Fort Santa Agueda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Santa Agueda
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View from the fort
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 Fort Santa Agueda
Location in Guam
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| Location | Guam Highway 7, Hagåtña (Agana), Guam |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | c.1800 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002301 |
| Added to NRHP | August 30, 1974 |
Fort Santa Agueda is an old fort located on Guam Highway 7 in Hagåtña, which used to be called Agana, in Guam. It was built around the year 1800. At that time, Manuel Moro was the Spanish governor of Guam.
This fort was built without a roof. It had a strong wall, called a parapet, made from manposteria. This is a special mix of coral stone and lime mortar. The wall stood about 10 feet (3 meters) tall above a sloping hill. Today, Fort Santa Agueda is very important. It is the only Spanish-era fort left in Hagåtña. Because of its history, it is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
History of Fort Santa Agueda
The fort has a long and interesting history. In 1802, an officer from an American whaling ship wrote about it. He said the fort had seven cannons and ten soldiers. He also noted that the fort fired a salute when the governor went into a new church in Agana.
Later, in 1817, a Russian explorer named Otto von Kotzebue visited. He saw that the fort had only a few cannons left. By 1887, the fort was mostly in ruins.
Later Uses of the Fort
Even though it was in ruins, the fort was still used. Americans used it as a signal station until 1933. A signal station helps send messages, often using flags or lights.
During World War II, Japanese soldiers took over Guam. They changed Fort Santa Agueda into a place to hold guns. This helped them defend the island.
Fort Santa Agueda Today
After the war, the fort was restored. In 1960, it became a public park. This means people can visit and learn about its history. In 1974, it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This listing helps protect important historical sites across the United States.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Guam
- In Spanish: Fuerte Santa Águeda para niños
