Penang Then And Now: 35 Photos That Show How Much Has Evolved In The Past Century
From one of the region's first trading ports to home of a UNESCO heritage site, Penang manages to preserve its old-world charm despite having had massive changes in its landscape.
Cover image via Jesus Goh's Facebook / WiLL1. Campbell Street
Campbell Street in the early 20th century photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.111604518865197.15322.100000469486526&type=3).
Campbell Street in 1975 photo from [RS Murthi's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/rsmurthi/media_set?set=a.10207090174436616.1073741862.1348806489&type=3).
Campbell Street in 2014 photo by [David Tan via The Star Online](http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/SME/2014/03/31/Hospitality-sector-hots-up-Penang-set-to-see-six-new-hotels-in-a-span-of-three-years/?style=biz).
2. Hutton Lane
Hutton Lane in 1971 photo by [williewonker via Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/87791108@N00/139654765/in/album-72057594105206748/).
Hutton Lane in 2013 photo by [kayes via PenangTalk](http://www.penangtalk.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=1649).
3. Chulia Street
Image via Jamil Othman's Facebook / WiLL
Chulia Street in the early 20th century photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=172092656149716&set=a.111604518865197.15322.100000469486526&type=3&theater).
Chulia Street in 2012 photo by [WiLL](https://travel2penang.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/chulia-street/).
4. Boston Bar, a popular bar in the '50s and '60s at the junction of Penang Road and Prangin Road
Boston Bar photos by [Anthony E. Catherall](http://11indepfdsqn.blogspot.my/2014/10/malaya-of-yesterday-malaysia-of-today.html).
Image via Anthony E. Catherall
5. Chowrasta Market from the Penang Road entrance
Chowrasta Market in 1910 photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.111604518865197.15322.100000469486526&type=3).
Chowrasta Market in the 1950s photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=695166230509020&set=a.175063145852667.47862.100000469486526&type=3&theater).
Chowrasta Market in the 1960s photo from [Penang Monthly](http://penangmonthly.com/local-elections-as-the-foundation-of-democracy.php).
Chowrasta Market in 2010 photo from [Panoromio](http://www.panoramio.com/photo/45312310).
6. KOMTAR
KOMTAR under construction in the early 1980s photos from [Jesus Goh's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JesusGoh/media_set?set=a.2187245058669.62414.1773345932&type=3).
KOMTAR in 2011 photo by [WiLL](https://travel2penang.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/komtar-tower/).
Image via Jesus Goh's Facebook / WiLL
7. Craven Cafe in Jalan Dato Keramat
Craven Cafe in 1953 photo from [Jamal Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.770271949665114.1073741828.100000469486526&type=3).
Craven Cafe in 1991 photo by [williewonker via Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/87791108@N00/180563032).
Craven Cafe in 2008 photo by [frossonice via BlogSpot](http://frossonice.blogspot.my/2008/07/sesudah-reunion-part-3_30.html).
8. Queen's Theatre and later, Old Cathay Theatre along Penang Road is now a Mydin wholesale emporium
Queen's Theatre in the 1930s and Cathay Theatre in the 1980s photos from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.111604518865197.15322.100000469486526&type=3).
Mydin Wholesale Emporium in 2012 photo from [Asambackpacker01's blog](https://asambackpacker01.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/penang-2-world-heritage/).
9. Odeon Theatre on Penang Road
Odeon Theatre in 1957 photo from [Awesome Penang](http://www.awesomepenang.com/home/love-penang-heritage-2-the-story/).
Odeon Theatre in the 1990s photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](
Iswaria Veenai Odeon in the early 2000s from [Cinema Online](http://www.cinema.com.my/Articles/News_Details.aspx?search=2014.n_odeonpenangclosure_20566).
PG Odeon in 2009 photo from [goldenshahab via Panoromio](http://www.worldtravelserver.com/travel/en/malaysia/airport_butterworth_airport/photo_21617087-cinema-odeon-penang-malaysia-5.html).
Odeon: The Visitor Gallery in 2015 photo from [PenangLang](http://www.penanglang.my/150715-024).
10. Majestic Theatre at the corner between Khoo Sian Ewe Road and Phee Choon Road
Majestic Theatre in 1990 photos from [The Southeast Asian Movie Theater Project](http://seatheater.blogspot.my/2014_06_01_archive.html).
Abandoned Majestic Theatre building in 2009 photo by [Sean Soon Photography via Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/32285562@N08/3236192252).
Restored Majestic Theatre building – to be used as a modern theatre for performances and exhibitions – in 2014 photo by [David Tan via The Star Online](http://www.starproperty.my/index.php/articles/property-news/conservation-of-an-old-building/).
11. The Rex Cinema building in Burmah Road has been taken over by Mekio Home Furnishing
Rex Theatre in 1990 photo from [The Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project](http://seatheater.blogspot.my/2014_06_01_archive.html).
Mekio Home Furnishing in 2012 photo by [Timothy Tye](http://www.penang-traveltips.com/mekio-home-furnishing.htm).
12. Burmah Road
Burmah Road in 1981 photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=179999182025730&set=a.175063145852667.47862.100000469486526&type=1&permPage=1).
Burmah Road in 1981 photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.770271949665114.1073741828.100000469486526&type=3).
Burmah Road in 2014 photo by [Hasnoor Hussain via The Malaysian Insider](http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/gallery/view/malaysia-50).
13. From Penang Race Course to St. George's Girls' School in Macalister Road
Penang Race Course in the early 20th century photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=446383628720616&set=a.175063145852667.47862.100000469486526&type=1&permPage=1).
St. George's Girls' School in the 1950s photo from [Fun Penang via Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/75857574944726556/).
St. George's Girls' School in 2012 photo from [Lisan al-Din via BlogSpot](http://lisanaldin.blogspot.my/2012/03/write-right-from-heart.html).
14. Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Chayamangkalaram) at Lorong Burma, Pulau Tikus
Wat Chayamangkalaram photo in 1969 by [willie wonker via Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/87791108@N00/2503903851/in/album-72057594105206748/).
Wat Chayamangkalaram photo in 2013 from [Wonderful Malaysia](http://www.wonderfulmalaysia.com/attractions/wat-chayamangkalaram-thai-buddhist-temple.htm).
15. Homestead Mansion, located along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, now houses the campus of Wawasan Open University
Homestead Mansion photo in 1978 by [williewonker via Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/87791108@N00/3078652885/in/album-72057594105206748/).
Wawasan Open University photo in 2011 by [Henry M. Trotter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wawasan_Open_University#/media/File:Wawasan_Open_University.jpg).
16. Pitt Street, where Masjid Kapitan Keling is located
Masjid Kapitan Keling in 1953 photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.770271949665114.1073741828.100000469486526&type=3)
Masjid Kapitan Keling in 1978 photo from [RS Murthi's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207174531705495&set=a.10207090174436616.1073741862.1348806489&type=3&theater)
Masjid Kapitan Keling in 2014 photo by [Dean Wickham](http://www.theroadtoanywhere.com/kapitan-keling-mosque-george-town-penang-malaysia/).
17. E&O Hotel at Lebuh Farquhar
E&O Hotel photo in 1900s by [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.111604518865197.15322.100000469486526&type=3).
E&O Hotel photo in 1991 by [williewonker via Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/87791108@N00/4699238486/in/album-72057594105206748/).
E&O Hotel photo in 1991 by [Wrinkled Chiffon](http://www.wrinkledchiffon.com/2011/10/travel-malaysia-penang.html).
18. St Xavier's Institution at Lebuh Farquhar
St. Xavier's Institution in 1857 and 1940 photos from the [Archive of St. Xavier's Insitution](http://www.penang-traveltips.com/st-xaviers-institution.htm).
St. Xavier's Institution in 2012 photo by [WiLL](https://travel2penang.wordpress.com/2012/12/15/penang-isle-st-xaviers-institution/sxi01/).
19. Penang Supreme Court at Light Street
Supreme Court in the early 20th century photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=169258756433106&set=a.111604518865197.15322.100000469486526&type=3&theater).
Supreme Court in the present day photo from [Asia Explorers](http://www.tims-penang-traveltips.com/supreme-court.htm).
Image via Jamil Othman's Facebook / Asia Explorers
20. Penang City Hall at Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, overlooking Padang Kota Lama
Penang City Hall in 1906 photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.111604518865197.15322.100000469486526&type=3).
Penang City Hall in 2011 photo from [Wikimedia Commons](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%82%B1%E5%96%84%E4%BD%91#/media/File:Penang_City_Hall.jpg).
21. Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower (Jubilee Clock Tower) and roundabout at the junction of Light Street and Beach Street
Roundabout in 1968 photo from [RS Murthi's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/rsmurthi/media_set?set=a.10207090174436616.1073741862.1348806489&type=3).
Clock Tower and roundabout in 2004 photo by [Akmal Hizam](http://akmalwallpapers.blogspot.my/2006/02/clock-tower-in-penang.html).
Clock Tower and roundabout in 2014 photo from [Travels With My Wife](https://travelswithmywife.wordpress.com/2014/02/09/pukka-penang/).
22. Weld Quay
Weld Quay in the early 20th century photo from [Jesus Goh's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2187004492655&set=a.2187245058669.62414.1773345932&type=3&theater).
Weld Quay in the 1960s photo from [Jamal Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.770271949665114.1073741828.100000469486526&type=3).
Weld Quay in the present day photo from [Around Penang Tips](http://www.aroundpenangtips.com/penang-georgetown/weldquay.php).
23. Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth (formerly known as Mitchell Pier)
Mitchell Pier in the early 20th century photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=174186859273629&set=a.111604518865197.15322.100000469486526&type=3&theater).
Mitchell Pier in 1964 photo from [RS Murthi's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207090206197410&set=a.10207090174436616.1073741862.1348806489&type=3&theater).
Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in 2012 photo by [Mustafa Ahmad via The Star Online](http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=%2F2012%2F1%2F28%2Fnorth%2F10547930&sec=north).
24. Beach Street
Beach Street in the early 20th century from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.111604518865197.15322.100000469486526&type=3).
Beach Street in 2012 photo by [the-bowies via Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/the-bowies/9194271480/in/photostream/).
25. Ban Hin Lee Bank, later Southern Bank on Beach Street, now houses CIMB Bank
Ban Hin Lee Bank in the 1930s photo from [ssquah via BlogSpot](http://ssquah.blogspot.my/2007/09/ban-hin-lee-bank-would-be-72-years-old.html).
Southern Bank in the 2000s photo from [Wikimedia Commons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beach_Street_Penang_Dec_2006_004.jpg)
CIMB Bank in 2013 photo from [Wong Chun Wai via The Star Online](http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/09/14/Grand-Old-Man-of-Penang/).
26. Shanghai Hotel at Gurney Drive, now No. 1 Gurney Condominiums
Shanghai Hotel photo in the 1960s from [Tan Khai Beng's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/tan.beng.71/posts/772069019515892).
Gurney Drive No. 1 Condominium photo from [Properties188](http://www.properties188.com/penang-persiaran-gurney-1pg.htm).
Image via Tan Khai Beng's Facebook / Properties188
27. Gurney Drive
Gurney Drive in the early 20th century, 1930, 1970s, and 1990s from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=170994446259537&set=a.111604518865197.15322.100000469486526&type=3&theater).
Gurney Drive in
Gurney Drive in 2010 photo by [WiLL](https://travel2penang.wordpress.com/2010/09/05/gurney-drive-penang/)
Image via Jamil Othman's Facebook
28. Casuarina Hotel, presently Hard Rock Hotel
Casuarina Hotel in 1974 photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=693157207376589&set=a.175063145852667.47862.100000469486526&type=1&permPage=1).
Hard Rock Hotel in the present day photo from [Agoda](http://www.agoda.com/hard-rock-hotel-penang/hotel/penang-my.html).
Image via Jamil Othman's Facebook / Agoda
29. Jelutong Road
Jelutong Road in the early 20th century from [Wong Chun Wai](http://wongchunwai.com/2013/09/jelutong-home-to-a-thriving-coastal-village/).
Jelutong Road in 2013 photo by [Zhafaran Nasib](http://wongchunwai.com/2013/09/jelutong-home-to-a-thriving-coastal-village/).
Image via Wong Chun Wai / Zhafaran Nasib
30. Penang Free School at Jalan Masjid Negeri
Penang Free School in the 1930s photo from [royalsportsclub via Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/82757070@N00/4316087563).
Penang Free School in 2005 photo by [Timothy Tye](http://www.penang-traveltips.com/penang-free-school.htm).
31. Air Itam Village, with Kek Lok Si Temple in the background
Air Itam Village in 1950s/1960s photo from [Delcampe.net](http://www.delcampe.net/page/item/id,231266848,var,Ayer-Itam-Village-Penang-Malaysia-50-60s,language,E.html).
Air Itam Village in 2015 photo from [YesNomads](http://yesnomads.com/article-visit-to-the-kek-lok-si-temple-in-penang-and-display-of-lights-during-chinese-new-year-period-things-to-do-in-penang-malaysia/).
Image via Delcampe.net / Yes Nomads
32. Chung Ling High School in Air Itam
Chung Ling High School in the 1960s photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=179375975421384&set=a.175063145852667.47862.100000469486526&type=1&permPage=1).
Chung Ling High School in 2010 photo from [journey26.com](http://journey26.com/blog/2010/02/13/penang-malaysia-2/).
Image via Jamil Othman's Facebook / journey26.com
33. Penang Hill Base Station
Penang Hill Base Station in 1964 photo from [RS Murthi's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207093408717471&set=a.10207090174436616.1073741862.1348806489&type=1&permPage=1).
Penang Hill Base Station in 2012 photo from [Zakir Hossain via Panoromio](http://www.panoramio.com/photo/73127231).
Penang Hill Base Station in 2014 photo from [Akrosdayunibers](http://www.akrosdayunibers.com/asia/malaysia-travel-blog-penang-visiting-georgetown-cat-cafe-and-penang-hill).
34. Penang International Airport, formerly known as Bayan Lepas International Airport
Penang Airport in the 1970s photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jamil.othman.5/media_set?set=a.770271949665114.1073741828.100000469486526&type=3).
Penang Airport in 2013 photo from [Georgetown Penang Heritage Site](http://georgetown-penang.com/penang-holidays/penang-airport/).
35. Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas
Snake Temple in the 1960s photo from [Jamil Othman's Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=179377488754566&set=a.175063145852667.47862.100000469486526&type=1&permPage=1).
Snake Temple in the 1970s photo from [Rifle Range Boy](http://asokan63.blogspot.my/2012/05/old-pictures-of-old-penang.html).
Snake Temple in 2013 photo from [Sacchan's](https://kaichousama.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/cny-day-3-penang-snake-temple/).

