1950s Tsim Sha Tsui and Star Ferry | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

1950s Tsim Sha Tsui and Star Ferry

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1950s Tsim Sha Tsui and Star Ferry
Submitted by Admin
Tags: 
aerial photographs

Photo received via email

Date picture taken (may be approximate): 
Sunday, January 1, 1950
Gallery: 
1950s Hong Kong
Connections: 
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Comments

Submitted by Oldtimer in America (not verified) on Tue, 2007-10-09 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.

Submitted by Admin on Tue, 2007-10-09 21:59.
We've received another photo for you.

Submitted by David on Thu, 2007-10-25 15:35.

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

Submitted by Oldtimer in America (not verified) on Fri, 2007-10-26 05:21.
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.

Submitted by David on Sat, 2007-10-27 12:46.

here.

Oldtimer, thanks for sharing your memories with us. I'm enjoying reading them very much.

MrB

Submitted by Cliff (not verified) on Thu, 2008-10-02 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.

Submitted by tngan on Fri, 2008-10-03 00:13.

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

Submitted by tngan on Fri, 2008-10-03 00:24.
http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/kaitak.html

Submitted by moddsey (not verified) on Fri, 2008-10-03 07:57.
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.

Submitted by raymond tse on Sun, 2013-02-17 05:59.

Talking about Star House. If you'd ever watched the movie 'World of Suzie Wong', you will find from the very beginning few minutes that Star House wasn't even built at that time. FYI this film was made in 1960.

Submitted by moddsey on Sun, 2013-02-17 08:27.

Some of the scenes in the film were shot twice: http://gwulo.com/the-world-of-suzie-wong-hong-kong-locations

Submitted by doug on Sun, 2013-02-17 20:43.

I have a small group of slides stamped "Dec 1966". This one shows the Star House under construction:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58451159@N00/8165086787/in/set-72157631955878308

 

Submitted by raymond tse on Mon, 2013-02-18 10:38.

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

Submitted by philk on Mon, 2013-02-18 11:31.

Just for you Raymond: http://gwulo.com/soldier-of-fortune-hong-kong-locations

Submitted by raymond tse on Mon, 2013-02-18 12:13.

Really appreciated.

Submitted by TP on Sun, 2019-03-31 17:21.

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

Submitted by Rachel Kesal on Wed, 2019-04-17 00:03.

My sister reckons it cost 5 cents and perhaps 10 cents upstairs

Submitted by TP on Wed, 2019-04-17 15:30.

Thank you, Rachel Kesal.