Climb this hill with me and step back into Singapore’s past at Pearl’s Hill City Park. This isn’t just any park. It is a green lung nestled right behind Outram Park MRT station.
Pearl’s Hill City Park spans nine hectares. It offers a tranquil escape from the city bustle. But how did Pearl’s Hill City Park get its unique name?
Our story begins with Captain James Pearl. He was the commander of the Indiana. This ship brought Sir Stamford Raffles to Singapore in 1819. Pearl was captivated by this hill. He decided to make Singapore his home.
The hill was once covered in gambier plantations owned by Chinese planters. Pearl began buying out these planters. By 1822 he owned the entire hill. He even built a house on top. Initially he named it Mount Stamford as a tribute to Raffles.
However Raffles wasn’t pleased. Pearl had acquired the hill without his approval. Raffles ordered its repossession. Though Raffles eventually relented, Pearl was unhappy. He renamed the hill Pearl’s Hill after himself. Even though Pearl sold the hill back to the government in 1828, the name stuck. And so we have Pearl’s Hill City Park.
The park is built around a service reservoir constructed in 1904. This reservoir is similar to the one at Fort Canning Park. Interestingly Pearl’s Hill was once taller than Fort Canning Hill. The top of Pearl’s Hill was shaved off in the 1800s. This made Fort Canning Hill and its military fort the higher ground.
Pearl’s Hill City Park officially became a park in 1974. A pond became its prominent feature. This pond is home to terrapins and fishes. Lotus plants add beauty to the water. Dragonflies flit across the surface.
Keep an eye out for squirrels. You might see them darting among the trees. You may spot little reptiles basking in the sun.
Pearl’s Hill City Park has witnessed much history. Tan Tock Seng’s original Chinese Paupers’ Hospital was once located here. Singapore’s first prison also stood on this hill. The Straits Settlement Police barracks were strategically placed at the base of the hill. This kept a watchful eye on Chinatown. Chinatown was a hub of criminal activity then.
As you wander along the paths ponder the past. Appreciate the serene nature. Pearl’s Hill City Park offers a unique blend of both. It’s a hidden gem easily missed in modern Singapore. A place where nature and history intertwine.