Untold History : Unfortunate Case of Istana Wooden York

UNFORTUNATE CASE OF ISTANA WOODEN YORK

 

 

 

Istana “Wooden York” is the substitute name choosen for original "Woodneuk" situated not far from Tyersall Palace.

It was recorded in Dato' Muhammad Said's Chronicle that:

 

 

Istana Wooden York was built in the late 1902's by HH Ibrahim

  

Istana Woodnuek was built in the late 1870's by HH Abu Bakar for his wife Sultana Fatimah, a Turkish princess given by Ottoman Empire. 

Simple reason why Sultana Fatimah did'nt reside in Istana Besar... ;- if your Boss giving you a girl as a present to bring back, do you bring her home??? Hehehee

 

 

Most people assumed that :

1. Istana Wooden York was BUILT IN 1935 to 'replace' Tyersall Palace which has been destroyed by fire in 1905.  It took them 30's to rebuilt??
 
2. Istana Wooden York compund was belong to William Napier

Those are incorrect.

1. The 1st Istana called "Woodneuk" was built for Sultana Fatima, as temporary residence until completion of Tyersall Palace. Possibly built arond 1870's BEFORE the Tyersall Palace 
 
2. Captain R. Ross was the owner of the original Istana Woodneuk, not William Napier

The Original Istana Woodneuk (one that belong to Sultana Fatima) was reportedly damage by fire in 1925 before replaced by a new structure known as "Istana Wooden York" in 1935.

  

However, most people was used to call it "Woodneuk" owed to its existence for more 100 years.  It is the reason why its new name (Wooden York) was not popularized except few in Johor State Government at that time. 

  

Confuse??? again???

 

Istana Wooden York (2nd) was also reported damage by fire during heavy bombing by Japanese invader.  It was renovated for Malcolm McDonald in 1945 after he was evicted from Istana Bukit Serene by HH Ibrahim. 

 

 

 

 

 

After the Malayan independent, Istana Wooden York was seldom used by HH Ibrahim, which then prefer to stay at Istana Pasir Pelangi. 

Due to unknown reason, HH Ismail and HH Mahmud Iskandar also reluctant to stay at Wooden York. 

 

From 1957 to 1986, the compound was upkept by assistant emplyed by Istana of Johore.  If I am not mistaken, his name was Hj. Sulaiman, which he live with his family not far from Istana Wooden York.  .

 

 

After his demised in 2004, Istana Wooden York was left unkept, This Istana was reportedly burnt  for a 3rd time by drug addicts  Current condition was beyond repair. 

 

  

 

Now, you relate all the fire related cases at Tyersall within 150 years :

1.  1890 ; destroyed Tyersall House
2.  1905 ; destroyed Grand Ballroom of Tyersall Palace
3.  1925 ; destroyed original Istana Woodneuk
4.  1942 ; damaging Istana Woodneuk
5.  2006 ; destroyed Istana Woodneuk

Eerie coincidences isn't it???