“Ever wonder where the name Thomson comes from?”
Welcome to Thomson. This area stretches from Novena to Yishun. It’s a subzone of Bishan. We’re mainly in the central catchment area here. This area includes MacRitchie, Upper Peirce, and Lower Peirce Reservoirs.
Thomson is named after Thomson Road. Before the 1850s, Thomson Road was called Seletar Road. John Turnbull Thomson laid this road in 1852 and 1853. He was the Government Surveyor. They later named the road after him.
Thomson Road links the central business district with northern suburbs. It’s one of Singapore’s longest roads. Thomson Road becomes Upper Thomson Road as you head north.
Housing here is expensive. Its convenient location and access to the Central Area explain this. Also its schools, parks, and closeness to nature make it desirable. Condominiums are common here such as Green Meadows and Thomson Grove. Private housing dominates here. You’ll see some HDB flats and shophouses too. Low-rise housing stretches from MacRitchie to Peirce Reservoirs.
Thomson has one of Singapore’s oldest roads. It links northern Singapore to the Central Area and Downtown Core. The road splits into Thomson Road, Old Upper Thomson Road, and Upper Thomson Road. Old Upper Thomson Road connected northern villages to the Downtown Core.
You can find many popular food spots here. Roti prata shops line the main road.
Thomson Road once connected the city center to Seletar’s naval base. It was originally Thomson Road. Then, it became Seletar Road. This caused confusion because both bases were called Seletar. In 1939, parts of the road were renamed to fix this. Thomson Road went to Yio Chu Kang junction. Upper Thomson Road went to Mandai Road junction. Sembawang Road went to the northern coast. Seletar Road was dropped.
In 1959, the Singapore Rural Board renamed part of the road. It became Upper Thomson Road from Braddell Road junction to Mandai Road junction.
From 1961 to 1973, Thomson Road hosted the Singapore Grand Prix.
Today, Thomson Road starts at Keng Lee Road junction. It passes through Novena. It goes by Toa Payoh before becoming Upper Thomson Road. It skirts Bishan and Ang Mo Kio. You’ll also see Thomson Plaza and Singapore Island Country Club. After Springleaf Estate, the road meets Mandai Road. Then, it continues as Sembawang Road.
Thomson Road has MRT stations such as Springleaf and Upper Thomson. These are on the Thomson-East Coast Line. Novena station is on the North-South Line.
So, remember John Turnbull Thomson as you explore this vibrant area. His legacy lives on in the name Thomson.