Casa del Rey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Casa del Rey
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Main facade, in September 2018
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 Location in Puerto Rico
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| Location | 292 Méndez Vigo Street Dorado, Puerto Rico |
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| Built | 1823 |
| Architectural style | Spanish military neoclassic |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000408 |
| Added to NRHP | May 19, 1989 |
Casa del Rey means 'house of the king' in Spanish. It is a very old and important building in the historic center of Dorado, Puerto Rico. Over the years, it has had many names, like the Militia Guard Headquarters and the Municipal Jail of Dorado. It was also once called the Parador del Rey.
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What is Casa del Rey?
This building is the oldest one in Dorado. When it was first built, it provided homes for people working for the Spanish government. It also served as a main office for the local military. Imagine it as a central hub for important activities in the town!
A Look Back in Time: Its History
The Casa del Rey was built in 1823. It was designed in a style called Spanish military neoclassic. This means it looked strong and official, like a building meant for government and military use.
From Council to Home
In 1848, a person named Jacinto López bought the building. He changed it into a large home. To do this, he added two new sections. These additions made the building shaped like a letter "U" around a central courtyard.
Later, in 1871, Casa del Rey became the home of Manuel Alonso y Pacheco. He was a very famous writer from Puerto Rico, known for his romantic stories and poems.
A Special Place Today
Casa del Rey is so important that it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1989. This list helps protect special places in the United States.
The building was carefully fixed up by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture in 1978. Today, Casa del Rey is a local history museum. It helps people learn about the past of Dorado and Puerto Rico.
See Also
In Spanish: Casa del Rey para niños
