The area where Clarke Quay MRT Station stands today was vastly different in the past.

Right up till the mid-1990s, Ellenborough Market was one of the main features in the area.

Many names, same market

The market was known to many by a few other names.

It was known as Teochew Market, because the area was a Teochew enclave. It was also referred as Pasar Bahru, which means "New Market" in Malay. It is also introduced as New Market, which gave the name to New Market Road.

It was named after Edward Law, the 1st Earl of Ellenborough and the Governor-General of India (1841-1844).

It was well-known for selling fresh fish and dried seafood products.

Ellenborough Market made the Pa Sat, "Lau Pa Sat"

Ellenborough Market's birth probably gave Lau Pa Sat ("Old Market" in Hokkien) its name.

Opened in 1825, Lau Pa Sat, then known as Telok Ayer Market, was the first market established in colonial Singapore.

20 years later, when Ellenborough Market was built in 1845, it became known to the local population as "New Market" or "Sin Pa Sat" in Hokkien, because it was newer than Telok Ayer Market, which then became referred to as Lau Pa Sat.

This was how Ellenborough Market looked like, before it was destroyed by a fire in 1968.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Ellenborough Market in the late 1800s. Source: NAS[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="681"] Ellenborough Market in 1910. Source: NAS[/caption]

In the 1970s, HDB flats were built on the site, and the Ellenborough Market continued to thrive.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Ellenborough Market in the 1970s. Source: NAS [/caption]

Sadly, however, Ellenborough Market no longer exists today.

On its site in the present day, stands The Central, a swanky shopping mall and Swissotel Merchant Court, a hotel.

The only reminder left of the market's existence today lies in an eatery named Ellenborough Market Cafe at Swissotel Merchant Court.

Here are some pictures of life in the area over the years.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The old Ellenborough Market in the 1950s. Source: NAS[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Inside the old Ellenborough Market in 1953. Source: NAS [/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="753"] A fish auction at Ellenborough Market in 1952. Source: NAS [/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="470"] Ellenborough Street in 1980. Source: NAS [/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="724"] The area in 1980. Source: NAS [/caption]

Top image from NAS.

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