Macalister Road, George Town
Macalister Road is a major thoroughfare in the city of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. The road stretches out of Magazine Circus next to Komtar in the city centre towards the leafier western edge of the city. The road was named after one of the Governors of Penang in the early 19th century. Originally a dirt track, the eastern section of Macalister Road has become urbanised as part of the city centre. Notably, the westernmost section of Macalister Road still retains a quieter, greener character, with mature Angsana trees providing shade along this particular section of the road. Etymology Macalister Road was named in honour of a Scotsman, Colonel Norman Macalister, who served as the Governor of the Prince of Wales Island (now Penang Island) between 1808 and 1810. History During the colonial era, the Europeans tended to build their residences at Macalister Road. Tall Angsana trees were planted along the westernmost section of Macalister Road by Charles Curtis, who was the curator of the Penang Botanic Gardens in the late 19th century. In addition to the Angsana trees, a baobab tree, planted by Captain Speedy, was planted at this section of Macalister Road as well and still remains at