Red Hair Well Introduction
Historical Tracks - Hongmao Well This well was dug by the Dutch 300 years ago, hence it is called "Lan Well." Due to the Dutch's red hair, it is also referred to as "Hongmao Well." In 1636, during the ninth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty, shortly after the Dutch East India Company subdued the Zhuoluo Mountain indigenous people, they stationed officials and pastors near the county office in the Qing Dynasty era to collect taxes from the plains indigenous peoples and Han peoples around Zhuoluo Mountain and to spread Christianity among the indigenous people. They dug this well to serve as a water source for daily life. During the Zheng period, General Wu Zhiwu stationed troops and cultivated land at Zhuoluo Mountain, setting up camp north of this well, and it was renovated. There are no records of further renovations after Qing rule. In the 27th year of the Qianlong era, the magistrate of Zhuoluo, Wei Keyu, noted that the water from this well was sweet and thus nominated "Lan Well Spring" as one of the eight scenic spots of Zhuoluo Mountain. During the late Qing Dynasty, a Jinshi from Chiayi, Xu Deqin, wrote about the water from this well: "It clears the heart’s troubles like jade, and its sweetness surpasses that of fine wine. Used with a silver kettle for tea, who can fetch the snow water in measure?" It was renowned for being the best in Chiayi. Literature states: "Hongmao Well is located to the left of the county office. It was opened by the Dutch and hence the name. It measures six feet square, about two zhang deep, and the water is cleaner than other wells. It is said that residents who drink from this well will not suffer from epidemics. During the Zheng period, there was a Wu Zhiwu stationed here who renovated it." "Lan Well Spring" was once listed as one of the eight scenic spots of Zhuoluo. In the 74th year of the Republic of China, the Ministry of the Interior temporarily classified this site as a third-level historic site for preservation. However, due to the dirty environment surrounding the well and the enclosure being renovated in the 59th year, it was removed from the list of historic sites. Despite this, Hongmao Well remains the oldest historical site in Chiayi City.
