WWII Bullet Scars Visible on Historic Hualien Ice Plant as Operations Cease

The ice-making plant at Hualien Fishing Port, a structure dating back to the 1940s, has ceased operations. The building, which has stood for over 80 years, shows its age with exposed rebar and structural elements. Its exterior walls bear the scars of history, marked by bullet holes from U.S. fighter planes during World War II, a stark reminder of the conflict's impact on the region.

Once a vital facility for the local fishing industry, the plant's closure is attributed to aging equipment and structural safety issues. Coastal fishing operations rely heavily on these ice factories to keep their catch fresh. The process involves large ice blocks being made, then crushed by machinery on the roof and delivered via conveyor belts directly into the holds of fishing boats or onto waiting trucks.

The Hualien Fishing Port itself has a history stretching back to the 1930s, with its initial phase completed in 1939. This first stage included not only fishing boat docks but also facilities for medium-sized vessels. Alongside the now-closed ice plant, the original port structures included the former fisheries association building, an auction hall, and the Hualien Port Contract Building, which now houses the Hualien Port Police Detachment.