block 45, 48 and 49 Stirling Road was completed in October 1960, were part of the Housing and Development Board (HDB)’s First Five Year Programme. Back then, this area was simply a swampland. The initiative was aimed at transforming undeveloped land into areas with low cost public housing in order to alleviate the issue of overcrowding in the city centre.

Queenstown contains many of Singapore’s firsts

Being Singapore’s first satellite town, Queenstown pioneered many firsts for Singapore urban planning; the first technical school in 1956, first polyclinic in 1963, first community library and many more! Queenstown also played host to Singapore’s first industrial estate located along Alexandra Road, and was once home to iconic brands such as Tiger Beer Brewery, Thye Hong Biscuit Factory and Archipelago Brewery Company.

It was where the Hock Lee Bus Riots broke out in 1955

What started as a peaceful demonstration by displeased Hock Lee Bus Company drivers escalated to an outbreak of violence. This was largely caused by the Riot Police who stepped in and attempted to break the crowds up with water cannons and tear gas. This unfortunate event resulted in 2 deaths and many injured, but the bus company and Singapore Bus Workers’ Union managed to reach a consensus to improve working conditions.