Songshan Historical Tobacco Building

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Songshan Historical Tobacco Building

Tags: development | Songshan Tobacco Factory

Digitization of the Collection of Historical Documents during the Japanese Colonial Period through Early Taiwanese Retrocession

In 1937 (the 12^th year of Shiaowa Reign), the Taiwan Sotokufu Monopoly Bureau established the Songshan Tobacco Factory in Songshan, Taipei. Songshan Tobacco Factory is one of the few remaining industrial buildings built during the 1930s. Songshan Tobacco Factory is not only a historical site representative of the development of the Taiwan tobacco monopoly, but also a witness of the municipal development of Taipei City.

Taiwan's tobacco monopoly system began in 1905 (the 38^th year of Meiji Reign of the Japanese colonial period). In order to make up for a financial shortage, the Taiwan Sotokufu implemented this economic measure. After the implementation of the tobacco monopoly system, the planting, manufacture, and sale of tobacco fell under government control. In the beginning, the Taipei Tobacco Factory was the only organization responsible for producing and manufacturing tobacco. With the increase in demand for tobacco in Taiwan, the Taiwan Sotokufu Monopoly Bureau established Songshan Tobacco Factory in 1937 in Songshan. The Japanese Cabinet sent officials to investigate architectural design in Europe and the United States for two years. Thus, the construction of the Songshan Tobacco Factory was based on the integration of Japanese, European, and American architectural characteristics. In addition, the Songshan Tobacco Factory was built based on the concept of the industrial village and it became Taiwan's first modern and professional tobacco factory.

所屬機構：國史館臺灣文獻館

所屬計畫：典藏日據時期與光復初期史料數位化計畫

Above: Hall Construction Blueprint for Songshan Tobacco Factory of the Taiwan Sotokufu Monopoly Bureau (Façade and Cross-Section)

Below: Laboratory Gas Piping Blueprint in Songshan Tobacco Factory of the Taiwan Sotokufu Monopoly Bureau

Above: Construction Blueprint for Songshan Tobacco Factory of the Taiwan Sotokufu Monopoly Bureau (Vertical and Horizontal Cross Sections)

Above: Construction Blueprint for Songshan Tobacco Factory of the Taiwan Sotokufu Monopoly Bureau (Façade and Cross-Section)

The architectural arrangement of this factory was divided into three sections with a baroque garden and fountain located between the second and third sections. The architecture was built based on the eclectic styles of the 1930s. The second gate was built during the Japanese colonial period and offices were built based on the styles of early modernism in Japan. The walls and ditches still remain as they were designed for defense during war. Horizontal views and classical styles were emphasized. The tiles, glass, and copper nails were the materials from the 1960s. The tiles were exquisitely arced, making the factory an elegant representation of Japanese segregation architectural style. Its solid structure was the model for many factories at that time. The factory is the only remaining industrial architecture from the 1930s in Taiwan. In addition to offices and dormitories, gardens, and entertainment facilities, a lotus foundation was built for fire control in the factory. Songshan Tobacco Factory not only produced tobacco, but it was also a venue for entertainment.

Above: Dormitory Construction Blueprint

Below: Warehouse Construction Blueprint for Songshan Tobacco Factory of the Taiwan Sotokufu Monopoly Bureau

Due to the planning of municipal space, the privatization of state-owned enterprises, and the decrease of competition for the factory, the production of tobacco at Songshan Tobacco Factory ceased in 1998. In 2001, Taipei City government numbered Songshan Tobacco Factory as the 99th historical municipal building. In 2002, the Executive Yuan approved the proposal by Taipei City government to reserve the area for the future Taipei Stadium. Therefore, Songshan Tobacco Factory is not only a historical site, but also a witness of the municipal development of Taipei City.