Sister Towers of Mount Jigong

Sister Towers of Mount Jigong

Tower Name: The towers are named the "Sister Towers" because they share the same structure, appearance, and design, resembling sisters.

Construction Period: Due to the loss of construction records, the exact time of construction remains undetermined, though it is limited to a certain time frame.

A North Tower

The North Tower, numbered 109, is known as the "Yuan Family Building." It is widely agreed that it was built by Yuan Ying, the newly appointed 12th Division Commander. The construction period is estimated to be between 1908 and 1913 for the following reasons: ① In 1907, Emperor Guangxu appointed Zhang Zhidong, the Viceroy of Huguang, to handle the case of Cao Yulin, the magistrate of Xinyang, who sold land on Mount Jigong, and the decision was finalized in 1907. Construction halted before the final decision. ② The Sister Towers are located within the boundary of the Henan Forest District, which only opened for leasing in 1908. ③ The Yuan family sought favor with Yuan Shikai, claiming kinship, and during 1908–1913, Yuan Shikai enjoyed a successful official career, leading to the prosperity of the Yuan family. ④ The South Tower was built based on the blueprint of the North Tower. The owner of the South Tower was transferred from Fengtian (Shenyang) to southern Henan only in 1914, proving that the North Tower had been completed before 1914.

B South Tower

The South Tower, numbered 110, also known as the "Wu Family Building," was built by Wu Qingtong, the Garrison Commander of Nanyang. The Henan Chronicles record: On January 22 of the third year of the Republic of China (lunar calendar February 16), Yuan Shikai ordered: "Gao Wengui, the acting Commander-in-Chief of Nanyang Garrison in Henan, delayed in suppressing Bai Lang (a rebel leader) and should be dismissed. Wu Qingtong is hereby appointed as the Garrison Commander of Nanyang in Henan." Prior to this, Wu Qingtong served as the commander of the vanguard unit in Fengtian. He was dismissed in 1920 and moved to Tianjin. Therefore, the South Tower must have been constructed between 1915 and 1919, when Wu Qingtong was stationed at Wusheng Pass in Xinyang to suppress Bai Lang.