History:
Sago lane got its name from the many sago
factories that used to locate there in the 1840s. Sago lane was also known
as to the Chinese as “Death Houses”
Sago Lane is a short stretch of road running
parallel to Sago Street. It being so close to Sago Street, it shares very
similar history as Sago Street. From being a prosperous sago flour
manufacturing centre in the mid-19th century, it was reduced to a prostitution
area in the early 20th century. However, the most defining feature of Sago Lane
was its death houses.
Those who believed to be living the last days of
their lives would be left at death houses to die. The death house consisted a
living space on the first level and a funeral parlour below. The whole of Sago
Lane had shops that sold paraphernalia used in funerals, such as paper models,
clothes, car and others. As Chinese funerals usually lasts through days and nights,
there are many food stalls found along Sago Lane, catering to the night
visitors and mourners. However, the banning of death houses in 1961 brought it
to an end.
