Baños de Coamo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baños de Coamo |
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| Location | Coamo, Puerto Rico |
| Coordinates | 18°02′16.00″N 66°22′26.03″W / 18.0377778°N 66.3738972°W |
| Type | Thermal spring |
The Baños de Coamo (meaning "Baths of Coamo") are special hot springs. They are found in the town of Coamo, Puerto Rico. These are the only natural thermal springs in Puerto Rico.
People have used these warm waters for a very long time. The Tainos, who lived in Puerto Rico before Europeans, used them. Many believed the waters had healing powers. The Baños became a popular spot for early Spanish settlers. This led to local business owners building a resort there.
Coamo was important during the Spanish–American War. The resort was damaged by artillery during a battle. The historic Baños and resort were later fixed up by the Government of Puerto Rico. They became a popular place to visit once again.
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History of the Baños
The Taino people lived in Puerto Rico before Christopher Columbus and the Spanish arrived. They were the first to find the hot spring waters of Coamo. A local legend says that Juan Ponce de León, the first governor of Puerto Rico, heard about the healing powers of the Baños from the Tainos.
Ponce de León believed these baths might be the Fountain of Youth he was searching for. He asked for directions. But he misunderstood them. Instead, he sailed by sea towards a new land. This led to the discovery of Florida and his death.
By the mid-1500s, news of the healing powers of the six sulfur-rich springs spread. Many Spanish settlers began to travel regularly from San Juan. They went to the mountainous region to enjoy what they believed were the benefits of these waters.
Building the First Resort
In 1847, a businessman from Ponce, Andrés G. Luhring, built the first structures at "Los Baños." He built a wooden guest house (hostel) in front of the baths. This was to house the many visitors. Later, he built the main guest house from stone and wood. Luhring also put up barriers around the baths. This gave visitors privacy while bathing.
Luhring did not have enough money to continue. He sold his share to José Usera Soriano, a local from Coamo. In 1857, Usera Soriano built a fancy 20-room hotel. It was made of brick, stone, and wood.
The Spanish-American War
The United States invaded Puerto Rico during the Spanish–American War. The town of Coamo was part of the Battle of Coamo. Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Martinez-Illesas of the Spanish Army was at the Baños de Coamo. He had 248 Spanish and Puerto Rican troops.
General James H. Wilson ordered his artillery to support an attack on the Baños. The Spanish troops had already moved towards the town of Aibonito. Only a few soldiers stayed behind to slow down the American advance. The American troops found the resort abandoned. The damage from the artillery bombardment during the war can still be seen today.
Later Years and Famous Visitors
In 1879, Braulio Dueño Colon, a Puerto Rican musician, wrote music for a Zarzuela. A Zarzuela is a Spanish play that mixes talking, singing, and dancing. This one was called "Los Baños de Coamo."
By the late 1800s and early 1900s, the springs became known internationally. The resort operated from 1847 to 1958. It still had the hotel built by Usera Soriano in 1857. Many famous people visited, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Frank Lloyd Wright, Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison. The Baños de Coamo resort closed in 1959. It was left in ruins for many years.
Today, the springs are still promoted as a great place to visit.
The Parador Program of Puerto Rico
In 1970, the Government of Puerto Rico started "El Programa de Paradores de Puerto Rico." This program is run by "La Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico" (The Puerto Rico Tourism Company). The Baños de Coamo were included in this program. New, modern buildings were constructed. The new resort officially opened in 1978.
What remains of the original 1857 hotel is now the restaurant and some walls. A central wall structure has been kept. It is now part of a fountain courtyard on the grounds. This adds to the historic feel of the modern Parador.
The Parador at the hot springs is called "El Parador Baños de Coamo." It has 48 rooms. Unlike a large hotel, a Parador is smaller and more welcoming. It has a swimming pool that connects to the hot springs. There is a pool supplied with hot spring water through underground pipes.
There are different levels of baths. The top level is the hottest. This water spills into a larger bath below, which is cooler. Finally, it flows into a large pool that is the coolest, but still warm. The pools are regularly drained for cleaning. A study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that the spring releases between 32,000 and 83,000 gallons daily. The average water temperature is 43 degrees Celsius (about 109 degrees Fahrenheit).
In 1995, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company sold the Parador. However, in 2001, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico canceled the sale. Ownership of the Parador returned to the Tourism Company. Eventually, the Parador was sold to Antonio Umpierre, who is its current owner.
See also
In Spanish: Baños de Coamo para niños
