Tongluo Police Station

Tongluo Police Station (銅鑼分駐所), officially known as Tongluo Police Substation (銅鑼警察官吏派所), was built sometime between 1914 and 1920, making it an early example of a Japanese colonial era police station in Miaoli. It is situated on a gentle hillside in an old neighborhood predating the town’s southward expansion towards the Tongluo Railway Station (銅鑼車站). It was decommissioned in 1968 and converted into residences for retired police families.

Date CapturedJanuary 1st, 2024 at 09:18 UTCCameraDC-S5M2LensLUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6Apertureƒ / 3.5Shutter Speed1/60 secFocal Length20.0 mmISO400Exposure Value9.5 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

The building follows a linear floor plan typical of Japanese police substations, combining an office at the front with residential quarters at the rear. Its most striking feature is the terrazzo entrance with classical columns and geometric ornamentation. The gable’s plain cement coating was likely added after World War 2, replacing original decorative elements. Tall Norfolk Island pines (小葉南洋杉) flank the building, similar to the Guanxi Police Station in Hsinchu.