1950s Tsim Sha Tsui and Star Ferry

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Mon, 09/22/2014 - 19:31
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1950s Tsim Sha Tsui and Star Ferry

Photo received via email

Date picture taken
1950s
Tags
aerial photographs
Gallery
1950s Hong Kong
Shows place(s)
Godown / shops near Star Ferry [1923-1963]
Clock Tower of KCR Terminus [1921- ]
The Peninsula Hotel [1927- ]
Kowloon Hotel (3rd generation) [1923-1960]
Customs Office - Kowloon [????- ]
Star Ferry Terminal & piers, TST (current generation) [1958- ]
KCR Terminus, TST [1916-1978]
Post office's Kowloon sorting office [c.1946-c.1967]
Kowloon Star Ferry Bus Terminus [1921- ]
TST Post Office (2nd location) [1906-????]
Manson House [1958- ]
HK Telephone Building / Telephone House, Nathan Road [c.1948-c.1976]
Mirador Mansion [1959- ]
Former Marine Police HQ [1884- ]
Kowloon Wharves [????-????]

Comments

Permalink
Submitted by
Oldtimer in America (not verified)
on
Tue, 10/09/2007 - 09:29

The American Presidents Liners used to anchor here and ferry many Chinese immigrants to the New World. After climbing onboard the President Wilson, I said good-bye to my childhood place then sailed to San Francisco to start a new life.
The facings on these buildings are unforgetable as if they, 50 years ago, appeared only yesterday.

We've been sent another set of seven 1950s photos from the area. Start here, then use the 'next image' links to see the rest.

We've also received a shot of the Peninsula Hotel taken soon after the end of the war. It is still covered in the camouflage paint the Japanese used to help disguise the area against allied bombing raids.

I wonder how long it was before all the camouflage paint was removed?

MrB

Beautiful photo of the Peninsular Hotel - a ramp circuling around the big fountain. I went inside to make a telephone arrangement in order to talk with relatives in Los Angeles (no direct dial possible then).
The train track running out of the station was how I remember it, a fence with free-growing grassy vegetation along it.
My parents got married a few days before the Japanese invaded Hong Kong. He is in his 90's now and if I can refresh his memories of that period, I will share them with you here.

Permalink
Submitted by
Cliff (not verified)
on
Thu, 10/02/2008 - 23:46

Could this picture be taken after 1958? At the top of the picture you can see the thin line of what could only be the then new runway at Kai Tak.

Hi there,

I believe it could be verified that the picture was taken before 1966 as my former employer started out at the Ocean Terminal at 1966.  The pier was there, but the Ocean Terminal had not been built yet.

We could push it back a bit more as the Star House was also wasn't there yet.  The Star House was inaugurated in 1964 (I think).  This photo was showing the building before the construction of the Star House.   Could any senior netter verify my suggestions please?

Best Regards,

T

My guess, the photo would have been taken between 1959 and 1960. The reclaimed runway at Kai Tak was already in operation in 1958.

From the picture, the icon of TST, Chungking Mansions completed in 1961 had yet to be built. On the other hand, Far East Mansions on Middle Road (opposite the present day Sheraton Hotel and Middle Road Carpark) was completed in 1958. Ambassador Hotel (and Imperial Hotel next door) at the corner of Middle and Nathan Roads is under construction and adjoins the alrady built Far East Mansions.

Hi Moddsey

thanks for the link.

Now I know apart form Suzie Wong and 'Love is a many splendoured thing', 'soldier of fortune' was also filmed in HK.

When I revisited HK in 2004 I was thrilled to see that Kin Yin Lane (right name?) still exists. Obvioulsy the harbour was much wider and sky was clearer back then. Also exists is the Tin Hau Temple in YauMaTei, I even drew a sketch of it when I visited last Decemeber.

Ray

Does anyone know how much it cost a seven-year-old child to board the Star Ferry in the 1950s?