The Town Padang (Field)

The District Office and Bell Tower

This place was Tawau’s original centre, an open area, with the sea on one side and whitewashed timber buildings on the other three – the District Office, police quarters, the government resthouse, none more than two storeys high.

Bell Tower (Belfry)

A tower (which still stands at the Town Field) was erected by the Japanese after World War I and hours were rung at intervals by the police guard. It was built by war prisoners in 1921 with funding from Japanese businessmen is a significant structure to the district since it is the only building that had survived World War Two.

Old Streets – Dunlop St., Chester St. and Man Cheong St.

Dunlop Street, 1953

Dunlop Street (named after A.R. Dunlop who was a District Officer) and Man Cheong Street (now part of Dunlop Street) are the oldest streets in Tawau. Man Cheong was a popular coffee shop. It still operates at Dunlop Street. Dunlop Street once was so close to the shore that the shops on one side backed out over the high water mark. Wooden shophouses which were built in the early 50’s line up Chester Street. Most shops were owned by Chinese and sold the foodstuffs and equipment needed in households and on smallholdings. There were some coffee shops and lodging houses.

The Old Mosque

A Bugis philanthropist built this mosque. The man had already passed away but his good deeds remain until today. People said that he used to carry money in sacks from the rental he collected from the nearby shops.

Empress Theatre

Empress Theatre

This cinema used to be the pride and joy of Tawau. Sadly, this theatre no longer operates and had been turned into shops that sell clothes and bags, a barber shop and internet cafe.

Batu Tinagat Lighthouse

Taken in 1947

This lighthouse was built in 1916 and still being used to guides ships into Tawau until today. It is about 9 m (30 ft) tall and built using round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. The location is about 10km to the east of Tawau town.