Bingwu Earthquake Memorial Monument Introduction
The Trajectory of Post-Disaster Reconstruction – Taiwan frequently experiences earthquakes, and during the Japanese occupation, multiple significant earthquakes occurred. On March 17, 1906, at six o'clock in the morning, a major earthquake struck (the total shaking duration lasted over four minutes), with its epicenter located between Minxiong and Meishan. There were many casualties among people and livestock, and buildings were severely damaged. Continuous aftershocks led to the deaths of over 1,200 people, and most buildings in Chiayi City were destroyed by the earthquake. After the disaster, the authorities took the opportunity to plan a city rerouting scheme, which laid the foundation for modern Chiayi City. A stone tablet known as the "Earthquake Memorial" was erected to commemorate the event, potentially making it the first earthquake memorial in Taiwan, with text written by Zhuang Borong. After World War II, it was renamed the "Youth Recreation Center," and the Cultural Bureau restored it in March 2001. Site Construction: Erected: Meiji 39 (1906) Restored: March, 2001.
