Parque de Bombas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Parque de Bombas de Ponce
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Old Parque de Bombas firehouse building
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 Location in Puerto Rico
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| Location | Plaza Las Delicias Ponce, Puerto Rico |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1882 |
| Architect | Maximo de Meana y Guridi |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Victorian, Moorish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003150 |
| Added to NRHP | 12 July 1984 |
The Parque de Bombas (which means "firehouse" in English) is a famous old fire station in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Many people think it is the most recognizable building on the whole island!
This special building is located in the Plaza Las Delicias town square. It sits right behind the Ponce Cathedral. The Parque de Bombas was first built in 1882 for an exhibition. Later, it became Puerto Rico's very first fire station. In 1990, the fire station closed its doors. It then became a museum where you can learn about its history. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 12, 1984.
Contents
Building a Landmark: Its Early Days
The Parque de Bombas was originally built as the main display hall for a big trade fair in 1882. The government in Madrid, Spain, asked a Spanish Army officer named Máximo de Meana y Guridi to design and build it. He was also a trained architect and later became the mayor of Ponce.
The building was shown off at the fair. After the fair ended, this unique pavilion was turned into a fire station. The first firefighters started working there on February 2, 1883. In 1885, its official name became Estación de Bomberos de Ponce, which means "Ponce Fire Station."
In 1920, the building was even used as the Mayor's office for a short time. This happened after a big earthquake in 1918 damaged many buildings in the city.
A Symbol for the City of Ponce
The Parque de Bombas has been an important cultural place in Ponce since 1885. Its bright red and black colors represent the city itself. Its special style shows that Ponce is a lively and modern cultural center.
In 1967, the city of Ponce designed its flag using the red and black colors of this famous firehouse. The Fireman's Band used to play weekly concerts from a stage on the second floor of the Parque de Bombas. This band is now called the Ponce Municipal Band. They still play every Sunday evening, though in different places. These concerts, called "Retretas," are a cherished tradition in Ponce.
A message at the Parque de Bombas says: "This building is a symbol... of the importance given by the people of Ponce to the service, dedication, and courage of the Ponce Firefighters Corps." This shows how much the community values its firefighters.
In 1960, a new fire station was built nearby. This new building became the main fire station for Ponce. The Parque de Bombas then took on a smaller role. In 1990, after 108 years of service, the firefighters moved out. The building was then turned into a museum about firefighting.
What the Building Looks Like
The building is about 65 feet wide and 26 feet long. It has two stories and a tower at each front corner. It stands in the city's main "Las Delicias Plaza" and is connected to the Ponce Cathedral at the back.
It is a wooden building with a sloped roof made of metal sheets. The outside walls are made of wooden planks. The doors and windows are also made of wood. The windows are tall and narrow, with decorative fan shapes at the top.
Inside, there is a large central area. This space was used as a garage for fire trucks. On each side, there are two towers that are two stories high. These towers were used as living areas for firefighters and for displays. A fancy stairway with metal railings leads to a middle floor. This area was used for offices. When the building became a fire station, some walls were removed to make room for the fire trucks. The building has been kept in great shape over the years.
Its Unique Design
The architect, Máximo de Meana, designed the building with a strong Moorish style. This includes its rectangular shape with towers, its fancy front, and its long, narrow windows. The building is painted bright red and black, which are Ponce's official colors.
The inside is also very colorful. It has red and orange stripes on the walls. There is also a painted border with pictures of firefighters. This unique design also has influences from Gothic Revival architecture.
Visiting the Museum
Today, the Parque de Bombas is a museum dedicated to firefighting. You can visit it to learn about the history of firefighters in Ponce. The architect who helped restore it for the museum was Pablo Ojeda O'Neill. The old fire station that replaced Parque de Bombas was later taken over by the Instituto de Música Juan Morel Campos in 2008. Ponce's main fire station is now located about 1 kilometer east of the Parque de Bombas.
Images for kids
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Parque de Bombas, photo of 1920
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Parque de Bombas, 1977. Library of Congress.
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See also
In Spanish: Parque de Bombas para niños
