| This map of the Padang, taken from a 1960s street directory, should help with placing most of the images that follow. |
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| This is how the Padang looked 160 years ago. The original St. Andrews Cathedral is on the right, with government buildings in the distance. Government Hill (Fort Canning) is in the right background. |
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| Singapore Cricket Club was founded in 1852, and the second pavilion, built in 1877, can be seen in the distance. |
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| A better view of the cricket pavilion, taken between 1877 and 1884, when the third pavilion was built. |
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| The most prominent feature of the Padang, for many years, was the Grand Hotel de l'Europe. Originally, however, this was housed in a modest building. The hotel occupied the space on which the Supreme Court now stands. The hotel is on the right, as we look along High Street towards Fort Canning. |
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| Here is the replacement building, looking fairly new, c1900. St. Andrews Cathedral can be seen in the background. |
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| The same building from a different angle, looking across the Padang. |
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| The First Recreation Club was completed in 1885, and a larger building replace it in 1905. I think this is the replacement (but can't be sure). |
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| A new cricket pavilion was built in 1884. It was extended in 1907, and the "wings" added in 1922. This shows it in its 1907 condition, before the "wings" were built. |
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| This view, from c1911, shows the Cricket Club with the Victoria Memorial Hall (built 1905) towering behind. |
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| A general view across the Padang, c1920. Raffles' statue is on the right. This was later relocated to the Victoria Hall. |
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| It's April 1922, and the Grand Hotel d'Europe is all decked out for the visit of HRH The Prince Of Wales. The vintage car is a real gem, and tram wires are still in evidence. |
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| The South-Eastern boundary of the Padang was Esplanade Road, later known as Connaught Drive. |
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| The Cenotaph was a memorial to the men of Singapore who died in the First World War. It was completed in 1922. |
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| A fine view of the cricket club, with its new wings. This picture must have been taken in the late 1920s, with the Fullerton Building (completed 1928) looking brand new. The photo may have been taken from the Municipal Hall, which was under construction at that time. |
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| This arial view shows the newly completed Municipal Hall, c1929. In the foreground is the war memorial. |
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| The Municipal Building was completed in 1929, and is shown here when new. |
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| Another feature of the Esplanade is the Tan Kim Seng fountain. This was originally located in Fullerton Square, but was relocated to the Esplanade in 1925, to make way for the Fullerton Building. |
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| In 1939 the Supreme Court was completed, taking the place of the Grand Hotel d'Europe. This picture shows it when it was new. |
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| This 1940s view encapsulates most of the "classic" buildings that border the Padang. They all survive today, but of course the skyline has completely changed. |
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| This 1945 view shows Japanese prisoners undertaking a clean-up exercise on the Padang. |
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| The Padang has always been a favourite location for ceremonial events. This is June 6th 1953, and presumably the Queen's coronation is being honoured. |
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| In the 1950s, Queen Elizabeth Walk was constructed. This was a promenade built on reclaimed land, effectively moving the Padang further from the sea. |
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| By 1957 the skyline is starting to be taken over by skyscrapers such as the Bank of China building, and the Asia Insurance building. This was nothing compared to the development that would follow from the 1970s onwards. |
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| It looks like half of Singapore is taking part in this parade, on December 3rd 1959. |
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| My main reason for including this 1961 photo is that my father took it. A cricket match is under way. |
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| Not the clearest view, but it does show the classic layout of buildings around the Padang in the 1960s. |
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| ... and again, from a different angle, with the Recreation Club in the foreground. |
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| Looking down from the dome of the Supreme Court, onto City Hall. The Padang is on the right. |
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| More ceremonials, in 1982. The seas has receded still further, and the skyline is starting to come up to date. |
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| And finally, a satellite view, courtesy of Google Earth, presumably early 21st century. |
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