History
Origin of the Name of Chilgok
The name Chilgok (七谷) came from Mt. Gasan, the famous mountain in Palgeo-hyeon, which was also known as Mt. Chilbongsan (七峰山) (lit. Seven-Peak Mountain). Mt. Chilbongsan is peacefully surrounded by seven low peaks at the top of the mountain, and seven valleys has formed on all sides. Here, named thereafter was Chilgok (七谷) (Lit. Seven Valleys), but, later, Chil (七) (meaning seven) was changed to Chil (柒) (also meaning seven), and Chilgok (柒谷) (lit. Seven Valleys) was used accordingly as the name of the town.
Chil (柒) was changed to Chil (漆) (meaning lacquer), which is a homonym to Chil (柒), thus, the town’s name, Chilgok (漆谷), was retained to this day. On the other hand, there is a theory that Chil (柒) was changed to Chil (漆) (meaning lacquer) due to a large number of lacquer trees in the town, though no definite record could be found. Source: Local Historical Materials Vol. 6, Chilgok Village Records (Published by the Chilgok Cultural Center)
History
Paleolithic period
Paleolithic relics were unearthed in Seokjeok-myeon.
Silla period
Chilgok was named Palgeori-hyeon, Bukchijanri-hyeon, or Inni-hyeon. King Gyeongdeok (35th King of Silla, who reigned from 742~765) renamed it Palri, which means belonging to Suchang-gun.
Goryeo period
Chilgok was renamed as Palgeo in the early Goryeo period. It became a prefecture of Gyeongsan-bu, the present Seongju, during the reign of King Hyeongjong (8th King of Goryeo, who reigned from 1010~1031).
Joseon period
The town was named Chilgok in 1640, during the 18th year of the reign of King Injo (16th King of Joseon, who reigned from 1623~1649), when the Gasansanseong Fortress was built, and the Protectorate General was established. In 1895, at the 32nd year of the reign of King Gojong (26th King of Joseon, who reigned from 1863~1907), Chilgok became Chilgok-gun, and belonged to Daegu-bu. Following the abolition of Bugun-myeon in 1914, Chilgok-gun merged with 9 myeons of Indong-gun and Yakmok-myeon, which was Daemok or Chilchon/Gonsan-hyeon in the Silla period, and relocated the county office to Waegwan.
Modern and contemporary period
- 32nd year of the reign of King Gojong in the Korean Empire period
- 1895
- 06. 23.
- Named as Chilgok-gun (漆谷郡)
- 1914
- 03. 01.
- Merged with Indong-gun to gain jurisdiction over 9 myeons and placed the county office in Waegwan
- 1914
- 07. 15.
- Sineun-dong in Gasan-myeon was incorporated into Sangjang-dong in Jangcheon-myeon, Seonsan-gun, and part of Jeung-dong in Indong-myeon was incorporated into Seongsu-dong, Sandong-myeon, Seonsan- gun. Then, Inseon-ri in Jangcheon-myeon was incorporated into Simgok-dong in Gasan-myeon.
- 1949
- 08. 13.
- Waegwan-myeon was promoted to Waegwan-eup (1 eup, 8 myeons)
- 1973
- 07. 01.
- Nakgye-dong, Buksam-myeon was incorporated into Gumi-eup, Seonsan-gun
- 1974
- 11. 01.
- Established Dongbu branch in Yakmok-myeon
- 1978
- 02. 15.
- The whole area of Indong-myeon was incorporated into Gumi-si (1 eup, 7myeons, and 1 branch)
- 1980
- 12. 01.
- Chilgok-myeon was promoted to eup (2 eups, 6 myeons, and 1 branch)
- 1981
- 07. 01.
- Chilgok-eup was incorporated into Daegu (1 eup, 6 myeons, and 1 branch)
- 1983
- 02. 15.
- Otae-dong in Buksam-myeon was incorporated into Gumi-si. Noseok-dong in Seonnam-myeon, Seongju-gun was incorporated into Yakmok-myeon. Agok-dong in Seokjeok-myeon was incorporated into Waegwan-eup. Hwanghak-dong in Seokjeok-myeon was incorporated into Jicheon-myeon.
- 1986
- 04. 01.
- Dongbu branch of Yakmok-myeon was promoted to Gisan-myeon (1 eup, 7 myeons).
- 1987
- 01. 01.
- Seoku-dong inJangcheon-myeon, Seonsan-gun was incorporated into Gasan-myeon.
- 1989
- 01. 01.
- Sinjang-ri in Gasan-myeon was incorporated into Seonsan-gun.
- 2003
- 07. 01.
- Buksam-myeon was promoted to Buksam-eup (2 eups, 6 myeons).
- 2006
- 10. 01.
- Seokjeok-myeon was promoted to Seokjeok-eup (3 eups and 5 myeons).