Cox's Path Government Quarters (Lower) [1914-1950] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Cox's Path Government Quarters (Lower) [1914-1950]

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Submitted by David on Sat, 2010-07-10 10:32
Current condition: 
Demolished / No longer exists
Date Place completed: 
1914-01-01
Date Place demolished: 
1950-01-01

Moddsey writes:

Cox's Path Government Quarters were completed in 1914. The buildings consisted of 8 two-storied houses with detached servants quarters. Each house had a small plot of ground in front and a small yard in the rear.

The quarters were for subordinate officers of the Government and directly faced Cox's Road and the Kowloon Cricket Club. Staff of the KCR were temporaily housed there.

The quarters were  built mainly of Canton red brick.

It's worth noting that a 1924 map of the area shows what we call Cox's Road today was named Cox's Path in 1924. Today's Cox's Path didn't exist on that map.

I've guessed the demolition date as 1950, based on the fact that Morse House opened on this site in 1954. However the buildings may have lasted a couple of years longer - or indeed may have suffered wartime damage and been demolished earlier.

There was another block in a different style built behind, and slightly above these a few years later. If you look at the far left of this photo (click to zoom in), you can see both the upper and lower blocks:

1930s Cox's Path

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Photos that show this place

1924
1930

Comments

Submitted by richops on Sat, 2010-07-10 12:57.

  David, is it possible for you to upload that 1924 map?

Submitted by David on Sun, 2010-07-11 15:41.

Rich, here's the map (click map for larger copy):

1924 Map of Kowloon

Unfortunately it doesn't give much detail about the shape or layout of this lower block of quarters.

Curious that there's no sign of the upper block. I'm not sure if that means:

  • the map wasn't completely up to date when printed, or
  • it was actually published earlier than 1924, or
  • the upper block wasn't finished til after 1924?

Submitted by David on Mon, 2010-07-12 09:17.

Rich writes:

Unfortunately this map is not detailed enough solve the  mystery of Cox's Path lower and upper, [...]  Are more detailed maps available of this area and era? I guess it would mean a visit to the archives.

I haven't seen any more detailed maps, but they should exist. Some suggestions for map archives here.

If the upper and lower blocks were standing after the war, a better bet might be to contact the Public Works Department (or whatever they are called now). A couple of people have posted other buildings' layouts from the PWD, drawn post-war.

I've never contacted them though. Can anyone share their experience of getting copies of PWD plans?

Submitted by annelisec on Mon, 2010-07-12 12:12.

I have several sets of PWD maps that were at the Lands Department in the North Point Govt Offices (Quarry Bay MTR station, Exit C).

You search their maps year by year, and some I was looking for popped up - originally PWD maps.