Dalhousie Obelisk - Singapore
Posted by: 
geobwong2k
N 01° 17.249 E 103° 51.129
48N E 372296 N 142334
The Dalhousie Obelisk outside of the Victoria Hall was erected to Commemorate the visit of the Governor-General of India, Lord Dalhousie in 1850.
Waymark Code: WM54BM
Location: Singapore
Date Posted: 11/09/2008
Views: 12
The Dalhousie Obelisk outside of the Victoria Hall was erected to Commemorate the visit of the Governor-General of India, Lord Dalhousie in 1850. He was coming to consider a reduction of expeditures in the administration and infrastructure of Singapore. In an attempt to sway the Governor-General not to reduce spending, some merchants renamed the landing pier to Dalhousie Ghaut and erect a commemorative obelisk.
In 1886, rebuilding forced the obelisk to be moved to a new location. Finally in 1891, the obelisk was moved one more time to its current location infront of the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall.
The National Heritage Board marker Plaque Reads as follows:
The Dalhousie Obelisk was built to commemorate the visit of the Governor-General of India, Lord Dalhousie, and his wife in 1850. Singapore was by then a thriving post under the British East India Company. The funds for the Obelisk was donated by the prosperous merchant community in the hope that the visit would lead to dramatic improvements in public works, amenities and the administraion of the settlement. Unfortunately, nothing concrete materialised from the visit
The Obelisk was designed by John Turnbull Thomson (1821-1884), a surveyor and engineer. During his years in Singapore, he produced maps of the Town, the Island and the Straits, and constructed roads and bridges. He was also responsible for the building of Horsburgh Lighthouse on Pedra Branca at the eastern entrance to the Singapore Straits.
The Obelisk was threatened by the contrsutction of Connaught Drive in 1886. Governor Sir Cecil Clementi Smith intervened and ensured its safe removal to the present location where it has stood since 1891.
Date Created/Placed: 1850
Address:
1 Empress Place,
Singapore 179555
Height: 30 feet
Website: [Web Link]
Illuminated: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Give a narrative of your experience. What did you think of the obelisk? Did you learn anything? Photos are always welcome too. Please no virtual visits.