Hongmao Well

Traces of History - Hongmao Well. This well was dug by the Dutch three hundred years ago, hence its name 'Lan Well' (Orchid Well). Because the Dutch had red hair, it was also called 'Hongmao Well' (Red Hair Well). In 1636 AD, the 9th year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty, shortly after the Dutch East India Company subdued the Zhurolan community, they stationed officials and missionaries near what would later become the county office during the Qing period. Their purpose was to collect taxes from the Pingpu people and Han Chinese in the Zhurolan area and to spread Christianity among the indigenous population. Consequently, they dug this well to serve as a water source for daily life. During the Zheng family's rule, General Wu Zhiwu garrisoned and established military agricultural settlements in Zhurolan, setting up camp north of this well and ordering its renovation. There are no records of further renovations after the Qing conquest. In the 27th year of Qianlong's reign (1762 AD), Wei Keyu, the magistrate of Zhuluo, praised the well's sweet and delicious water as the finest in all of Zhurolan, listing 'Lan Well's Sweet Spring' (蘭井泉甘) as one of the 'Eight Sights of Zhuluo'. In the late Qing period, Xu Deqin, a Jinshi (imperial scholar) from Jiayi, wrote about the well's water: 'It cleanses the heart like jade wine, its sweetness lingers on the tongue surpassing ambrosia. For brewing tea, it's best stored in a silver pot; who can fetch water as pure as melted snow?' He considered it the best of all wells in Jiayi. Historical documents record: 'The Hongmao Well is located to the left of the county office. It was dug by the Dutch, hence its name. It is six feet square and about twenty feet deep. Its spring water is sweeter and colder than other wells. It is said that residents who drink from this well do not suffer from plagues. During the Zheng family's rule, Wu Zhiwu, who garrisoned this place, renovated it.' 'Lan Well's Sweet Spring' was once listed as one of the Eight Sights of Zhuluo. Before the Ministry of Interior's historical site evaluation in the 74th year of the Republic (1985 AD), this site was temporarily listed as a third-class historical monument for preservation. During the evaluation, however, due to the unsanitary surrounding environment of the well and the well curb being a new addition from the 59th year (1970 AD), it was removed from the list of historical sites. Nevertheless, the Hongmao Well remains the oldest historical site in Chiayi City.