Yilan Governance Memorial Hall
The Yilan Governance History Memorial Hall, also known as the Former Yilan County Magistrate’s Residence, is located in Nanmen Village, Yilan City, Taiwan. This historical building features a hybrid Japanese-Western architectural style and served as the official residence of Yilan’s local governors from 1906 to 1997. Today, it is preserved as a historic site and showcases the development of local governance in Yilan.
The building covers a total area of 243.65 square meters, comprising three main structures. Its exterior shows distinct Japanese features, such as rainboard siding and curved roof tiles, matching the style of neighboring dormitories. The left wing is believed to be the oldest, constructed with a brick-wood framework and lime-coated walls to prevent fires—a style known as kura-zukuri, common in Japan’s Edo period. The interior reception space features thick brick walls, carved ceilings, and narrow windows, creating a formal atmosphere. It now functions as a presentation and control room.
The central building retains a traditional doma (earthen-floored entryway), with a separate entrance for daily use. Materials include hinoki cypress and cedar, partly sourced from Taipingshan Forestry Station, with joints constructed using traditional Japanese mortise-and-tenon techniques. Exhibits cover diverse topics, such as “The Birth of Yilan County,” profiles of past leaders, land management, economic development, and historical figures represented in shrine-like displays modeled after Zhao Ying Temple.
The rear right building, added later, is preserved in its original form with a ceiling cutout revealing the roof structure—an informative feature for architecture enthusiasts.
Although it remained the official residence after WWII, not all county magistrates lived there. The first elected magistrate, Lu Zan-xiang, continued living in his hometown, while Magistrate Chen Ding-nan refused to renovate despite leaks and poor conditions. Magistrate You Si-kun lived there due to its proximity, though he declined feng shui recommendations such as digging a pond. Rumors of bad feng shui circulated locally, and during renovations, a mysterious dog carcass was discovered beneath the floor, adding an air of mystique.
