As spring has come to Shanghai, many people go to the park for a bit of fresh air. One of the city’s favorite is Zhong Shan Park, but many people don’t know it has been there for more than a century, originally under the name of Jessfield Park.
Although Shanghai has changed a lot since 1935, the above Jessfield park is still recognisable on today’s Shanghai map. Saint-John University on it’s North side is also still there. Originally used as a military field, this plot of land was turned into a park in 1914.
The park was named Jessfield Park, it was located at the end of Jessfield road (today Wan hang du lu / 万航渡路). Just like the Bund garden, it was first restricted to foreigners, but became open to all people from 1928.
The park was of English style with grass, trees and ponds. Regular concerts from the municipal took place in the park. Long before electric amplification, sound of the band was amplified by a bankshell, a special structure designed to amplify sound. Those were very popular in the 1920s and 1930s, before the rise of electric sound amplification. The original can be seen on the top righ corner of above picture. It is still standing today, as shown on picture below. Designed in art deco style, it probably dates from the late 1920s or early 1930s.
Few people noweadays seem realise what the original purpose of this construction was. Next to the main lawn of the park, stands of little pergola surrounded by statues.
This construction is the original that was completed in 1935. It survived turmoils of history very well.
As the city expanded Westward, houses where built around the park. The tallest apartment building then was West Garden apartments. The building from 1928 was designed by Russian architect Alexander Yaron.
This particular building still stands today, although it is now surrounded by much taller towers.
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My maternal grandfather Walter Kerr was Superintendent of Parks SMC from the late 1920s to 1940. He often told me about Jessfield Park and if the changes that were made during the time he was Superintendent. I believe he was the driving force to ensure the park was enjoyed by all citizens not just expats living in Shanghai. In HK he designed the botanical garden at Kadoorie Farm. He and Sir Horace Kadoorie were best friends. Thanks for posting this piece. Most interesting
Thanks. That would be a great material for a post!
Wonderful stuff as usual. What a treasure trove of history is out there waiting to be shared!