National Register of Historic Places listings in San Juan, Puerto Rico facts for kids
San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico, is full of incredible historic places! Many of these special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important to the history and culture of the United States and Puerto Rico. Let's explore some of these cool buildings, parks, and landmarks that tell stories from the past.
Contents
- Exploring San Juan's Historic Buildings
- Other Notable Historic Places
- Acueducto de San Juan
- Hiram Bithorn Stadium
- El Falansterio de Puerta de Tierra
- Edificio del Valle
- Edificio Patio Español
- Edificio Victory Garden
- Figueroa Apartments
- Miami Building
- Nuestra Señora de Lourdes Chapel
- Puerto Rico Island Penitentiary
- Rum Pilot Plant
- Superintendent of Lighthouses' Dwelling
Exploring San Juan's Historic Buildings
San Juan has many old buildings with unique styles. These buildings show us how people lived and what was important long ago.
Grand Government Buildings
Some of the most important buildings in San Juan are where the government works or where big events happen.
The Capitol Building
The El Capitolio de Puerto Rico is like the main government building for Puerto Rico. It was finished in 1929 and looks very grand with its Classical Revival and Beaux Arts style. Imagine all the important decisions made here!
The Old Casino
The Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico is a stunning building from 1917. It's built in the Beaux Arts style, which is known for being fancy and detailed. It used to be a social club where people gathered for events.
The Supreme Court Building
The Supreme Court Building was built in 1955 and has a more modern look, called Modern Movement style. It's located near the Luis Muñoz Rivera Park. This is where important legal decisions are made for Puerto Rico.
The U.S. Custom House
The U.S. Custom House is a building from 1924. It's located at 1 Puntilla Street and was designed by Albert B. Nichols. This building was important for managing goods coming in and out of Puerto Rico by sea.
The Federal Building and Courthouse
The Jose V. Toledo Federal Building and United States Courthouse was built in 1914. It's a big building where federal government work happens. It was designed by Oscar Wenderoth.
Historic Schools and Libraries
Education has always been important in San Juan, and some of its schools and libraries are historic landmarks.
Carnegie Library
The Biblioteca Carnegie is a Classical Revival style building from 1915. It's a beautiful library where people have been learning and reading for over a hundred years.
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Central High School
Central High School in Santurce is a large school building from 1925. It's built in the Spanish Renaissance style, which means it has beautiful details inspired by old Spanish architecture.
Rafael M. Labra High School
The Rafael M. Labra High School is another historic school in Santurce. This Georgian style building was built in 1916. It has a classic, strong look.
School of Tropical Medicine
The School of Tropical Medicine was built in 1920. It has a unique Neo-Plateresque style. This school was very important for studying diseases that affect people in tropical climates.
University of Puerto Rico Tower
The University of Puerto Rico Tower and Quadrangle were built in 1935. The tower is a famous landmark on the university campus. It was designed by Rafael Carmoega, who also designed the Capitol.
Unique Homes and Hotels
San Juan also has many interesting houses and hotels that show different architectural styles.
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
The Condado Vanderbilt Hotel is a fancy hotel from 1919. It's built in the Mission/Spanish Revival style, which often includes features like red tile roofs and arched windows. It's a beautiful place to stay!
Hotel Normandie
The Hotel Normandie is a truly unique hotel from 1930. It's an amazing example of Streamline Moderne architecture, which is a type of Art Deco. It was inspired by the famous ship, the SS Normandie, and looks like a giant ocean liner!
Casa Dra. Concha Meléndez Ramírez
The Casa Dra. Concha Meléndez Ramírez is a historic home in Santurce. It was listed in 2011, recognizing its importance.
Residencia Aboy–Lompre
The Residencia Aboy–Lompre is a Prairie School style house from 1919. It was designed by Antonin Nechodoma. Prairie School homes are known for their strong horizontal lines and open spaces.
Forts and Historic Districts
San Juan has a rich military history, with old forts protecting the city. The entire Old San Juan area is a historic treasure.
Old San Juan Historic District
The Distrito Histórico del Viejo San Juan – Old San Juan Historic District is a huge historic area. It covers the northwest part of the San Juan Islet. This district is filled with colorful old buildings, narrow streets, and historic forts. It was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1972.
San Juan National Historic Site
The San Juan National Historic Site includes some of the oldest and most famous forts in Puerto Rico, like El Morro and San Cristóbal. These forts date back to 1525 and were built to protect the city from attacks.
La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza is a very old building, dating back to 1533! It's located between San Juan Bay and Fortaleza Street. It was originally built as a fortress and has served as the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico for centuries.
Faro del Morro
The Faro del Morro is the lighthouse at the top of the famous San Felipe del Morro Castle. This version of the lighthouse was lit in 1908, but there has been a lighthouse here for a very long time. It helps guide ships safely into the harbor.
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Fortín de San Gerónimo de Boquerón
The Fortín de San Gerónimo de Boquerón is a fort from 1791. It's also known as the Museo de Historia Militar de Puerto Rico (Museum of Military History of Puerto Rico). It played a role in defending San Juan.
Polvorín de Miraflores
The Polvorín de Miraflores is a gunpowder magazine from 1776. It was used to store gunpowder safely. It's located at the Old Miramar Naval Base.
Parks and Public Spaces
Even parks can be historic! They are important for showing how cities planned their green spaces and public areas.
Luis Muñoz Rivera Park
The Luis Muñoz Rivera Park is a beautiful park located on Ponce de León Avenue. It was designed with Beaux Arts and Picturesque styles. It's a great place for people to relax and enjoy nature in the city.
Bridges and Infrastructure
Bridges are not just for crossing rivers; some are historic landmarks that show amazing engineering from the past.
General Norzagaray Bridge
The General Norzagaray Bridge is a very old brick bridge from 1855. It's also known as Puente de Los Frailes. It's a barrel vault bridge, which means it has a rounded, tunnel-like shape.
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Martín Peña Bridge
The Martín Peña Bridge is an Art Deco style bridge from 1939. It was designed by Cecilio Delgado and others. Art Deco is a cool style known for its geometric shapes and sleek lines.
San Antonio Railroad Bridge
The San Antonio Railroad Bridge spans the San Antonio Channel. It was listed in 2009 and is an important part of the railway history connecting San Juan Antiguo and Santurce.
Other Notable Historic Places
There are many other interesting places in San Juan that are recognized for their history.
Acueducto de San Juan
The Acueducto de San Juan is an old water system from 1846. It includes the Rio Piedras filtration plant and other parts that helped bring clean water to the city long ago.
Hiram Bithorn Stadium
The Hiram Bithorn Municipal Stadium is a large stadium listed in 2014. It's a famous place for sports and events in San Juan.
El Falansterio de Puerta de Tierra
El Falansterio de Puerta de Tierra is a historic district with buildings from 1937. It features the Art Deco style, known for its decorative and modern look.
Edificio del Valle
The Edificio del Valle is a Mission/Spanish Revival building from 1941. It was designed by Rafael Carmoega Morales.
Edificio Patio Español
The Edificio Patio Español is an Eclectic building from 1937, also known as La Filarmonica. It combines different architectural styles.
Edificio Victory Garden
The Edificio Victory Garden is another Mission/Spanish Revival building from 1936, designed by Pedro Adolfo de Castro.
Figueroa Apartments
The Figueroa Apartments are an Art Deco building from 1935, designed by Armando Morales Cano.
Miami Building
The Miami Building is an Art Deco building from 1936, designed by Pedro Menez.
Nuestra Señora de Lourdes Chapel
The Nuestra Señora de Lourdes Chapel is a Neo-Gothic style chapel from 1908, designed by Antonin Nechodoma. Neo-Gothic means it looks like old Gothic churches with pointed arches and tall spires.
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Puerto Rico Island Penitentiary
The Puerto Rico Island Penitentiary was built in 1933. It was a prison that closed in 2004 and was later taken down in 2015.
Rum Pilot Plant
The Rum Pilot Plant is located at the University of Puerto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station. It was listed in 2010.
Superintendent of Lighthouses' Dwelling
The Superintendent of Lighthouses' Dwelling is a Hacienda style building from 1908. It's located inside the U.S. Coast Guard base in La Puntilla.
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