Smith Street is a small street running through the heart of the Chinatown district in Singapore. The Street was named after Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, the Governor of the Straits Settlements and High Commissioner from 1887 to 1893. Sir Cecil Smith was responsible for most of the work to tackle the problems of secret societies.
The Chinese name for the Smith Street is hei yuen kai, meaning Theatre Street - in reference to the Lai Chun Yuen Theatre which was the centre of entertainment in the area then. The theatre was later, converted into a cinema which was damaged in a bomb attack in 1942.
In its heyday, Smith Street's red-light reputation contributed character to the street. It was also known for hawker stalls crowding into the street, giving it a reputation as the main "Food Street".
Now, to recreate the ambiance of the food street, parts of the road are closed, turning it into an outdoor eating area.
And, on both sides of the food street are restaurants and cafes. In addition, at the top end of the road, there is a hawker centre. So, indeed, Smith Street is still a food street now. You will be spoilt for choice - where to eat, what to eat.
History of Smith Street. I have printed out what was on the sign for a easier read. Have a look (below) if you are interested to know what it said.
This was what the sign said.
"At the turn of the 20th century, Smith Street was lined with brothels. With the number of male immigrants far exceeding female immigrants, prostitutes in colonial Singapore did a roaring trade. The three and for storey shop houses on Smith Street were packed with prostitutes. most of Smith Street's brothels were Chinese, but two were Japanese. Amongst them, no 65 was said to be the most notorious.
"Life as a prostitute was horrendous. Once in a brothel, the girls were often subjected to beatings, and received little or no medical attention. Riddled with diseases, these pitiful women were often also murder victims. For instance, the brothel keeper of no 65 was stabbed in the chest when she attempted to stop a customer from leaving without paying. Seeing no other escape from their living hell, an unnumbered of these prostitutes took their own lives. While some threw themselves off buildings, others preferred a more subtle method - an opium overdose."
It's an excellent idea to have these signs telling a bit of history about the place. Tourists and locals alike can know more about the origins of the place.
After a stroll around the area, and feeling enlightened and brighter, my friends and I decided to treat ourselves to a tower of beers, while trying to re-live and imagine what the place must be like in the days gone by.
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