Thomson, Singapore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
English | Thomson |
Chinese | 汤申 |
(Pinyin | tāngshēn) |
Malay | fill in |
Tamil | fill in |
Thomson is a relatively narrow area stretching from Novena in the Central Region of Singapore up north till Yishun. The area is mainly located within the central catchment area where some of Singapore's reservoirs are located, including MacRitchie Reservoir, Upper Peirce Reservoir and Lower Peirce Reservoir.
[edit] Etymology and history
Thomson was named after its namesake road, Thomson Road. Up to the 1850s, Thomson Road was known as Seletar Road. The road was laid by John Turnbull Thomson (1821-1884), Government Surveyor (1841-1853) in 1852 and 1853, and was subsequently named after him.
[edit] Highlights
The people who live within the Thomson area are also known as "Thomsoners", and a variety of popular food establishments, such as roti prata are dotted along the main road which runs through the area.
The factor of convenient location, such as its proximity and the ease of travelling to the Central Area, ease of access to popular schools, parks and other parts of Singapore combined with an aesthetic environment near forest and reservoirs tends to make property prices in the area significantly higher than other parts of Singapore. Due to this fact, a large number condominiums can be found in Thomson as well. Private housing makes up the bulk of the housing in Thomson with a modicum of HDB flats and shophouses. Neighbouring towns near the Thomson area includes Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Seletar, Toa Payoh and Sembawang.
The area also contains one of the oldest roads in Singapore, which is also one of the longest and tends to be a vital link from the northern part of Singapore to the Central Area and the Downtown Core, as well as the rest of the island. The road is split into three lengths, Thomson Road, Old Upper Thomson Road and Upper Thomson Road. The Old Upper Thomson Road was designed to link the villages in the northern region with the Downtown Core.
The area has a unique history and culture similar to Holland Road.
[edit] Reference
- Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2003), Toponymics - A Study of Singapore Street Names, Eastern Universities Press, ISBN 981-210-205-1