Universidad of Puerto Rico

Foundation: What is known today as Río Piedras in the past had its origin as a settlement called El Roble along the shores of the Piedras river. Originally it was known as the Village or Villa del Roble. The official foundation took place in 1714 under the name of El Roble with the authorization of governor Juan de Rivera. The name derives from the Piedras river that crosses it.
    In the 1832 Río Piedras was constituted by four wards: Roble (pueblo), Cupey, Caimito and Monacillos. In 1823 the municipal government made a request to governor Miguel de la Torre to aprove the purchase of land for the formation of an urban zone. The land was divided and granted to people who were interested in constructing homes. Such action brought as consequence the formation of streets and alleys, giving the appearance of an urban zone within the countryside.
    The first settlers dedicated themselves to the harvest of sugarcane, cotton, coffee, casabe and other fruits, but generally they were dedicated to cattle raising in order to supply the Capital's need for beef. The Vannina Sugar Mill contributed to the economy with its sugar production.
    In 1903 the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) was founded in the outskirts of the town of Río Piedras. It is known as "University City" because it is home of the biggest and oldest university institution of the Island. The construction of the first university of Puerto Rico, as well as its fresh water bodies and abundant farms called the attention of many causing the small town to grow.
    The advantages of transport as well as its natural resources woke up the Capital's interest for annexation and on July 1, 1951 under project # 177 Río Piedras was annexed to San Juan thus losing its character of municipality.



Location: It is located to the south of the Santurce ward of San Juan. It borders west with Guaynabo, east with Carolina and Trujillo Alto and south with Aguas Buenas, Caguas and Gurabo.

Population: 332,344 (census 2000)

People are known as: Riopedrenses

Río Piedras is also known as:

Cuidad Universitaria (University City) Ciudad del Roble (Oak City)

Wards of the disappeared municipality of Río Piedras: