PICTURESQUE PUERTO RICO
THE Island of Poito Rico, as Americans cali it, though the Spanish ñame is Puerto Rico, meaning lien poit) is situated in that part of the Atlantic known as the Carribean Sea, about looo V fiom the nearest point of the United States—the Florida coast. It is 1500 miles from New 01 - and about 1400 miles from the Isthmus of Panama. The islands of Jamiaca, Hayti, and Cuba, are wes ei y fiom it m the same vvaters. It covers an area of 3700 square miles, larger than that of Delewaie, istiict of Colurnbia and Rhode Island combined, by nearly 300 square miles. The length of the island is 95 miles ; width, 35 miles, and coast line 350 miles. ^ ^ ^
W hen discoveied by Columbus in 1493 the natives were Caribs, of the indian race. It was not a aige lace and giadually decreased in numbers until it entirely disappeared early in the present century, though many traces of it are found among the present peasant class called Peons. '
fu the earliest days of record the island was the scene of many attacks from buccanneers and piiates, and several unsuccessful freebooting excursions were made against it after the Spanish had conquered the Aborginees early in the sixteenth century. An English fleet made an attack upon San Juan
'o • *1 re pulsed. For over one hundred years after that, with the exception of a revolution in 1820, the island \vas free from war. The United States easily wrested it from Spanish control in 1898.
It has e\ idently been the desire of the Spanish property owners and officials to keep the outside woild in ignoiance ot the rich attractions of Puerto Rico. This gem of the sea, one of the loveliest and U'C'y 'slands of the woidd, abounding in natural resources and advantages, beautiful in scenery and delightful m chínate, was about as little known to the United States previous to its acquisition as are some of the unexplored islands of the southern Pacific. To the traveler from the states, especially from the northern sections, arriving m winter, the appearance of Puerto Rico is delightfully inviting with its SLiggestion of perpetual spring. In the picturesque beauty of its hills and valleys, and its charming dress of luxuriant vegetation, its masses of gorgeous colored flowers, and its stately trees of the plains and the mountam forests, the natural attractions of this rich and voluptuous country are readily apparent and delight the senses, which revele in the welcome change from the snow and ice in the northern dimes. °
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Morro Castie, San Joan.
luán VhU^'faríT-^fh'''^' as seen from tlie seapr wheii CiUerin? the harbor. It staiijs boldly out froin the iiorth end of the Island oí San
This immense fortification is situated on the coast at the east end of t!ie City of San Juan, and overlook? the entiro city and coast fortiticatÍ(»ns. It is about three quarters of a mile east oí Morro Castle. It sultered considerable diiring Sampson's bombardmeiit, May 18, 1S9S.
oíd Sea Wall and Govemor-General's Palace.
The above view was made from the top of Casa Blanca, once the home of Ponce De Leen, and shows a good portion of San Juan and the harbor. and gives one a correct idea oí the location of the Palace. The walk at the base oí the sea wali leads one all the way around to the Marina, affording a beautiful stroll oí an evening.
A Typtcal Street Scene ín San Juan.
In the Capital as ¡a most Porto Rican towns oxen are usei al>no5t exrlusively as beasts oí burden. They are generally larga and strong, yet docile. Tne carts, as carts they all are, wagoas being a thiag imkao.v.i to the Porto Ricaii, are large and seemmgly uiinecessarily cumbersome.
Plaza Alfonzo XII, San Juan.
Thís is the principa! plaza of the Capital and in accordance with the Spanish customs open-air concerts are giveii Wedncsday and Sunday nvenings. The band piays and fashionable society turns out and with the people of other classes íorm a moving throng of humanity, proinenading back and forth exchanging social greeíings while enjoying music usually of a high order. The building in the center is a government huilding, tliat on the right with the round dome is the City Hall.
Saint Joscph's Cliurcli is oiie oí the earliest founded churciies oí the island, dating; back even earlier than the settlement oí San Augustine. Fia., or Jaincstown. Va. It is stated on no less authority than that of Washington Irvnig that the remains of that grim oíd warrior and conqueror Don Juan Ponce de León aro saíclv doposited in a sepulchre beneath one of its ñne alters. .\nother chapter was added to its history May i2t!i. i8q8, \vhen it was twice liit by projeciilcs írom Sanipson's powcrful guns.
iplainly in the above picture is known as "Casa Blanca- and is one oí the most historie buildings in the Capital the Governor-s P^lari de León more than three hundred years apo. It is beautiíuHy situated on the bay, high above the Sea Wall between X Ctidce ana Morro Castle and was the home of that gnm oíd warnor and conqueror Ponce de León for a number oí years.
Infantry Barracks, San Juan.
The above shows the effects of a thirteea inch shell on the Spanísh Infantry barracks m San Juan. This sheli was thrown from the Battleship lowa ancl struck the büildinj whíle the Spatiish band was playín"? their national air, soine three or four of whom were kiiled and a number wounded. May [3, 1S93, will always be a memorable day in the minds of the citizens of San Juan.
The Haunted Sentry Box»
This parí oí the oíd sea wall is directly uiider San Cristóbal. Many years ago a Spanis!) guard on duty at tiiis point oiie dark and raiiiy iiight disappeared as tiiough by inagic. All the corporal oí the guard couid find oí the man who he had put on watch only a few hours beíore was his musket and side arms, the man had disappeared from the face oí the eartii and was never seen afterwards. Superstition says that a Sea Devil carried him ofí and the natives give this spot a wide birth.
San Antonia Brídge, San Juan.
This bridffe is protected bv Fort San Gerónimo, which shows in above picture. It is the only entrance to the Capital by land, henee its importance can readilv be seeii. It has been approprialely called La Puetra de lia Capitel (the gateway to the Capital).
The above ¡s not unlike sighls to be seen in most all cemeleries in Porto Rico. The dead are placed in vaults built of masonry. The ceineteríes are all iiiuler the supervisión of tiie municipal governinent whicb exacts certain annuai rentáis. In case of iionpayinent of rentáis within Uve years the vaults are opened and the remains deposted in an open-top recepticle built in one córner of the cemetery to be forever exposed to the elements.
View ín Cemetery, San Juan.
,p ., Cemetery and Morro Castie, San Juan. inclined%?ane unL?a'L\Vñe'¡rch^ 'an°imnn!;inZ»'í Ca=tle,=>nd has a remarkably striking and beautiíully suggestive
a stone arch to an imposing gateway oí stoiie and iron. It is surrounded by a wall oí solid masonry. cntrance down au
Pleasure Boats, San Jaun»
Theso aro the sinall sail boats owned by the poorer class oí nativos and aro proatly iised in crossing the hay froni San Juan to Catano. They all seein to do a thriving businoss, as sailing on the hay lias i^ocoino quite a fad with most Aniericans residing iu San Juan. Tbey also ineet all the steain ships that cuine into the harbor and carry passengers to shore.
verv thlclf. ^There i's\io"^asq in'?hí^í'inf/r,?i!í í'.üil'i?" "'e order oí thls one. made with solt brick and plastered over on the outside. The walls are hon'ses are' nearlv all Irui^ in the «íhane nf a ifeii clrtsed with iieavy shutters. Idie roofs are flat and paved with hard iinported brick. The "helnver^cool shape oí a hollow square witb an inner court. The thickness of the vvall¿ and the moda of construction make
Calle de Luna, San Juan.
Scene on Marina, San Juan,
The above is a typical vie\v at íhe water-íront in the Capital, and represents the venders of that city, vendíng oranges, .sugar water, cocoauut dulce, bread, etc.
Ox Cart on Mílítary Road Near San Juan»
Thís is the commoii inodtí of transpDrtiii? freiífht on the Island. Tiie ouly overland communication betvveen San Juan and Ponce, the two largest citieá, is by wagón road, and luindreds oí tliese ox carts are constaiitly goiug back and forth. Note the peculiar mode oí fastening the yoke on the horns, instead oí the shoulders as in the southcra parts oí United Status.
Prisoners in San Juan.
Native Funeral.
The above shows the custom among the poorer classes of the Island. They have no hearse, but carry the coffin on their shoulders.
An Outíng.
The above shows the American. enjoying himself iii the tropics. Aíter walking two or three miles in the hot suii, nothiiiff can so refresh one as to drink the water Iroiii one or two cocoaniits. fhe native lad has iust been up the tree and cut down as many as the "Americanos wanted. The cocoanuts are also sold 011 the streets oí the Capital everv inorning, and are a very pleasant and healthy drink.
Cock-Fight. Theaboveshuwscock-liglitingatCatano.acrossthebayfrom San luán. This sport is as much a national ene in Porto Rico as is base ball in the Unítcd Statcs. It is, in a measure. a Spanisli substituto for the bull tigbt, wbich Porto Rico is hardly populous enough to maintam. Larga
SUMIS of monev are annuallv spent in rearing tlie íeathered ñghters of the cock pit.
Peón in Cocoanut Tree ín Cocoanut Grove, Near San Juan,
It is difficult to sliow thc coco.Tnuts on tlie tree in^ a |)hotograpii. as the íoliapc is so dense. Thc tree shown in tliis pliotograph had nearly one linndreci cocoaiiuts on it. The íruit is found in all stages oí developnieiit on the saine tree, íroin the blossom to the ripe nut.
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The Columbus Monument, Situaied about íliree miles south oí Agiindilla on the CüSt. and can be plainly seeii by all visitors taking a trip around the Island by boat. It marks tlic exact spot wiiere Columbus landed and was erected in commeratioii oí the four hundredth anniversary oí his díscovery oí Porto Rico.
Country Store ín the Interior*
This view was taken Sanday afternooa just after market hours. The farmers have sold their produce, made their purciiases and are about to return to their homes.
The Aguadilla Spríng.
Tlic.' spring of Aguadilhi is one of the niost historie spots on the Island, it beiiig the spring Iroin which Christopher Columbus replentished tbe water supply for his sliips oii liis secoiid voyage to the New World iii 1493- This spring now supplies abundance of water íor all the residents 01 ine
Mayaguez is situated oii tlie west coast oí tlie Islaud aiid has a populatioii of about 12000. Tliis ¡s the third largest city oii the Islaud. The Plaza showii iii the piloto is especially attractive 011 account oí the old-vvorld stone balustrade surrounding it. aiid magaiftcent bronze statue of Columbus in the center. Connected with the balustrade are twenty bronze figures.
Entrance to Harbor at Gtíaníca»
It is not generally known tliough it is a íact that Guanica has the finest deep water land-locked natural harbor in Porto Rico. It accommodated tliirteen U.S. transports and war vesseis when General Miles landed his army there July 25th, 1S98.
Battlefíeld of Goaníca.
The above shows thepositions of the oppossing íorces during the Battle of Guanica. The star marks the position of U,S- troops while the square sliows that of the Spanish forces.
Víew on Milítary Road Near Guayama
Cathedral at Cayey»
Cayey is sitiiated uist hall way betvveea San Juan and Poncc on the military road. It is the tobáceo center of the Island. Al! tlie best cigars in Porto Rico are made íroui Cayey tobáceo. Tobáceo and cotíee are the principal articles marketed iii Cavey. The quaint oíd Spanish cathedral is the (irst object to attract the eye of the traveler on entering any of the small towns in Porto Rico.
Aíboníto»
portion of tlietowii of Aiboiiito. This is the highcst towii oii the Island of Porto Rico, being about 2500 feet The
large wliite biillding showing on the backgrouiid is the cathedral, oiie of which you will fiiid iii every town on the Island.
Víew on Mílítary Road at Aíboníto Pass. riie leiiíjth oí this road froni San Jnan to Ponce is about eiglity-íour miles. It is a fino piece of engineerlngand was constmeted at a eost oí more than oiie million pesos to tlie Spanish government. Its winding eourse as it aseends the moimtains presents to tlie traveier aconstaiitly shifting pan orama oí raro beauty. The trip froin San Juan to Ponce can be made by carriagein fourteeii hours and is considered by travelers one oí tlie grandest dnves in the world.
Cathedral at Coamo.
Coamo is a sniall town on the niilitary road between Poiice and San Juan. Tlie abnve view shows the nativos proparing coffee for the market The largo mortars are public property belonging lo the town and are used by most al! the small growers for slielling tlieir colíee.
Unlike most Porto Rican towns the city of Ponce is spread out over an expanse of ground with a marked absence of compactness, affording ampie room for attractive lawns, flower ^ardens and shade trees. It is situated about three miles from its seaport "Playa" with which it is connected by a good macadamized road. The populatlon oí the city is between 25000 and 30000. .65
a unique
Strect Scene in Ponce*
Here Ihe slreets are much wider than iii the Capital. The ox carts are loaded with coffee which grows in great abundance in the mountains behjnd Ponce. Also notice that the royal paim and cocoanut trees grow in the very canter of the cities.
View ín Ccmetcry at Ponce.
