In olden times, Teynampet was a serene, green area named after the "Thennam" (coconut) groves that once dominated the landscape. Originally a rural, residential suburb known for large bungalows, it evolved into a fashionable residential locality and later a bustling commercial hub, anchored by landmarks like the 1851 Botanical Garden (later Woodlands Drive-in) and the 19th-century Cenotaph.
Key Aspects of Old Teynampet:
Green Surroundings: Known for extensive coconut groves and large sprawling estates.
Residential Haven: Popular among senior government officials, featuring notable residences like Blacker’s Gardens.
Key Landmarks: Home to the Agri-Horticultural Society's botanical garden (founded 1851), which later became the famous Woodlands Drive-in Hotel in 1962.
Transportation & Layout: The Cenotaph Road was named after a monument to Lord Cornwallis. The area saw major changes with the draining of the Long Tank in the 1920s to make way for T. Nagar.
Cultural & Social Life: The area was a fashionable place for viewing regattas on the Long Tank and hosting prestigious city events, according to Madras Musings.
It was considered a picturesque area with canopies of trees well into the 1960s before high-density development and apartments took over, notes Historian V Sriram.