Olimpio Otero Vergés facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Olimpio Otero Vergés
Olimpio Otero Vergés, ca. 1905
Born	1845 Ponce, Puerto Rico
Died	7 September 1911
Nationality	Puerto Rican
Occupation	Merchant, Attorney, Composer, Musical editor, and Civic leader

Olimpio Otero Vergés (1845 – 7 September 1911) was an important person from Ponce, Puerto Rico. He was a businessman, a lawyer, and he wrote music. He also helped his community a lot.

Early Life of Olimpio Otero Vergés

Olimpio Otero Vergés was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in 1845. His parents were Antonio Otero Aquilina and Josefa Verges de Perea. He had two siblings, Adquilina and Josefa Verges de Clodomiro.

Music and Business: Bazar Otero

The postcard above was one of the items made and sold at Otero's Bazar Otero in 1908

Otero started a special business called Bazar Otero. It was the first place in Puerto Rico to print and sell local music. This shop helped spread the music of famous composers like Manuel Gregorio Tavarez and Juan Morel Campos. Musicians also gathered at Bazar Otero to meet and share ideas. One of Olimpio Otero's own songs was called "La Cuñadita."

Olimpio Otero: A Community Leader

Otero Verges's niche at Cementerio Civil de Ponce

Olimpio Otero Vergés was a strong leader in his community. He helped organize a big event in Ponce in 1883. It was called the Agricultural and Industrial Tobacco Exposition. This event showed off local farm products and goods.

Fighting for Justice in Puerto Rico

In 1887, Otero took part in a brave mission. He joined two other people to travel to Madrid, Spain. Their goal was to tell the Spanish government about unfair actions by the governor of Puerto Rico, General Romualdo Palacio González. Because of their efforts, General Palacio was removed from his position. Otero also served as a representative in the Spanish Courts.

Building Roads and Community Events

Otero worked hard to get a road built between Ponce and Arecibo. This road is now known as PR-123. In 1903, a bridge on the road from Ponce to Adjuntas was named the Otero Viaduct to honor him. This bridge is in Barrio Magueyes, Ponce. He also helped plan the 1883 Ponce Fair.

Parque de la Abolicion: A Park for Freedom

In 1880, Olimpio Otero, along with Juan Mayoral Barnés and Román Baldorioty de Castro, helped create a special park in Ponce. This park is called Parque de la Abolicion. It is dedicated to remembering the end of slavery. It is the only memorial of its kind in the Caribbean.

Olimpio Otero's Legacy

Olimpio Otero Vergés is remembered in several ways:

• A school in Ponce, on Calle Villa, is named after him.
• The Otero Viaduct, a bridge between Ponce and Adjuntas, honors his memory.
• A plaque at Ponce's Park of Illustrious Ponce Citizens recognizes his contributions.

See also

• List of Puerto Ricans