Bukit Brown Sheds and Superintendent House

I came across the post by Raymond Goh (dated 20 October 2024 on the tomb of Mr. Yeo Seok Hwa who passed away on 11 August 1941 at Block 5 Division B, plot 95 and the fact that the tomb no longer exist as it was affected by the highway). What was equally important was the background of the rare picture. In the first picture it shows two sheds (or rest houses) in Bukit Brown. The second picture is the Coolie Quarters (not to be confused with the coolie lines ) or also known as the Superintendent House or Office. Although it is only a partial picture, i was very happy to get a glimpse of it as we know of its existence from the old maps and aerial photograph of Bukit Brown but was not fortunate enough to see it up close.  If any of you have pictures of the Coolie Quarters / Superintendent House, do share with me.

Two sheds in the background (photo courtesy of Keng Leck)

Tomb of Yeo Seok Hwa (in background is the Superintendent Quarters)
(photo courtesy of Keng Leck)

Bukit Brown Sheds / Rest houses

I had an impression from the Bukit Brown map shared by National Archives burial registrar that there was only 1 shed when in fact there were two (in fact - i shared images of the 2 sheds back from a post in 9 July 2018 but i totally forgot over that time there were actually in fact two !) Fortunately the photo above shared by Raymond jot back that memory and reconfirms that there was indeed two sheds built of different design. A tender notice (back in 1921) shared by Raymond also gave insight on the plan and timeframe it was built. Finally what i can deduce was that one of the shed (the bigger one) no longer existed (maybe due to safety issues) sometime between 1949-1954. 

Aerial Photograph 1946 (source: NAS) 

Aerial Photograph 1959 (source: NAS)

(source: NAS)

source: Map of Singapore City, 1954. Survey Department of the Federation of Malaya

Milestones of early days of  the infrastructure set-up at Bukit Brown Cemetery 

1921 - Tenders for the Erection and Completion of Two Open Sheds at Bukit Brown Cemetery off the 3 3/4 milestone, Bukit Timah Road (see below). 

1922 - Approval for fixed concrete seats and tables in the 2 rest houses for those attending burials. For sake of public convenience, water supply be arranged. Engage 4 Javanese Kebuns (gardeners) to prevent the growing of weeds and plant gardens shrubs

1922 - Contract with Chia Oh Leok for erection of a bungalow at Bukit Brown Cemetery 

1923 -Approved erection of an iron gate at the entrance to Municipal Ground for Chinese at Bukit Brown at an estimated cost of $2,000 (later this estimate went up of $3,000)

1924 - The street running from Bukit Timah Road to Bukit Brown Chinese Cemetery to be declared as a public street under Section 102 of Ordinance No. 135 (Municipal) and be name "Kheam Hock Road". 

1929 -Tenders are invited for the erection of two blocks of Coolie Lines at Bukit Brown Cemetery

1929 - Accepted the tender of Lian Hup Co. ($6,2000 for erection of Coolie Lines at Bukit Brown Cemetery.

(updating still in progress -do visit frequently for more updates)

Photos of the Sheds  / Rest Areas

Shelter in Bukit Brown in 1920's
(Photo courtesy of Madam Lim Soo Eng and James Yip)

Shelter in Bukit Brown in 1920's
(Photo courtesy of Madam Lim Soo Eng and James Yip)

Shelter in the 1960's
(Photo courtesy of Madam Lim Soo Eng and James Yip)

Bukit Brown shelter (screen grab from the movie, Ring of Fury dated 1973) 

Bukit Brown shelter with tables and benches for resting (screen grab from the movie, Ring of Fury dated 1973) 

Bukit Brown shelter view from Hill 5 (screen grab) from the movie, Ring of Fury dated 1973)

Who was the Superintendent of Bukit Brown Cemetery ?

So with a little glimpse of the house in Bukit Brown, who was staying there ? One of the person that i can potentially identify living there is from old burial receipts (from one i shared and others that are available online from other different sources).The commonality is a person by the name of Lim Peng Cheng whose signature appears on the receipt was the Superintendent in charge of Bukit Brown during that time.

Burial receipt (photo courtesy of William Teo)

References. 

Advertisement. (1921, May 11). The Singapore Free Press, page 5

Advertisements. (1929, August 1). Malaya Tribune, page 7

Municipal Activities. (1929, August 28). The Singapore Free Press

Aerial photographs by the British Royal Air Force between 1940 to 1970s, from a collection held by the National Archives of Singapore. Source: National Archives of Singapore.
Bukit Brown: Documenting New Horizons of Knowledge. (website). Rojak Librarian, posted on 20 July 2014
Bukit Brown Roundabout in the Past. (website). Rojak Librarian, posted on 21 March 2012