Taiping Markets
Encyclopedia
With the first market built in Taiping
was in 1884 and 1885. Due to the rapid growth of population in the town, there were more markets that mushrooming around the town to provide a basis facilities to the folks. Below are the major markets that constructed in 1884 until the late 1960s.
. These markets served two different functions, one as a dry market and the other as a wet market
. During the heyday, these markets were stocked with fresh vegetables, fishes and meats, almost everything made available from here. The price for all goods was controlled by the government according to a report made by Sir Frank Swettenham
when he served as the Acting Resident of Perak in 1884 until 1886. Sir Frank Swettenham also acted as the man who responsible for the establishment of the markets, he suggested to the then British Resident of Perak, Sir Hugh Low
that a market was indeed as the population of the town growth was drastically. Eventually the proposal was granted, in Sir Hugh Low’s journal written that, "the town has a good model for others, with a well maintained market for the public use".
Taiping, Perak
Taiping is a town located in northern Perak, Malaysia. With a population of 191,104 , it is the second largest town in Perak after Ipoh, the state capital. Taiping took over Kuala Kangsar's role as the state capital from 1876 to 1937, but was then replaced by Ipoh...
was in 1884 and 1885. Due to the rapid growth of population in the town, there were more markets that mushrooming around the town to provide a basis facilities to the folks. Below are the major markets that constructed in 1884 until the late 1960s.
The Old Markets
Located at the commercial town center at the Market Square, there are two markets that built separately and separated by the Kota Road. The Old Market was built in 1884 and the New Market in 1885. Both buildings stood 220 feet in length and 60 feet in width. The buildings were built with timber pillars, concreted slab and iron roof. There was an iron fountain donated by Mr Ng Boo Bee that originally stood in front of the market, in many years later it was removed and replaced with a simple concrete clock towerClock tower
A clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
. These markets served two different functions, one as a dry market and the other as a wet market
Wet market
A wet market is generally an open food market. Some of the common names include "Cultural Markets", "traditional markets", "Gaai Si", "Gaai See".-Terminology:...
. During the heyday, these markets were stocked with fresh vegetables, fishes and meats, almost everything made available from here. The price for all goods was controlled by the government according to a report made by Sir Frank Swettenham
Frank Swettenham
Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham GCMG CH was the first Resident General of the Federated Malay States which was formed by combining a number of sultanates. He served from 1 July 1896 to 1901. He was also an amateur photographer...
when he served as the Acting Resident of Perak in 1884 until 1886. Sir Frank Swettenham also acted as the man who responsible for the establishment of the markets, he suggested to the then British Resident of Perak, Sir Hugh Low
Hugh Low
Sir Hugh Low, GCMG was a British colonial administrator and naturalist. After a long residence in various colonial roles in Labuan, he became the first successful British administrator in the Malay Peninsula. His methods became models for future administrators. He made the first documented ascent...
that a market was indeed as the population of the town growth was drastically. Eventually the proposal was granted, in Sir Hugh Low’s journal written that, "the town has a good model for others, with a well maintained market for the public use".