The Swiss arrived as early as the late 19th century as merchants, watchmakers and later joined the hotel industry. The Swiss Club was established as the Swiss Rifle Shooting Club of Singapore in 1871 at a valley near Balestier Road. However, after 30 years there, it was discovered that the land was actually part of famous Chinese businessman, Whampoa's Bendemeer Estate when bullets ripped some orchids in Whampoa's garden! Thus, in 1901, a new club property was bought on Bukit Tinggi, sharing the hill with some French Missionaries. However in 1909, the clubhouse and shooting range burnt down and in 1926, a new clubhouse was built which remains to date. Swiss Club Road was built through the surrounding tapioca and coffee estate owned by Leopold Chasseriau, a French-Mauritian sugar and tapioca plantation owner well-known for employing workers of multiple nationalities. Later, part of the Chasseriau Estate was bought by the Municipality for the construction of MacRitchie Reservoir. During the Battle of Bukit Timah, the Japanese Army occupied Bukit Tinggi and used it as their headquarters to direct the last phase of the Battle of Singapore. While many Swiss fled to Java, Australia and India during the war, a number stayed behind and continued going to the Club for its swimming pool. During the Japanese Occupation, the Swiss Club was taken over by the Japanese Army and those who remained learned to mix with the Asian population who extended their friendship freely. In place of clubs and hotels which had played an important role in pre-war Singapore, they visited Chinese coffee shops instead.