Remarkable journey into the modern age
THE Minhang Archives recently unveiled 30 photographs of old Xinzhuang Town, showing roads, railway stations, government buildings and factories — hubs of life in the 1950s and 60s that were swallowed up by modern development by the end of the century.
“Through these pictures, we hope to show new residents in Xinzhuang the history of the place they live, and we hope to give the older generation a nostalgic look at their roots,” said Chen Changqing, an official with the Minhang Archives.
Included in the historical treasure trove is a map of Xinzhuang sketched in 1983. It shows how the town relied on heavy industry and agriculture back then. The place names on the map, such as “the breeding poultry plant,” “agricultural machine factory” and “cotton trade center,” pinpoint sites that no longer exist.
Meanwhile, a picture of the old Shanghai County government building heralds the beginning of development in the town. Xinzhuang became the capital of the former Shanghai county in 1960, before the county was merged with the old Minhang District in 1992. After that, Xinzhuang thrived as a political and economic center of the district.
A series of the pictures traces the development of modern public transport in the town.
One photo of Qixin Road in the 1970s reveals how awkward the traffic network was in those days. This was the first main road in the town, and featured only one bus line linking Qibao Town and Xinzhuang.
The old Xinzhuang Railway Station survives in the memories of older Minhang residents. The station on the railway between Shanghai and Hangzhou was opened in 1909. Before its eventual demise as the town’s central traffic hub, the station deteriorated into a shabby state.
Today on the site, the Xinzhuang Metro Station is the face of modern public transport. It is served by Metro lines 1 and 5. The historical photos show construction of Metro Line 1 in the early 1990s.
Over the next six years, the current terminus will be expanded into a 700,000 square meter transport hub and commercial complex, turning the historical page to the 21st century.
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