Chiayi Lumber Factory Introduction
Built in the third year of the Taisho era (1914), it was the largest publicly operated timber industrial area in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. This facility was responsible for storing timber felled from Alishan and played a crucial role in processing wood into "lumber," with its production scale once touted as the largest in the Orient. The planning of the sawmill included a power room, sawdust room, offices, machinery workshop, drying room, and handcraft workshop. Notably, the power room on the left side of the entrance is the first steel-reinforced concrete structure in Chiayi and also the earliest thermal power plant in the city. A century ago, Chiayi was renowned for its mechanized lumber industry, which relied on electric power for mechanical operations. At that time, only a few areas in Taiwan had electricity supply; the Chiayi Electric Light Company was established in 1911 to provide streetlights and power for some households using a gas engine. However, the sawmill's needs for lumber processing, large and small saw tables, and portable cable cranes required even more electricity, prompting the establishment of the power room for self-generation. Adjacent to the machinery workshop, the power room reflects the historical changes in the spatial area, providing insights into the rise and fall of the timber industry over the past century. The first-generation sawmill began operation in 1914, with part of the building consisting of three floors and the remaining two floors in reinforced concrete, outfitted with the most advanced machinery imported from the United States, demonstrating the sawmill's grandeur and high efficiency. At that time, the Japanese imperial family and various officials often visited for observation and pilgrimage, making it a popular site, unfortunately destroyed by a major earthquake in 1941. The second-generation sawmill was built after the earthquake as a large-span wooden structure entirely made from Alishan cypress, characterized by its unique design. With changes in government forestry policies and the rise of conservation awareness, the Alishan Forest Area ceased logging. The Chiayi lumber industry once propelled the city into becoming a national center for lumber production and sales, earning the title "Wood City." Although its former glory has faded, the factory's structure remains intact, holding cultural heritage value. The Chiayi Forest District Office plans to develop an "Alishan Forestry Village," connecting the Huai Yi Forest Village, Chiayi Depot Park, the sawmill, and the Song of the Forest. This initiative aims to create a tourism site infused with local historical and cultural characteristics while promoting the development of the wood culture tourism industry.
