[Updated 3/12/2025]
European House #18 was built in the early 20th century when Cheung Chau was found to be an ideal alternative to The Peak as a site for holiday villas. There was a flurry of building of these houses in 1908-10. The house doesn't appear on a 1911 photo of Fa Peng though, so it was built some time after then.
Going by the photographic evidence, House #18 was a bungalow, sturdily built of locally quarried granite blocks, secure enough to withstand the typhoon season, with a flat concrete roof. Like the other houses, it faced south, with servants' quarters at the rear, possibly on two levels. It enjoyed fine views west to Lantau and south-west over Chung Chau and islands to the south.
In 1933, the new owner had a verandah built on the front (see post below).
In 1938 the owner of this house was recorded as Mr G F Sauer. There is a Georg Friedrich Sauer who appears on the HK jury lists. He was a pharmacist and worked for China Export-Import & Bank Co, Ltd. He is recorded as living on the premises there. Perhaps this was a pied-à-terre. Don Ady talks about a missionary family named Sauer in the Canton area in the 1940s. Perhaps something will come up on them.
Today the site is occupied by 18 Fa Peng Road, which may be the original house.
Photos that show this Place
Comments
Re: Georg Friedrich Sauer
As mentioned above, Georg Friedrich Sauer appears in the 1938 Jurors List as a pharmacist attached to the China Export-Import Bank Co. Ltd.
In 1937, G. F. Sauer's father, Philip Sauer, a retired merchant passed away in Hong Kong. His father had come out to Hong Kong three years prior (1934?) from Germany to reside with his son at No. 5 Cumberland Road, Kowloon. G. F. Sauer had a wife and two sons.
By 1938 and thereafter, G. F. Sauer appears in Shanghai working for Bayer Pharma (Hong Kong).
The Sauers were on Cheung Chau by August 1935 as their children took part in Sports Day running and swimming races. Not sure if they owned or just simply occupied House No. 18.
Sources
European House #18
"Progress has been made in the erection of the verandah of House No. 18, and the new owner has paid a visit of inspection." China Mail 25 January 1933 refers.
"The alterations to Houses No. 18 and 24 are almost completed, while extensive repairs have also been done to Nos. 27 and 27A." China Mail 27 March 1933 refers.