Red Hair Well Introduction
The Historical Trajectory - Hongmao Well was dug by the Dutch three hundred years ago, hence the name "Dutch Well." Due to the red hair of the Dutch, it is also called "Hongmao Well." In 1636, during the ninth year of the Ming Chongzhen era, shortly after the Dutch East India Company subdued the Zhuluoshan community, they stationed officials and ministers at the county government after the Qing Dynasty took over. Their purpose was to collect taxes from the Pingpu and Han people in the Zhuluoshan area and to spread Christianity among the indigenous people. Thus, they excavated this well to provide a water source necessary for daily life. During the Zheng period, General Wu Zhiwu garrisoned and established farmland in Zhuluoshan, setting up camp north of this well and restoring it. After the Qing took over, there are no records of repairs. In the 27th year of the Qianlong era, Wei Keyu, the magistrate of Zhuluo, praised the well for its sweet water, declaring it the best in all of Zhuluoshan, and listed "Lanjing Spring" as one of the eight scenic spots of Zhuluo. Before the Qing era ended, Xú Déqīn, a Jinshi from Chiayi, praised the spring water, stating, "It clears the mind from vexation like jade wine, sweet and better than superb liquor when brewed for tea, stored in a silver pot, who would fetch a snow's worth of water." Literature records: "Hongmao Well is located to the left of the county government. It was opened by the Dutch, hence its name. It is six feet wide and about two fathoms deep, with water that is sweeter and clearer than other wells. It is said that residents who drink from this well do not suffer from epidemics. During the Zheng period, there was a Wu Zhiwu guarding the area, who restored it." "Lanjing Spring" was once listed as one of the eight scenic spots of Zhuluo. In the 74th year of the Republic of China, before the Ministry of the Interior's evaluation of historical sites, this site was temporarily listed as a third-level historical site for preservation. During the evaluation, due to the dirty environment around the well and the railing being a new structure from the 59th year, it was removed from the list of historical sites. Nevertheless, Hongmao Well remains the earliest historical site in Chiayi City.
