The Abandoned Hermitage Tea Estate

The Hermitage Tea Estate at Bukit Arang Para
was first planted from around 1889
and was also used as a cool retreat by British colonist
in Perak as an escape from the heat of the lowlands until
it was abandoned sometime after 1932.
The name Arang Para came from a Victorian wood stove
left abandoned on the hill which was most probably used
as a fireplace to get through the cold nights
or for water heating.

 

a 1914 map of the place from National Archives of Singapore

1945 Map from University of Texas Library



a similar Victorian Parlor Stove(photo from Google) like the one left abandoned on the hill above
and below a picture of how the same stove can be used as a water heater.




Kuala Kangsar in 1889....the 7 acres Hermitage Estate was leased to four Chinese men...
(all Newspaper cuttings from National Library Board Singapore)



1890



Location of the 3,600 feet high Hermitage bungalow



Perak Tea in 1891



Unremunerative(Unprofitable) Tea growing in Perak 1892



Retrenchment Commission suggest the closure of all hill stations except Fraser's Hill and Cameron Highlands in 1932 so it is good bye to Bukit Kutu,Bukit Arang Para(The Hermitage),Maxwell Hill
(if it doesn't generate enough revenue) and Negeri Sembilan's Hill Bungalow at Gunung Angsi






Hermitage Tea Estate

www.orangperak.com