DATE:ESTABLISHED IN 1834 A.D.

LOCATION: PEI-PU VILLAGE, HSINCHU COUNTY

DESCRIPTION:

In 1826 the magistrate of Tamsui, Li Shen-yi, built a "strategic pass" at Shih-sui Lun to guard settlers in the area from raids by local aborigines. Later on, another magistrate, Li Su-yeh, planned to extend and enlarge the area of farmland for Chinese cultivation. He asked two important gentry of the area－Chiang Hsiu-luan from Kwangtung and Chou Pang-cheng of southern Fukien－to organize a committee to oversee further defense operations and extend development of the land. He also gave them responsibility for the upkeep of Shih-sui Lun and similar installations. Using their influence in the community, Chiang and Chou were able to collect money which was placed in a fund given the name Chin Kuang Fu, signifying the "everlasting wealth of Kwangtung and Fukien." The fund became operative in 1831. In 1834, the cultivation was extended to the new village of Pei-pu which was made a base for future development. This house was the office in charge of administering the "Chin Kuang Fu" fund. A tablet inscribed with the name Chin Kuang Fu and another significant tablet still remain above the door of the main hall.