Antiguo Cuartel Militar Español de Ponce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Antiguo Cuartel Militar Español de Ponce
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 Location in Puerto Rico
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| Location | Calle Castillo Final, Ponce, Puerto Rico |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1894 |
| Architect | Spanish Royal Corps of Engineers |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical and 19th Century Civil Architecture |
| MPS | 19th Century Civil Architecture in Ponce TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000772 |
The Antiguo Cuartel Militar Español de Ponce (meaning Old Spanish Military Headquarters in Ponce), also known as "El Castillo" ("The Castle"), is a historic building in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is the only building directly linked to the land defense of Puerto Rico during the American invasion in 1898.
This important structure was built in 1894. You can find it on Calle Castillo in Ponce's historic district. The building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on May 14, 1987.
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What is El Castillo?
"El Castillo" was built in 1894 by the Spanish Royal Corps of Engineers. It served as the main office for the Spanish military in Ponce.
After 1898, when Puerto Rico became part of the United States, the building changed its purpose. First, it was used as a courthouse. Later, it became a place where people were held for legal reasons.
In the late 1980s, it stopped being used for detention. The building was then renovated. In 1992, it opened as the home of the Ponce School of Fine Arts. This is its role today.
Who Designed This Historic Building?
The Spanish Royal Corps of Engineers designed "El Castillo." Its style is called 19th Century Civil Architecture. It is one of the largest Neoclassic buildings built in Ponce during the 1800s.
The building's simple outside walls show its original military purpose. It played a big part in keeping order during the last years of Spanish rule in southern Puerto Rico. Since then, it has continued to be important for legal and public safety uses.
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Why is El Castillo Important?
The Spanish military in Ponce played a key role when American troops arrived in 1898. The Spanish commander in Ponce decided not to defend the city directly. However, the Ponce troops, with help from smaller groups, defended the Asomante area.
This stopped the U.S. Army from entering Aibonito on their way to San Juan. The Ponce military also helped the Guayama group try to stop American troops from taking that city. "El Castillo" is the only building directly linked to these land defense events found so far.
What Does El Castillo Look Like?
The building is a two-story square structure with an open space in the middle, called a courtyard. It is made of brick and stone. Wooden beams and brick layers were used for the roof and floors.
The courtyard is surrounded by open-arched walkways on both levels. When the building was used for detention in 1987, these walkways formed the basis for the holding areas.
Architectural Features of the Building
The building has many windows on its front, but no fancy decorations. This gives it a simple, strong look, typical of military buildings from the Spanish period in Puerto Rico. The building still has its original lead water spouts shaped like cannons.
"El Castillo" has not changed much since it was built. The biggest change was replacing the original wooden window shutters with metal ones. Also, iron bars were added to the inside openings. The building also got some small updates: the inner courtyard was repaved, and modern restrooms were installed.
