There was an impetus in 19th century Singapore to develop the areas outside the town into agricultural oases, and a number of adventurous European and Chinese planters ventured into the deep recesses and coastal areas of the island to set up coconut, gambier, pepper and nutmeg plantations. The coastal areas of Tanjong Katong were particularly suitable for the coconut palm, a plant that symbolised idyllic island life. The main coconut plantation owners included J.W. Angus who had 120 hectares (296 acres) in Bedok, and Thomas Dunman, whose Grove Estate in Katong contained about 160 hectares (395 acres). Coconut and coconut oil were used extensively in Asian cooking, and in 19th century Singapore, coconut oil was used for street lighting.
