The photo shows what is inside a recently restored late 19th century warehouse with rare and unique English hammer beam structure. This house was constructed by a British Steamship Company Douglas Lapraik who run shipping business from Hong Kong to the rest of the southern China ports. The one in Tamsui was port opened in 1860's around the time British setup the consulate for trading goods from northern Formosa. Tamsui is where I live and has been recorded in written world history since late 16th century through the European Age of Exploration. The port was built perhaps long before European arrival due to the European documents on pre-existence of indigenous tribal villages on the current Tamsui market town. The Spanish came to set up a fortress Fort San Domingo in early 1626 and claimed their Fareast seat of trading base with Ming Dynasty China and Japan. Tamsui serves as a halfway point for not just the goods, labor, but also the fresh water of sailors which is the meaning of Tamsui. Since late 16th century, Tamsui has been in the coveted destination from world superpowers. Taking a stroll along the Tamsui market town is seeing through history and cultural heritages from Britain, Spain, China, and Japan, and Formosans.
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