Tamsui Octagonal Tower Introduction
The Octagonal Tower, completed in 1925, serves as the spiritual fortress of Tamkang High School and is a representative building from the Mackay era. Originally named the "Faith, Hope, and Love Tower," it was designed by Mr. K. Doawie, a mathematics teacher and missionary at the time. The architectural style is inspired by prestigious schools in the UK and the US, combining Western and Chinese elements with local Taiwanese architecture. The layout follows the form of a traditional Hsiao (三合院). The main tower, standing 60 feet tall, is flanked by two floors on either side, with classrooms gradually descending along the wings. The front classrooms end with a wing tower, and there is a balcony in the front, with corridors on both sides. Three towers surround a lush front yard, accessed through a palm-lined path leading to the main entrance. The main entrance features a Guanyin stone as a transom with intricately carved bird replacements and lanterns, highlighting its Chinese character. Above the transom of the Octagonal Tower, there is a seal script "Faith, Hope, and Love" by Wu Ting-fang, representing the school motto at its founding. Originally, the transom carried the inscription "Tamshui High School" in clerical script, but during the Japanese occupation, it was re-carved to read "Private Tamshui High School." Two rows of Alexander palm trees were also planted in front of the passageway, and a second floor was added to the eastern wing. After the merger of the boys' and girls' schools in 1956, a second floor was also added to the western wing, forming its current appearance. This charming building not only embodies an elegant academic atmosphere for Tamkang High School but also provides an ideal environment for inspiring and cultivating a sense of humanity. It has become one of the most romantic locations for film and television advertisements today.
