If you've been paying attention to this blog at all you'd know that I enjoy exploring abandoned places of historical significance or unique architecture. While around Taiwan there are many such places, in Taipei there are not many left and those that are left have either been renovated or torn down.
One rather well known site was the old mayor of Neihu's home. Neihu is a north eastern district of Taipei. Back during the Japanese rule of Taiwan this house was built 1917. A Chinese man was chosen by the Japanese to be the mayor. His name was Kuo Hua-Jang. Mr. Kuo was the descendent of Guo Ziyi who was famous general during the Tang dynasty. And of course as it seems happens to all famous historical Chinese figures, after his death he was made a god.
This building eventually became abandoned and fell into disrepair. The surrounding forest seeming eating the building. If you want to see some great shots put in "neihu mayor's house" into google and a few will come up. Unfortunately by the time i got there it was as you see it now.
It has been completely renovated by the World Kuo Family Association. They basically are an association just for anybody named Guo/Kuo who all consider themselves descendents of Guo Ziyi. So much so that this building is now named as a memorial to Guo Ziyi. While owned and run by the government, the Kuo association not only donated money but provided the architect who was in charge of the renovation.
I'll let you take a wild guess as to what his family name is.
I had been living/working in Taipei several years, reading the 2 English language papers every day, always interested in hearing about interesting historical and cultural sites. Found a book that described this site, so went out to have a look. It was in a completely un-restored state. Nobody around there. The stairs and upper floors were rotten and broken, so I didn't look around much inside. I recall that the ground in front was covered with a couple of feet of grass and weeds, and there were LOTS of butterflies out front. In your photo, it looks like it's been paved.
I think I understand and agree with you-- when I happen onto a place that has for whatever reason been allowed to deteriorate over many decades, it is quite interesting to be able to see it and get some insights into how it was built, used and then left.
If you find a place, building, etc. that has been "restored", then what you mainly see is the choices made by the restorer.
Sorry for the late reply, as it's been ages since i've been on here.
But wow, i'm quite jealous that you got to see it back then. I'm still kicking myself as for about a year i was working on a project in the area, but never knew this place was there. wasn't until years later that i found out about it, and it was already restored.
Thanks for sharing the pic. i think yours is the first one that comes up when people search for it. so thanks for letting people get a glimpse at what it was like before the restoration!
October 16th, 2016
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https://flic.kr/p/CP75K
I had been living/working in Taipei several years, reading the 2 English language papers every day, always interested in hearing about interesting historical and cultural sites. Found a book that described this site, so went out to have a look. It was in a completely un-restored state. Nobody around there. The stairs and upper floors were rotten and broken, so I didn't look around much inside. I recall that the ground in front was covered with a couple of feet of grass and weeds, and there were LOTS of butterflies out front. In your photo, it looks like it's been paved.
I think I understand and agree with you-- when I happen onto a place that has for whatever reason been allowed to deteriorate over many decades, it is quite interesting to be able to see it and get some insights into how it was built, used and then left.
If you find a place, building, etc. that has been "restored", then what you mainly see is the choices made by the restorer.
But wow, i'm quite jealous that you got to see it back then. I'm still kicking myself as for about a year i was working on a project in the area, but never knew this place was there. wasn't until years later that i found out about it, and it was already restored.
Thanks for sharing the pic. i think yours is the first one that comes up when people search for it. so thanks for letting people get a glimpse at what it was like before the restoration!