The railway tracks are a remnant of the former KTM Railway line which ran between Johor Bahru and Singapore. It was first opened in 1903. The tracks were dismantled by 2010. Hence, today, they are mainly used for recreation or a nice photo spot.

The library was a sanctuary, especially for students and working adults. Recent gazetted for conservation, the Queenstown Public Library will continue to serve our Queenstown community of readers. 

One of the first few hawker centres built in 1969 was the Commonwealth Avenue Cooked Food Centre. Located in the first satellite town of Singapore, the hawker centre  insituated in Margaret Drive became one of the makan hotspots to locals until it was demolished in 2011. 

A few stall-owners then moved over to Tanglin Halt Hawker Centre which was opened in 1964, which stands till this very day. SNAPSHOTS features hawkers who have been around since then. Some of which includes Uncle Teng, Tanglin Halt’s original peanut pancake store which operates from 3AM as well as a dessert stall that continues selling local desserts for a dollar. 

Also, residents share morning kopi situations in Tanglin Halt where “we haven’t even reach the front of the line but he already knows our order and is already making it.” Indeed, snapshots residents will hold on to memories of the hawker aunties and uncles whom they regard as one of the core ingredients in making Tanglin Halt an estate they call home. 

Interview: Kwek Theng Rong

Resource: My Queenstown Heritage Trail, We love Queenstown (wee editions)