Ponce Fire House Museum Foundation: Ponce's (PON-sai) historical importance goes back to the migratory period of the clans and pre-Columbian groups (archaic, ingeris, pre-Taíno and Taíno) . These settled in the southwestern region of the country (between Ponce and Cabo Rojo) and founded the chieftainship of Guainía. The chief of this territory was Agüeybaná that, according to the chroniclers of the era was the chief of greatest authority in the Island.     In 1493 the Genoese admiral Christopher Columbus arrives at our coasts, but it was not until 1508 when the conquest of the Island began. It was through the southern region of Puerto Rico where our first Spanish governor Juan Ponce de León arrived. The city was named in his honor.     In the first years of the colonization, along the riviera of the Jacaguas river, the first Spanish families populated the area that today occupies the Independent Municipality of Ponce. Soon, this group, in search of greater security, settled in the fertile plains on the flanks of the river that the Indians called Barayama (today, Portugués river). Later, in 1670, they erected a small hermitage under the protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Around this same period the town was developed, officially recognized in 1692.     During the course of the eighteenth century and first half of the nineteenth century, Ponce experienced changes that were preparing it for the directive role that the population would take on from second half of the nineteenth century. From that time the population was growing, thus expanding its urban contour; progress that occurred in spite of the catastrophes (fires, storms, tremors and others) that to a certain extent prevented it. Another occurrence of significance at the time was the establishment of the first sugar cane mills in the region.     This factor was the base for the conversion of Ponce in an economic center of great importance in the southern region. This flourishing activity was in headed by a foreign landowner class, that by means of the slavery system converted the fertile grounds of Ponce into the main agricultural center of the country. Evidence of that economic development was always the well remembered Ponce Exhibition Fair of 1882, where the agricultural and industrial advances of Ponce and Puerto Rico were displayed. Today we have left from that period the Pavilion that today lodges the Fire House Museum.     In contrast to the living conditions that reigned in the island, Ponce emerged from town to villa (1848) and from villa to city (1877), until becoming what the historians of the country distinguished as the turn-of-the-century Alternative Capital of Puerto Rico.     During the second half of XIX century Ponce had become a progressive city-the economic, cultural and intellectual center of the south; some assert it was that center of the country. The main political figures of the country would congregate here to direct the changes that the colony demanded: assimilation, autonomy or separation. In the cultural scope, music, theater, opera, literary movements and journalism found in Ponce important means of expression.     At the end of XIX century, Ponce was a mosaic of diverse groups: Creoles, peninsulars, blacks, mulattos and other non-Hispanic European immigrants. On the other hand, its urban contour reflected the diversity of its citizens. It was the union of the human and physical element which gave Ponce its own profile that distinguished it from the rest of Puerto Rico; and which gave it its alternative character in contrast with the capital, San Juan.     This factor was the base for the conversion of Ponce in an economic center of great importance in the southern region. This flourishing activity was in headed by a foreign landowner class, that by means of the slavery system converted the fertile grounds of Ponce into the main agricultural center of the country. Evidence of that economic development was always the well remembered Ponce Exhibition Fair of 1882, where the agricultural and industrial advances of Ponce and Puerto Rico were exposed; and we have still have left the Pavilion that today lodges the Fire House Museum.     As opposed to the conditions of life that reigned in the Island, Ponce emerged from town to villa (1848) and from villa to city (1877), until becoming which the historians of the country distinguished Ponce as the turn-of-the-century Alternating Capital of Puerto Rico.     During the second half of XIX century Ponce had become a progressive city and the economic, cultural and intellectual center of the south; and there are some who affirm that of the country. The main political figures of the country would congregated, to direct the changes that the colony demanded, be it assimilation, autonomy or separation. In the cultural scope, music, theater, opera, literary movements and the journalistic task found in the City important means of expression.     At the end of XIX century, Ponce was a mosaic of diverse groups: Creoles, peninsulars, blacks, mulattos and other non Hispanic European immigrants. On the other hand, its urban contour reflected the idiosyncrasy of its citizens. It was the union of the human and physical element which gave Ponce its own profile that distinguished it from the rest of the Island; and which gave simultaneously the alternating character in contrast with the capital, San Juan. Source: Extract from "Ponce y Su Importancia Histórica" www.ponceweb.org Location: It is bordered by: Peñuelas on the west; Adjuntas on the nortwest; Utuado and Jayuya on the north; and Juana Díaz on the east. Area: 278.4 sq km / 116.0 sq mi Population: 186,475 (census 2000) Population Density: 669.8 per sq km / 1,607.5 per sq mi People are known as: Ponceños Ponce is also known as: La Perla del Sur (Pearl of the South) Ciudad Señorial (Majestic City) Wards: Census 2000: Population by Wards - Ponce Habitants Anón 1,669 Bucaná 3,963 Canas 34,065 Canas Urbano 21,482 Capitanejo 1,404 Cerrillos 4,284 Coto Laurel 5,285 Cuarto 3,011 Guaraguao 1,017 Machuelo Abajo 13,302 Machuelo Arriba 13,727 Magueyes 6,134 Magueyes Urbano 1,332 Maragüez 754 Marueño 1,474 Monte Llano 462 Playa 16,926 Portugués 4,882 Portugués Urbano 5,886 Primero 3,550 Quebrada Limón 804 Quinto 724 Real 3,139 Sabanetas 6,420 San Antón 11,271 San Patricio 465 Segundo 11,321 Sexto 4,745 Tercero 773 Tibes 866 Vayas 1,338 Total 186,475 Source: Census 2000 Political Division - Administrative: Senatorial District # 5 Ponce represented by Hon. Modesto Agosto Alicea (PPD) and Hon. Bruno A. Ramos Olivero (PPD). Representative District # 24 & 25 represented by Hon. Roberto Cruz Rodríguez # 24 (PPD) and Hon. Piro Reyes #25 (PPD). Matron: Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe Parish Plaza de las Delicias P.O. Box 32210 Ponce, P.R. 00732-2210 (787) 842-0134 Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe Parish Climate: Ponce's climate is tropical semidesert. The annual precipitation average on the coast is 36 inches, in the interior 48 inches, and to the north close to the Central Mountain Range, 60 inches. Its temperature also varies within its ample geography. The coast has an annual average of 79°, the interior 76°, and in the mountains 72°. Topography: Geographically classified among the municipalities that belong to the Southern Coastal Plain, towards the north runs the Central Mountain Range. Hydrography: Several gorges and rivers flow through the zone; most of them are intermittent courses. Most important is the Portugués river that flows through the urban zone. In the past it caused floods but it has been canalsh ave been dug to control the flow. It drains in the Bucana river and flow together into the port. The Cañas river runs by the west side and takes water from the Pastillo. The Cerrillos river flows from the Central Mountain Range and is dammed forming the reservoir of the same name. Futher down is the Bronce dam. Both dams are used for agriculture and domestic irrigation. In its beach the salt water Cucharas Lagoon is located. Economy: Commerce, tourism, manufacture (consumer products, clothing & cement) and customer services. Average Salary: $296.21 weekly (1998) Flag: Above the traditional red and black colors of Ponce the shield of the city. The five tower gold crown indicates that Ponce is a city by royal decree. As an exterior frame to shield, we have interlaced, a sugar cane plant on the right and to the left a coffee tree branch. These products symbolize the principal economic means of the city in 1887, year that King Alfonso XII granted the right to become a city. Coat Of Arms: The shield of Ponce is divided by a diagonal line that crosses straight from the superior end to the left inferior end. In this divided field is the color red, that covers the superior right portion, symbol of fire and strength and the black that covers the left inferior portion representing the night, repentance, prudence and modesty. On that black and red background is a yellow lion with black mane, walking towards the left of the shield, facing - looking - towards the right. The lion is on a bridge that is a representation of the rivers. The shield is bordered by a coffee plant branch and a sugar cane plant, crops that in their time were of great importance for the town. Ponce public schools. Name Level Telephone Address ANDRÉS GRILLASCA SALAS Elementary (787) 842-6414 PO Box 119 ANSELMO RIVERA MATOS Elementary (787) 843-7938 PO Box 2000 Suite 18 CERRILLO HOYOS Elementary (787) 848-8793 PMB 025 DR. JOSÉ C. BARBOSA Elementary (787) 842-8671 PO Box 334586 HERMINIA GARCÍA Elementary (787) 840-6455 9 Calle E JOSÉ GAUTIER BENÍTEZ Elementary (787) 844-3035 PO Box 7856 JOSÉ JULIÁN ACOSTA Elementary (787) 842-5175 PO Box 7856 JUAN MOREL CAMPOS Elementary (787) 842-5343 Calle León Final JULIO COLLAZO Elementary (787) 843-7939 PO Box 2000 Suite 18 LA YUCA Elementary (787) 843-4776 PO Box 6805 LAS MONJITAS Elementary (787) 843-1212 PO Box 662 LAS RAÍCES Elementary (787) 842-4418 Suite 295 LIZZIE GRAHAM Elementary (787) 842-0255 PO Box 10756 LLANOS DEL SUR Elementary (787) 848-1105 PO Box 839 LUIS MUÑOZ RIVERA I Elementary (787) 841-6008 PO Box 2000 Suite 21 LUIS MUÑOZ RIVERA II Elementary (787) 843-1715 G-6 Villa Esperanza MONTE LLANOS Elementary (787) 843-5910 PO Box 2000 Suite 18 PARCELAS REAL Elementary (787) 842-3007 Suite 295 PEDRO J. FOURNIER Elementary (787) 842-8974 Suite 295 RAMIRO COLÓN COLÓN Elementary (787) 842-0376 10 Calle Lolita Tizol RODULFO DEL VALLE Elementary (787) 844-1265 Drawer 459 ROMÁN BALDORIOTY DE CASTRO Elementary (787) 843-2235 PO Box 336504 SANTA TERESITA Elementary (787) 841-4949 Calle 23 Esquina 24 SIMON MORET GALLART Elementary (787) 843-5154 PO Box 7856 TOMÁS CARRIÓN MADURO Elementary (787) 843-7280 301C Drawer 477 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Elementary (787) 842-0117 46 Campeche ÁNGELA CORDERO BERNARD Elementary (787) 844-4020 PO Box 7496 ÁUREA E. RIVERA COLLAZO Elementary (787) 841-0328 PO Box 8643 CAPITANEJO Elementary (787) 837-6302 PO Box 566 CARMEN MEDINA ANAYA Elementary (787) 841-1214 PO Box 7393 CARMEN SOLÁ DE PEREIRA Elementary (787) 841-6411 PO Box 10685 DR. RAFAEL LÓPEZ NUSSA Elementary (787) 842-7170 PO Box 10577 DR. RAMÓN E. BETANCES Elementary (787) 844-8651 PMB 248 PO Box 7105 EUGENIO MARÍA DE HOSTOS Elementary (787) 844-5884 2049 Eduardo Ruberte FERNANDO L. MALAVÉ OLIVERAS Elementary (787) 843-2048 PO Box 7851 FRANCISCO PARRA DUPERON Elementary (787) 842-5257 PO Box 7105 JAIME L. DREW Elementary (787) 842-7343 PO Box 7025 JOAQUÍN FERRAN Elementary (787) 842-0014 PO Box 7105 JOSEFINA BOYA LEÓN Elementary (787) 840-3770 PO Box 464 JUAN CUEVAS ABOY Elementary (787) 843-3895 PO Box 7571 JULIA CORDERO NEGRÓN Elementary (787) 843-8248 PO Box 7855 JULIO ALVARADO Elementary (787) 844-7048 PO Box 10091 LIBRADO NET Elementary (787) 842-6395 Urb. San Antonio 50 Calle LUCY GRILLASCA Elementary (787) 842-4010 1615 Ave. Eduardo Ruberte MERCEDES P SERRALLÉS Elementary (787) 843-6170 PO Box 566 OLIMPIO OTERO Elementary (787) 842-5197 440 Calle Villa Final PARCELAS MAGUEYES Elementary (787) 843-4403 PO Box 7025 PARCELAS MARUEÑO Elementary (787) 841-5332 PO Box 7025 SEGUNDO RUIZ BELVIS Elementary (787) 840-3400 PO Box 30268 ANTONIO PAOLI Intermediate (787) 844-0615 PO Box 6960 DR. RAFAEL PUJALS Intermediate (787) 840-4600 PO Box 330726 ERNESTO RAMOS ANTONINI Intermediate (787) 843-2336 PO Box 7856 JARDINES DE PONCE Intermediate (787) 844-3400 LA Rambla Suite 394 JUAN SERRALLÉS (INTERMEDIA) Intermediate (787) 848-2005 PO Box 1073 MANUEL GONZÁLEZ PATO Intermediate (787) 841-7216 301 C Suite 395 DR. PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS Intermediate (787) 841-2548 PO Box 7393 EDUARDO NEUMANN GANDIA Intermediate (787) 840-0112 PO Box 7025 EUGENIO LE COMPTE Intermediate (787) 844-4552 PO Box 7091 HEMETERIO COLÓN Intermediate (787) 840-3500 21 Calle Concordia ISMAEL MALDONADO LUGARO Intermediate (787) 843-2135 PO Box 263 SANTIAGO GONZÁLEZ Intermediate (787) 842-5028 PO Box 7025 SOR ISÓLINA FERRE Intermediate (787) 840-6075 PO Box 30067 INSTITUTO TECN. PS - Institute (787) 843-0935 PO Box 7284 FEDERICO DEGETAU Y GONZÁLEZ Secondary (787) 842-6178 PO Box 336217 ROSARIO LA TORRE MORALES Secondary (787) 843-5099 PO Box 7226 JUAN SERRALLÉS High School (787) 848-5274 PO Box 1136 JARDINES DE PONCE High School (787) 840-7785 PO Box 780 THOMAS ARMSTRONG TORO High School (787) 844-3388 PO Box 336921 BERNARDINO CORDERO BERNARD High School (787) 842-7091 PO Box 10478 BETHZAIDA VELÁSQUEZ High School (787) 284-1080 PO Box 7636 DR. ALFREDO M. AGUAYO High School (787) 843-1305 137 Avenida Hostos DR. PILA High School (787) 840-4800 PO Box 2238 PONCE HIGH SCHOOL High School (787) 842-4156 PO Box 109 BELLAS ARTES DE PONCE All Levels (787) 259-737 20 Calle Tizol CENTRO DE SERVICIOS EDUCATIVOS All Levels (787) 844-0965 PO Box 336837 JUAN MOREL CAMPOS (MÚSICA) All Levels (787) 842-3974 PO Box 4087 RAMÓN MARÍN All Levels (787) 842-1371 PO Box 10788 Suite 188 Source: Departamento De Educación Hymn: Author Dr. Angel Luis Rodríguez Rosado ¡Oh, Ponce! En mi corazón cuando oigo tu nombre yo siento el rugido de un fiero león. Borinque nunca olvidará que al son de la danza, la bomba y la plena la hiciste bailar. Tu Parque de Bombas es ya templo de una historia que tu Vieja Ceiba ha visto pasar... ¡Ponce! Siempre serás tú joya que mirarte habrá que llamarte La Perla del Sur. Tu rojo y negro pabellón bandera es de gloria que en toda victoria es tu inspiración. Tu Parque de la Abolición recuerda la lucha de tus bravos hijos por la libertad. En coche quiero disfrutar las dulces quenepas y ver tus encantos Ciudad Señorial... ¡Ponce! Siempre serás tú joya que al mirarte habrá que llamarte La Perla del Sur. Events: Regional Artesan Fair - March Ponce Beach Festival - May San Antón Bomba Festival - July Matron Celebrations- December Places To Visit: Serrallés Castle Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe Cathedral Tibes Ceremonial Indian Center Ponce Traditional Urban Center El Vigía Buena Vista Hacienda La Guancha Ponce Art Museum Casa Paoli Museum Historia Ponce Massacre Museum Fire House Ponce Plaza Distinguished Citizens: Alfredo M. Aguayo - Educator & writer Pedro Albizu Campos -Nationalist Lider (biography) María Teresa Babí - Professor Federico Degetau - Politic & writer Ruth Fernández - Singer & Legislator Luis A. Ferré - Engineer, pianist, founder of the Partido Nuevo Progresista, Senate President & of Puerto Rico. (biography) José Julio Henna - Doctor Rafael Hernández Colón - Lawyer, Secretary of Justice, Senate Presidente & Governor of Puerto Rico. Antonio S. Luchetti - Public servant, engineer Juan Morel Campos - Composer & musician (biography) Luis Ernesto Ramos Yordán - Doctor & Legislator (biography) Ponce Mayors 1692 - Present Year Mayor Year Mayor 1692 Don Pedro Sánchez de Mathos 1871 Miguel Arribas 1701 Din Dámaso de Toro 1872 Coronel Elicio Berriz 1706 Don Aurelio Juan Ramírez de Arellano 1872 Francisco Arce y Romero 1710 Don Joseph de Toro 1872 Alejandro Albizu 1766 Don Francisco Ortíz de la Renta 1873-1874 Juan Cortada y Quitana 1800 Don Joseph Benítez 1874-1875 Rafael León y García 1812 Joseph Ortíz de la Renta 1875-1876 Coronel Serafín Donderis 1814 Joseph de Toro 1874 Pedro Rosaly 1815 Joseph Ortíz de la Renta 1876-1879 Juan José Cartagena 1816 Alejandro Ordóñez 1879-1880 Coronel Lucas Jiménez 1819 Juan Dávila 1880-1881 Coronel José Mileris 1820 Francisco Vasallo 1881 Juan José Cartagena 1820 Joaquín Martínez 1881-1882 Andrés Caparrós y García 1820 Joseph de Toro 1882-1884 Tnte. Coronel Máximo Meana y Guridi 1820 Joseph Ortíz de la Renta 1884-1886 Rafael de Zárate y Sequera 1821 Joseph Casimiro Ortíz de la Renta 1886-1887 Ramón Elices Montes 1821 Joaquín Tellechea 1887 Ermelindo Salazar 1821 Joseph Casimiro Ortíz de la Renta 1887-1888 Fernando Díaz de Ulzurrum y Somellera 1822 Joseph Molina 1888 Juan de Ponte 1822 Joseph Mercado 1888-1889 Vicente de Solivares y Miera 1823 Joseph Ortíz de la Renta 1889-1890 Miguel Rosich y Mass 1826 Tomás Pérez Guerra 1890-1892 Carlos Eusebio de Ayo 1827-1835 Julián Villodas 1893-1894 José de Nonvilas de Vilar 1836 Juan de Dios Conde 1894-1895 Eduardo Armstrong 1837 Joseph Ortíz de la Renta 1895 Félix Saurí y Vivas 1838 Patricio Colón 1895-1896 Juan José Potous 1839 Juan de Dios Conde 1896-1897 Comandante Luis Alvarado 1840-1842 Salvador de Vives 1897 Miguel Rosich y Mass 1842 Joseph Ortíz de la Renta 1897-1898 Luis Gautier (hasta junio 20) 1843 Juan Rondón 1898 Ulpiano Colón 1843 Joseph Ortíz de la Renta 1898 José Lloréns Echevarría 1844-1845 Salvador de Vives 1898 Luis Porrata Doria 1845 Antonio Corro 1899 Mr. Meyer 1845 José Zaldo 1900 Pedro Juan Rosaly 1846 Antonio Corro 1901 José de Guzmán Benítez 1846 Joseph Ortíz de la Renta 1902 Enrique Chevalier 1846 Joseph de Jesús Fernández 1903 Antonio Arias 1847 David Laporte 1904 Manuel V. Domenech 1847 Francisco Romero 1905 Luis P. Valdivieso 1848 Juan Lacot 1906 Santiago Oppenheimer 1848 José María Quesada 1907-1914 Simón Moret 1849 Juan Prats 1915-1917 Rafael Rivera Esbri 1849 Esteban Vidal 1917-1918 L. Yordán Dávila 1849 Juan Prats 1918-1920 Rodulfo del Valle 1850-1851 Flavius Dede 1921-1923 Francisco Parra Capó 1851 Manuel Cedeño de Poveda 1924-1925 Abelardo Aguilú, Jr. 1851 Guillermo Neumann 1925-1928 Guillermo Vivas Valdivieso 1851-1854 Coronel Vicente Julbe 1929-1933 Emilio Fagot 1854 Julio Duboc 1933-1937 Blas Oliveras 1854 Escolástico Fuentes 1937-1941 José Tormos Diego 1854 Pablo Manfredi 1941-1956 Andrés Grillasca Salas 1854 José Benito Paz Falcón 1956 José Dapena Laguna 1854 Antonio E. Molina 1957-1961 Carlos Juan Cintrón 1854-1856 Coronel Félix O'Neil 1961-1964 Juan Luis Boscio 1856 Pedro Juan Capó 1964-1968 Eduardo Ruberté Biso 1857-1863 Hilarión Pérez Guerra 1968-1972 Juan H. Cintrón García 1863-1865 Coronel Luis de Quixano y Font de la Vall 1972-1976 Luis A. Morales 1865 Francisco Olazarra 1976-1984 José G. Tormos Vega 1866 Francisco Carreras 1986-1988 José Dapena Thompson 1866 Francisco Romero 1989-2004 Rafael Cordero Santiago 1866 Carlos Cabrera 2004- 2005 Delis Castillo de Santiago 1866-1867 Coronel Enrique O'Neil 2005 - Present Francisco (Ico) Zayas Seijo 1867-1868 Demetrio Santaella     1869-1870 Coronel Elicio Berriz     1871-1871 Vicente Pérez Valdivieso     Source: Municipality of Ponce Mayor: Hon. Francisco Zayas Seijo P.O. Box 331709 Ponce, P.R. 00733-1709 (787) 284- 4141 Ponce Oficial Website       2004 General Election Results Municipality of Ponce Party Candidate Votes Percent   FRANCISCO 'ICO' ZAYAS SEIJO 47,808 55.67% ALEJANDRO ROMAN 35,353 41.17% LUIS E. 'FLECHA' RODRIGUEZ 1,971 2.30% *OTHERS 740 0.86% Total 85,872   Breakdown of Others   Reported Voting Centers Participation Direct Nomination 43   Registered Voters 112,562 Blank 457   Votes 85,872 Null 240   Participation Percent 76.29% Reported Voting Centers: 357 out of 357 for 100.00%   Total Registered 112,562 Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico