History of Jalan Kayu

There is plenty of empty land in this district, hinting at what pre-developed Singapore might have looked like. Jalan Kayu provides rest for eyes that are tired at looking at high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, for the few buildings that stand here are low-rise shophouses, landed property and farmhouses. These buildings clump together in sparse, disparate clusters, enabling Jalan Kayu to escape Singapore 's notoriety as a concrete jungle.HistoryThe phrase Jalan Kayu literally means “wooden road” in Malay, a name that was derived from the abundance of firewood in the area. The road itself was constructed in 1928 by the British Royal Air Force, which needed access to the rest of Singapore from its camp in Seletar. The district used to be filled with British army personnel, who would go to Jalan Kayu for dinner or shopping. Up till the 1960s, the Jalan Kayu (the road) was lined with fruits and vegetable sellers. The area also used to be abundant with rubber plantations.FarmsToday, Jalan Kayu predominantly comprises high-tech farms. There are a few mushroom farms here, which grow pesticide-free organic mushrooms. Examples are Mycofarm and Golden Mushroom Enterprises. There is also a cluster of fish farms and aquariums, such as Sanyo Aquarium and Golden Tropical Fish. These aquariums deal mostly in freshwater fish, catering to both wholesale and retail customers. There are also a number of gardening and landscaping services in the area.Residences and FacilitiesTo most Singaporeans, Jalan Kayu is best known for its roti prata. There are, however, other things to do in the district besides eat, eat and eat. There are many small retail outlets surrounding the landed property and condominiums here. Chatsworth Kindergarten, a reputable kindergarten, is located in this district.Also, pet owners can now leave their homes in peace! The Animal Resort is in Jalan Kayu, a haven for pets whose owners have to leave for some time. While they are gone, they can leave their pets in this pet hotel.