The ash kiln industry in Penghu is said to have been initiated by Xu He, a native of Gangzaiwei (now Xujiacun) in Huxi Township. He introduced the lime-burning method from Taiwan before the Japanese Occupation, and Jiacun became the first ash kiln industry in Penghu. Later, Qingluo Village, Hongluo Village, and Baikeng Village also established ash kiln factories, with Qingluo Village having the largest ash kiln factory. Eventually, even Magong started operating ash kilns.
Baikeng Village, known for its abundant raw materials such as coral reef limestone fragments and shell fragments, became a hub for ash kilns. At its peak, there were 16 ash kilns in the area, making it an important town in the ash kiln industry. The production process involved mixing coral reef limestone fragments, shells, and coal at a ratio of approximately 3:1, firing them in the kiln, and then going through the steps of ignition, leaving the kiln, sieving ash, and packaging. The larger kilns could burn up to 145,000 catties* of lime at a time.
Huxi Township was already selling lime to the west coast of Taiwan's main island during that time. The number of ash kilns in Penghu gradually increased, reaching 26 or 27 during the Japanese occupation and the early postwar period. By 1956, the highest number reached 41.
*Catty (Taiwanese kilogram) 1斤 = 0.6kg
However, with the lime market shrinking and the costs of lime burning increasing, coupled with protests from residents due to the smoke emitted during the burning process, the industry's willingness to operate declined, leading to its gradual withdrawal from the market. After 1973, only three ash kilns remained, and the lime kiln industry became a fading industry. In the 1990s, only Mr. Xu Shiliu and Mr. Cai Wanyi from Baikeng Village managed their lime kilns, both located in Yanziwei. After 1997, Xu Shiliu was barely able to sustain his business, but it was partially closed. Currently, there are no traditional ash kilns in operation. Only the remnants of the ash kilns in Guoye Village and Baikeng Village remain. The Guoye ash kiln, known as the "Ancient Castle," is the most spectacular ash kiln building in Penghu.
Although the Baikeng ash kiln was built in 1960, the ash it produced was an important construction material in Penghu at that time. Its existence represents the production process and methods of Penghu's oyster shell ash and stone ash. The kiln is still in good condition, and it is one of the few remaining industrial buildings in Penghu that holds significant historical and cultural value. Therefore, it is recommended to register it as a "historical building."
