Parque de Bombas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Parque de Bombas de Ponce
|
|
Old Parque de Bombas firehouse building
|
|
 Location in Puerto Rico
|
|
| Location | Plaza Las Delicias Ponce, Puerto Rico |
|---|---|
| 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 very old building in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It used to be a fire station. Many people think it is one of the most famous buildings in Puerto Rico. Some even say it's the easiest landmark to recognize on the island.
You can find the Parque de Bombas in the Plaza Las Delicias town square. It is right behind the Ponce Cathedral. The building was first built in 1882 for a special exhibition. Later, it became Puerto Rico's very first fire station. In 1990, the fire station closed down. It was then turned into a museum. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 12, 1984.
Contents
Discover the History of Parque de Bombas
The Parque de Bombas building was first created for a big trade fair in 1882. It was the main display building. The government in Madrid asked a Spanish Army officer to design and build it. His name was Lieutenant Colonel Maximo de Meana y Guridi. He was also a trained architect. Later, he even became the Mayor of Ponce.
The building was shown off at the fair. After the fair ended, it became a fire station. The first firefighters started working there on February 2, 1883. In 1885, its official name changed to Estación de Bomberos de Ponce. This means "Ponce Fire Station."
In 1920, the building was used for a short time as the Mayor's office. This happened because of a big earthquake in 1918. The earthquake affected the city a lot.
In 1967, the city of Ponce designed its flag. The flag uses the red and black colors from this famous firehouse. The Fireman's Band used to play concerts every week. They played from an open stage on the second floor of Parque de Bombas. Now, this band is called the Ponce Municipal Band. They still play every Sunday evening, but in different places. On May 12, 1960, a new fire station was built nearby. This new building became the main fire station for Ponce. The Parque de Bombas then became a secondary fire station.
Why Parque de Bombas is Important to Ponce
Since 1885, Parque de Bombas has been a very important part of Ponce's culture. Its red and black colors represent the city itself. Its unique style shows that Ponce is a lively and modern cultural center. The Banda Municipal de Ponce (Ponce Municipal Band) used to be the Fireman's Band. They played weekly concerts from the Parque de Bombas. Now, they continue to play every Sunday evening. These concerts are called "Retretas." They are a special cultural tradition in Ponce.
The building's unusual look also honors the brave firefighters of Ponce. It reminds everyone of their history. An important message is written at Parque de Bombas. It says that the building is a symbol. It shows how much the people of Ponce value their firefighters. It honors their service, selflessness, and courage. That is why the Ponce Firefighters Corps stays in the city's heart, in this plaza. In 1943, the Firemen Services of Puerto Rico was created. Their main jobs are to put out fires and prevent them. They also help people during natural disasters and other emergencies.
What Parque de Bombas Looks Like
The main part of the building is about 65 feet wide and 26 feet long. It has two floors. There is a tower at each front corner of the building. The building is in the city's main square, called "Las Delicias Plaza." It is connected to the Cathedral of Ponce at its back.
The building is made of wood. It has a sloped roof covered with galvanized zinc sheets. The outside walls are made of horizontal wooden boards. The doors and windows are also made of wood. The windows have fixed louvered slats. They are long and narrow. They have a large, fixed fan-shaped window above them.
Inside, there is a large central area. Two towers are on either side of this area. They are two stories high and open into the main space. The central area was used as a garage for fire trucks. The two side towers were used as living areas and for displays. A beautiful two-sided staircase with fancy cast iron railings leads to a mezzanine area. This area was used for offices. Some walls on the first floor were removed. This was done to make space for the fire trucks when the building became a fire station. The building has been kept in good shape over the years.
The Unique Architecture of Parque de Bombas
Maximo de Meana designed the building with a strong Moorish style. This style includes its rectangular shape and towers at the front corners. It also features its fancy front, long, narrow windows, and bright colors. Gothic revival style also influenced the design. The building is painted red and black. These are the official colors of Ponce. The inside is also very colorful. It has vertical stripes of red and orange on the walls. There is also a painted design with a fireman's motif (a repeated pattern).
Parque de Bombas: Now a Museum
After 108 years of service, the Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps moved out of Parque de Bombas in 1990. The building was then turned into a museum about firefighting. Pablo Ojeda O'Neill was the architect who helped restore it. The newer fire station building was 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 Parque de Bombas. It is on Miguel Pou Boulevard.
See also
In Spanish: Parque de Bombas para niños
