Whitfield Barracks - History

History

In the 1890s, the Barracks were first built for the British Indian garrisons. Twenty five barrack blocks were built by 1906; the Barracks were developed in subsequent years. By 1910, there had been 85 barrack buildings constructed. A mosque was also built at the southeastern corner of the site for worship by the garrison.

It belonged to the British Military Force when Hong Kong was under British rule. The premises was later returned to the Government of Hong Kong in 1967. In 1970, the Urban Council redeveloped the site into the Kowloon Park.

The Government ignited some controversy when it made proposals in 1982 for a strip of retail premises fronting Nathan Road included to be carved into the hill of Kowloon Park. The move was opposed by the Urban Council, as well as the Moslem community, whose mosque was close by.

Read more about this topic:  Whitfield Barracks

Famous quotes containing the word history:

    He wrote in prison, not a History of the World, like Raleigh, but an American book which I think will live longer than that. I do not know of such words, uttered under such circumstances, and so copiously withal, in Roman or English or any history.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    In every election in American history both parties have their clichés. The party that has the clichés that ring true wins.
    Newt Gingrich (b. 1943)

    Only the history of free peoples is worth our attention; the history of men under a despotism is merely a collection of anecdotes.
    —Sébastien-Roch Nicolas De Chamfort (1741–1794)