The vicissitudes of life witnessed by railway stations are the memories that cannot be erased from the minds of Taiwanese people.

 

Massacre of stations – Revisiting the February 28 Incident is an exhibition that is curated with a focus on what happened at and around the three railway stations of Badu Station, Chiayi Station and Kaohsiung Station, and illustrates how the incident unraveled at these locations. Through the literature, pictures and oral stories surrounding these stations, it is hoped that the truth of their history can be revealed in a clearer way.

The February 28 Incident was not only a resistance movement ignited by a murder committed by a contraband tobacco investigator, and its range was not limited to an ethnic clash between locals and newcomers. The development of the incident was related to the overall dynamics of Taiwanese society and culture and was intertwined with the actions, decisions and ideas of a variety of individuals and organizations. Today, now that these stations have become tourist destinations, it is hoped that by reconstructing and reinterpreting the historical scenes, visitors of the exhibition can understand how the victims of state violence were persecuted, as well as appreciate the historical value inherent in the railway stations in terms of the history of human rights abuses.

 

The railway in Taiwan and the control of the islanders

Railway not only changes the development and landscape of a city, but it also bolsters the industrial economy and social and cultural exchanges. In 1887, the Qing Empire government set up the Taiwan Railway Business Administration, officially kicking off railway construction in Taiwan. In 1899, the Department of Railway was established by the Japanese colonial government. In order to enhance its colonial governance, it improved the railway routes left behind by the former ruler of Taiwan and started large-scale construction of a railway system to complete the West Coast Line in 1908. Meanwhile, in order to exploit the abundant natural resources, both the public and private sectors vigorously built railways for industrial purposes, such as forestry, sugar, salt, and mining. In 1945, the post-war government set up the Taiwan Railways Administration, which was responsible for taking over and restoring the existing railway facilities and routes. The railway system that was constructed by the Japanese colonial government provided an important foundation for the rule of the Nationalist government over the whole island in its early years of post-war occupation.

　

Qing imperial period 1683-1895

1887：After Liu Ming-chuan requested the building of railway in Taiwan to be approved, the Taiwan Railway Business Administration was established, launching the earliest railway construction in the island’s history.

1891：The construction of the railway line between Taipei and Keelung was finished.

1893：The construction of the railway line between Taipei and Hsinchu was finished.

July 25, 1894：The outbreak of the First Sino-Japanese War.

　

Japanese colonial period 1895-1945

April 17, 1985：The Qing Empire and Japan signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki, ceding Formosa and the Pescadores to Japan. The treaty came into effect on May 8, 1985.

1899：The Department of Railway was set up under the Taiwan Governor’s Office.

1899：Badu Station was built in Keelung (it was called Hatto Provisional Platform at the time).

1900：The West Coast Line’s railway stretch between Tainan and Takao (today’s Kaohsiung) was officially in operation.

1902：Chiayi Railway Station (known as Kagi Station at the time) was set up. The second generation of Chiayi Railway Station was built in 1933.

1908：The construction of the West Coast Line was finished.

1924：The Department of Railway was moved under the Department of Transportation, Taiwan Governor’s Office.

1924：The Yilan Line that stretches between Badu and Su’ao was finished. Badu Station thus became a transfer point for Yilan County residents to the West Coast Line.

1941：Kaohsiung Railway Station (known as New Takao Station at the time and today the Kaohsiung Vision Museum) was officially in operation.

　

Post-war 1945-recent

August 15, 1945：The end of the Second World War.

October 25, 1945：Taiwan was taken over and ruled by the Nationalist government.

November, 1945：The Taiwan Railways Administration was set up by the Department of Transportation, Taiwan Province Chief Executive’s Office.

From March to April, 1947：The February 28 Incident led to island-wide conflicts in different parts of Taiwan, forcing railway services from north to south of the island to suspend operation.

March, 1948：The Taiwan Railways Administration was moved under the Office of Transportation of the Taiwan Provincial Government.

1998：The Taiwan Railways Administration was moved under the Department of Transportation.