Yifangju Historical House Introduction
Yifangju Ancient Residence was built by the Chen family, early pioneers from Taipei whose ancestors originated from Anxi County, Quanzhou, Fujian Province. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, their progenitor crossed the sea to Taiwan for reclamation. They previously had residences, but it wasn't until the early Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty that they invested heavily in the construction of Yifangju. This tiangong courtyard-style ancient residence is a typical example of homes from the Taipei Basin, featuring a three-sided entrance design with a concave shape. The walls of the main structure and the protective dragon walls are made of solid thick brick and stone, with fewer windows and doors. Additionally, a two-story gun cabinet was built on the outer protective dragon wall for self-defense against bandit attacks. Many of its windows are made of stone, sourced from sandstone produced in Taipei, showcasing local characteristics. The lintel bears the inscription "Yifangju," dated to the Bingzi year, estimated to have been built in the second year of Guangxu's reign. With the rapid development of modern Taipei City, ancient residences like Yifangju from the Qing Dynasty are becoming increasingly rare, serving as historical witnesses to Taipei's development.
