Dou Nan Station Introduction
Dounan Station, the last post station built during the Japanese occupation, was established in the 36th year of the Meiji era, originally named Tarimur Station. Near the end of World War II, it was reconstructed into a brick station building, making it the last train station remodeled during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. In earlier times, sugar produced by the Huwei Sugar Factory was transported via the sugar railway to Dounan, and then distributed to ports for export along the South-North Line. Dounan Station, originally called Tarimur, was established with a simple wooden station building when the railway between Chiayi and Tarimur opened on December 15, 1903 (the 9th year of the Republic era). On October 1, 1920, the local government system reformed, and "Tarimur" was renamed "Dounan." In March 1945 (the 34th year of the Republic era), it was rebuilt into a palace-style station building with a slanted roof and brick structure. The main body of the station features a long space with sloped roofs at varying heights, creating a heavy eave in the hall, where the upper part consists of four slanted roofs, and the lower eaves protrude to form a porch. In the later period of Japanese rule, concrete-reinforced brick buildings became a common characteristic. Due to shortages of construction materials during the war, the quantity of buildings decreased, and the facade decorations tended to be simpler. As a result, the architectural style of Dounan Station is characterized by simplified decorations, clear geometric lines, and a prominent base. The building of Dounan Station is simple, greatly differing from architectural styles of other periods. The hall features a heavy eave design, with the upper part constructed of four slanted roofs, and the lower eaves protrude to form a porch, strongly expressing a Japanese style, making it worth preserving.
