Ershui Public Hall (二水公會堂)

Ershui Public Hall (二水公會堂) is located in Ershui, a small town at the very southern edge of Changhua, on the border with both Yunlin (to the south) and Nantou (to the east). It is one of approximately 70 public halls built all around Taiwan to accommodate large public gatherings during the Japanese colonial era. This particular example was built in 1930 and is one of three remaining in Changhua. The other two—in Changhua City and Lukang—are both fully restored heritage properties open to the public, but this smaller hall has been derelict for years, a consequence of a long-running legal dispute between the landlord and local government complicating preservation efforts. A closer look at the façade. The circular outline of where the original sign would have been mounted is visible. You may also notice a moth in the frame; there were hundreds flying all around the building when I visited. Another look at the old public hall. The grounds were not well-kept when I visited in 2017. The…