中壢醫院

September 27th, 2024

Zhongli Hospital (中壢醫院) was established in either 1921 or 1930¹ by physician Wu Hongsen (吳鴻森, 1897–1991). Born in Zhongli during the Japanese colonial period, Wu graduated from Taipei Medical College (臺北醫學專門學校) and returned to his hometown to practice medicine. Beyond his medical contributions, Wu served as a member of various political bodies during Japanese rule, and was later elected as a member of the ROC National Assembly (國民大會), a position he held until 1989.

Japanese colonial modernism with hints of Art Deco influences.

Gazing up at the old hospital nearly a decade later.

Wu’s family was struck by tragedy during the upheaval that followed the 228 Incident in 1947 as his younger brother, Wu Hongqi (吳鴻麒), was brutally murdered. Wu Hongsen personally petitioned Chiang Kai-shek to investigate the killing but nothing came of it, and the crime remains officially unsolved.

An oblique look at the front of the old hospital from the street.

A quick peek inside the old hospital reveals how well-maintained everything is. The window at the left is a classic pharmaceutical dispensary.

The hospital building, which also served as Wu’s residence, remains in the possession of the Wu family. It later housed the Taoyuan Wu Family Association (桃園縣吳氏宗親會) and more recently the Foguangshan Zen Purification Center (佛光山中壢禪淨中心). It is also known as the Former Residence of Wu Hongsen (吳鴻森故宅).

Tony Huang cites 1921 as the date of establishment whereas Just A Balcony suggests the hospital was completed in 1930. There’s a chance the hospital was established earlier and this is the second-generation building. ↩