Longevity Bridge, South Broken Bridge Introduction
The Longteng Bridge, with its elegant and imposing remains, stands amidst the wild grass on the eastern side of the railway, about two kilometers south of Shengxing Station along the mountain railway from Miaoli Station. This historical site serves as a haunting reminder for older local residents of the devastating Central Taiwan Earthquake. The earthquake occurred on the morning of April 21, 1935, with the epicenter near Guandao Mountain, resulting in severe damage in the Sanyi area. The majestic Longteng Creek Bridge on the mountain railway was completely destroyed, and a new bridge was built to the west of the original site, leaving behind the arched bridge pillars standing under the burning sun and harsh weather as a memorial for future generations. This broken red-brick arch bridge was constructed around 1905 by Japanese engineers, with all the craftsmen brought in from Guangdong, China. The Japanese maintained strict quality control; the entire bridge was made solely of red bricks and cement without any steel reinforcement, yet its structure is remarkably tight and solid. In earlier years, when living conditions were difficult and transportation was inconvenient, local residents, witnessing the fallen red-brick bridge due to the earthquake, attempted to break off some bricks for use in building walls and houses, but they often found only a few intact pieces after a whole day's labor. This highlights the bridge's durability, which is one reason it has stood firm for over a century.
