Old Pictures of Old Penang!

Thanks to Penang Vintage Postcard collection (http://penang-ppc.blogspot.com/) for pix

Current Penang Race Course was last time located in Macalister Road. In 1939, The Turf Club bought 230 acre site at Batu Gantung, therefore it was moved to the new site. The old race course site now is occupied by St. George's Girl School and the road name was changed from Race Course Road to Residency Road. The road name was derived from the official residence of the Governor of Penang.

Imprint: Strait Photo, Co. Penang, No. 17

St Xavier's Institution is a boys' school founded by the De La Salle Brothers in 1852. It was just a medium English school named St. Francis Xavier's Free School during 1825. However in 1857, the school was relocated at Farquhar Street, occupied about 30x50 meters, and about 80 pupils in the school. 

In 1900, the building was enlarged, and the enrolment rate was over 400 pupils and later even over 1000 pupils. During WW2, this building was partially bombed by Japan Army, school was suspended. After the war, the building was reconstructed and completed at 1952.

Larut Road is a road in George Town. It runs from Northam Road (Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah) to Burmah Road. Built at late 19th century, the name was derived from Larut War. Larut war is the conflict was fought among local Chinese secret societies over the control of mining areas in Perak.

Campbell Street name was derived from Sir George William Robert Campbell, he was Penang Inspector General during 1866 to 1891, at the same time, act as Lieutenant-Governor of Penang about 1 years from 1872. Campbell Street in Chinese called 新街，meaning 'new street' created between Pitt Street and Penang Road. It is a red light district, and supported by businesses such as opium shops, barber shops, watch shops, medical halls, textile shops, jewelery shops and the most attractive was a lined of brothels.

In Hokkien, the local called it 'Sin Kay', as a pun to mean 'fresh hooker' brought in from China to fill the courtesans quarters along the street. Before the abolition of licensed prostitution around 1930, Campbell Street was known as high-class Chinese brothels, they advertise themselves by hanging red lanterns at their doors. In Malay, Campbell Street was called 'Jalan Nona Baru' which means 'new maidens' street. The Cantonese used to call it Fa Kai means Flower Street. The 'Fa' represent the prostitutes in refined term.

In the postcard above, at the left hand-side shows the area of Esplanade. The Padang Kota Lama is the parade ground and playing field created by the British colonials. During 1900s, the clubhouse buildings such as Penang Cricket Club, Penang Recreation Club were located at here. However, during the Second World War, they were destroyed and never rebuilt again.

Snake Temple

Hutton Lane

Penang Road

F.Y.I. The car is a Toyota

?Kuantan Rd or Dato Kramat market?

China Street junction

The area in front  of Capitol theatre 

Pitt Street Chinese Temple

Elizabeth Taylor in Raintree County 'Now Showing' in Capital!

Pontianak!

Before and After picture!