Tan Kim Seng's fountain was built by the Municipal Commissioners to commemorate his generous contribution made in 1857 towards the building of Singapore's first reservoir and waterworks. The waterworks was completed in 1877. The fountain was first erected at Fullerton Square and was officially unveiled on 19 May 1882 by the President of the Municipality, Sir Thomas Scott. It was then moved to Esplanade Park at Connaught Drive in 1925.
It seems like an irony that this fountain resembles those fountains found in European countries, such as The Fountain of River Commerce and Navigation in Paris, France. This is because the fountain's beautiful Victorian-style design was done by Andrew Handyside & Co from England.
Elegant Victorian-style details on the fountain.
Who is Tan Kim Seng?
Tan Kim Seng (1805 - 1864) was a wealthy Straits Chinese trader who moved to Singapore from Malacca in the 1820s. With a small capital, he set up Kim Seng & Company, a trading firm along Boat Quay. He was also a prominent benefactor who has made significant philanthropic contributions in Singapore and Malacca after his wealth flourished.
Apart from contributing $13 000 to the building of waterworks, he founded Chui Eng Si E in 1854, a Chinese free school for boys, at Amoy Street. Another of his public act of charity was the building of a road, which was later named after him. On every Chinese New Year, he would offer gifts of food and money to the patients at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. He even managed to successfully mediate the secret society dispute between the Hokkiens and Cantonese in 1854, with the help of Seah Eu Chin.
He was highly regarded as a leader by the Chinese community and was made Justice of the Peace by the British government for his opinions on Chinese issues.
Did you know that this fountain is one of the oldest fountains in Singapore?
It was constructed in the 19th Century and underwent through restoration before it was gazetted as a national monument on 28 December 2010.
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