|
Magazine Circus At the turn of the century in 1900, in the bustling Georgetown with its historic district of Weld Quay and its hinterland was expanding rapidly, giving rise to the need of finding newer suburbs. First in the planning was the "Seven Precinct". This was a triangular plot of coastal land which would contained a small township with seven parallel Roads. This piece of land lying south of the Prangin Canal.. Places beyond the Prangin Canal was really "Ulu" then. They were coastal mangrove forest were occupied by the Hokkien people and with some clans "bridges" [settlements] They called their place "Koay kang-ah" in their lingo. In today's situation this triangular land is sandwiched between Beach Road and Brick Kiln Road. The first and also main road for the Seven Precinct was named as Magazine Road. The road got its name associated with the storage of ammunition at the western end of the road. The piece of land where the present "Gama" is located. In that era, all traffic going to the inland farms in Air Itam or going north to the resort at Gurney drive from the old quarters of town would converge and meet up in this new 6-ways Junction - at the western end of Magazine road. Here are some pcitures from those early days Part 1 - Pictures the pre-War era Route to the Weld Quay port area from Air Itam - The road passed the Dato Keramat Road - would go straight into Gladstone Road from thereon into Caravon Street. This was the principle roads between the pier and the farms in Air Itam. Noticed that at that time certain roads were already hailed as street - "Caravon, Chulia and Pitt" Showing their importance. Pix# 1 Earliest Picture from the Caravan "A" Round about Picture taken looking east from Air Itam Road looking towards Gladstine Road and Magazine Road
Pix# 2 A close-up This time with a date?
Pix# 3 Looking westwards This picture looking backwards towards Air Itam. Traffic was light with Open Tram Cars accompanied by lots of Rickshaws. No automobile seen here yet.
Part 2 - Pictures the post-War era Pix#4 Iconic Caravan "A" tower My first picture of that Iconic "Craven A" cafe. With the banner, the date could confirm that this picture was taken around 3rd June 1953 when Elizabeth II had her coronation.
Pix# 5 The First Round About Picture The Chinese called the Magazine Circus (五葩燈) which means "5 Arms Gas Lamps" In this picture I spotted another set of 3 hanging electric lamps. They were for junctions at Macalister, Dato Keramat and Brick Kiln Roads. Cars are spotted for the first time and the Round About - size was small and almost round with kerb pavements.. The white tower in the center held the Gas Lamps previously - were already removed at the time when this picture was raken
Pix# 6 The Five-Lamps Model - 五葩燈 I am really puzzled! Saw a picture of Electric Tram car running the Air Itam route in 1900, why would they use the old fashion Gas-fired Street Lamps in Magazine Circus? At last, the answer came after searhing, Right up till 1930, Street Gas Lamps was the pride of London Town. Along the streets, single unit lamps on poles would lined many street in London Town. There Double, Triple and Five units models too but were very rare inseeing them. So for nostalgic reason, the British had the most elegant and refined unit installed in faraway Penang. And So, the chinese term of "Goh Pah Teng" was not associated the Five way split of the Magazine Road junction. But referring to this special display unit See the 8 foot tall white column in the middle of the Roundabout [upper picture] - That's was built to cater for the mounting of the 5 unit Lamps assembly.
Pix #7 The 1st SHELL petrol station - North Malaya The station was first planned 1913, but finally managed to start pumping fuel in1925. The location as stated was Penang Road. Yes from this picture, the station was indeed fronting Penang Road
Pix# 8 The SHELL next to Gladstone Road I am particularly thrilled in finding this picture, there was a bus stop here for the Lim Seng Seng Bus going to Air Itam. My daily routine when I go for my primary school Wellesley. There were 2 Shell petrol stations - one on this end in Penang Road and another on the opposite side end of the road at Sia Boey. and facing the row of shops in Gladstone Road. Obviously, the bottom picture with much modern cars must be taken in the 50s, a good 30 years apart
Pix# 9 The Roundabout & Shell The roundabout then was a slightly raised curbside. Also missing would be a picture when chain was installed over the concrete kerb to deter trespassers into stepping on the green.
This picture showing part of Gladstone Road - a road eliminated with the construction of Komtar. The western end of Gladstone Road this Shell Petrol station then another right at the eastern end, facing the Caravon Circus. As the bus passed through recalled the days of Pet Shop selling aquarium "Peacock Fishes". Another one on the opposite side of road selling Siamese fighting fishes for Rgt 1 each. Just next to the Sia Boey bus stop would be shops handling potteries and cookeries ware Pix# 10 Tin Ore for Eastern Smelting Company Remember the giant Eastern Smelting Company No.78 Dato Kramat Road? Another good picture showing scene on Gladstone Road. Here an Bo type locomotive No,2 pulling a series of rail wagon loaded with tine ore from Weld Quay passing by Gladstone Road. going towards the Magazine Circus. Take note that the locomotive has 2 vertical poles to get its power supply
The Penang Georgetown Magazine roundabout, also known as the Magazine Circus, is a historic landmark located in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. The roundabout once featured a distinctive Mido sign, which has become an iconic symbol of the city. The Mido sign was originally installed on the roof of the Mido Cafe, a popular hangout spot for locals and tourists alike. The cafe, which was located on the corner lot of Magazine Road west. This cafe was established in 1955 and quickly became a popular destination for people looking for good food, drinks, and company. The name Magazine Circus refers to a six-pointed roundabout or traffic circle that used to be there. It was known to the Malays as Simpang Enam, and to the Hokkiens as Gor Pha Teng or "Five Lanterns", in reference to a lamp post with five lamps located at the roundabout. The Tamils call the junction Muchanti or "six streets". In the 1970s, the Penang Municipal Council decided to restructure this Roundabout to alleviate traffic congestion in the area. As part of the construction project, the structure holding the Mido sign was moved from the rooftop of cafe. The Mido sign became a beloved symbol of Penang, rendering the Magazine Circus a popular landmark for locals and visitors alike. The sign is a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage and its commitment to preserving its history and traditions. Today, the Penang Georgetown Magazine roundabout remains an important part of the city's landscape. Sadly the two important landmark Mido Sin and Craven Tower only served as a reminder city's once vibrant past and its ongoing evolution as a modern metropolis Well, to continue our story of the past with pictures Pix# 11 Aerial view Semi-elliptical Round About This was the time prior to 1974 where pictures were in Black & White. The vacant land at the beginning of Brick Kiln Road, left behind when the ammunition depot was then a vacant lot. [lower edge] There should be the 6th Road [left edge] the Macalister Road is hidden behind the iconic square of the Craven A tower. The round about had altered into a semi-elliptical shape and the "Five" iconic lamps were long gone Focus on the vacant lot! there is another termed which is (銃藥間) which means "Gun Powder Room" translated word for word. I couldn't find any picture of how the buildings would have looked like. While there wasn't any record and I cannot tell what kind of activity was going on in this vicinity back then. Can be sure that there was good human gatherings judging from the many signs of food vendors were around to supply subsistence for those associated with the ammunition store. That explain till this day, this neighborhood is still having a cluster of many Mamak Nasi Kandar stalls.. Hidden from view in this picture is Magazine Road. With increased traffic flow, this round about was enlarged or elongated into this shape
Pix# 12 Dato Keramat entering Magazine Circus With the collection of valuable picture and no hint of dates, I am depending on the model of this Lim Seng Seng Bus to slot the picture into place. With "P" number would be in the 50's
Pix# 13 The Police Station - Dato Keramat Road Built on the land vacated by the Ammunition Store - The old stores demolished during the Japanese occupation. Here with the Queen's picture this building, confirmed that this picture was taken 1953 too.
Pix # 14 The Gama Super Store A modern looking facility. Gama - the first large hypermarket for Penang but on the land vacated by the police station
Part 3 - The Roaring Sixties Pictures still in Black & White as colored print only came to Malaysia in 1974, Pix# 15 The Police Station - Its neighbors Fairly recent in 1970, there were double decker Omnibuses. At the back the long building is that Eastern Smelting Company in between Datuk Kramat and Petani Road. The last look as this Police Station would dismantled again to make way for Gama Super Market that would be coming up soon
Pix# 16 A catchy billboard in the early 1960's I must admit that this picture is fake but enacting a real scene of the 1960's. I have difficulty in getting an authentic pictires, so to satisfy myself i made this one. Very iconic billboard of those days. This Billboard space was first erected in 1955.
Pix # 17 Traffic at the Magazine Circus Here is series 3 old pictures from the late 60's to reminiscence the glorious days of Magazine Circus
Pix# 18 Traffic at the Magazine Circus Must be in the early 1970's, some hints of colors in the pictures. Last look without Komtar.
Pix# 19 Better views and noticeable colors With the phase I of Komtar in place, date could be narrowed down to
Part 4 - The Komtar Era Pix# 20 A Komtar Building in Progress So fast we reached 1980's
Part 4 -Present Day scene Part 4 -Present Day but not Today
Pix# 21 The State of old "Mido" Billboard This must be last poster on that billboard before the Government decide to disallow bill boards in 1970
Pix # 22 Present day scene Craven "A" cafe taken up a new look, Pity the old iconic tower clad up although the name of the cafe stays
Pix # 23 Entire stretch of Datuk Kramat Road Taken from Times Square showing the Indian temple
Pix # 24 Replica of the views as shown in old pictures Have a last look at that corner of the Round About Vicinity of Gama and vis-a-vis with where Mido was once at!
Pix# 25 Same spot as the picture above This time, out of nostalgia, side view of the shop lot holding the Mido billboard and across Craven "A" - The 2 most memorable scenes
Part 5 - Today's view 2022
Pix# 26 Imposing Gama
and shop without the billboard
Pix # 27 Iconic and imposing Komtar Inescapable sight
Pix# 28
Poor Craven "A" building
The Magazine Circus area in Penang, Malaysia, has seen the rise and fall of several iconic landmarks over the years. Two such landmarks were the Craven "A" Cafe and the Mido Rooftop Billboard, which were synonymous with Macaslister and Penang Roads. Sad to say were left to rot as the Junction was not rated that high for usefulness. The Mido board structure was dismantled as it was not longer appropriate The 60-floor landmark Komtar building, which represents Penang is useful but not nostalgic for us. We almost have no dealings with it. The area around Magazine Circus has changes its looks over the years, finally back to square one - No more Magazine Circus. In conclusion, the story of Magazine Circus in Penang is a testament to the city's has to adapt and evolve over time. The area has seen the migration of a prosperous commercial district to heading for oblivion As Penang continues to grow and change, it will be interesting to see what new landmarks and attractions emerge in the years to come.
|
 |
W i t h W i l l W o u l d W a n d e r |
 |
