Race Course Road

Race Course Road

The Race Course Road was named after a race course was built in the early 1840s at what is now known as Farrer Park. The first bi-annual racing season was held in 1843. Drawn by the Race Course, some European families moved into the neighbourhood. Dunlop, Cuff, Dickson and Clive Streets bear the names of the families who once used these streets as private access lanes.

Later, cattle trading developed into the main economic activity of the area. This drew many Indians who were involved in the cattle and dairy trade as businessowners and labourers, to start settling in the area. Some Europeans joined the industry. Belilios Street and Desker Street were named, respectively, after I. R. Belilios, a cattle trader, and Andre Desker, the owner of the largest slaughter house and butchery. Buffalo Road and Kerbau Road (“kerbau” is Malay for “buffalo”) are also reminders of cattle trading in the area.