Guánica Light (Spanish: Faro de Guánica) was a historic lighthouse located in the municipality of Guánica, Puerto Rico in the Guánica State Forest. It was first lit in 1893 and deactivated in 1950.[3] The light marked the entrance to Guánica Bay and bridged the gap between Los Morrillos Light and Caja de Muertos Light.
 The lighthouse ca. 1898 | |
 | |
| Location | Guánica, Puerto Rico |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 17°57′3″N 66°54′11″W / 17.95083°N 66.90306°W |
| Tower | |
| Construction | brick and cement blocks tower |
| Shape | octagonal tower with balcony and lantern |
| Heritage | National Register of Historic Places listed place  |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1893 |
| Deactivated | 1950 |
| Lens | Sixth-order Fresnel |
Faro de Guanica[a] | |
| MPS | Lighthouse System of Puerto Rico TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001549[3] |
On July 25, 1898, lighthouse keeper Robustiano Rivera spotted the convoy of the American forces that initiated the landing offensive of the Puerto Rican Campaign during the Spanish–American War. He immediately gave the alert to the residents of Guánica and marched to Yauco where he broke the news of the invading forces to the city's mayor.[4][5]
By 2009, the lighthouse was practically in ruins, though some parts of its unique architectural elements were still visible.[6] It was listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1981,[3] and on the Puerto Rico Register of Historic Sites and Zones in 2000.[7]
A series of earthquakes that occurred in January 2020 in Puerto Rico further damaged the Guánica lighthouse.[8]
-
Guanica Lighthouse in 2014 -
2015
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ The light's name is presented here without the accent on "Guánica" in conformance with the usage in the light's National Register nomination form[1] and Federal Register announcement of listing.[2]
References
edit- ^ Tarr, J. A. (August 1976), National Register of Historic Places Inventory — Nomination Form: Faro de Guanica (Lighthouse) (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on November 17, 2015, retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ "Department of the Interior, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service: National Register of Historic Places; Annual Listing of Historic Properties", 44 FR 7416 (February 6, 1979), at 7581.
- ^ a b c "Inventory of Historic Light Stations National Park Service". Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ^ "El desembarco en Guánica". 1898 La Guerra Hispano Americana en Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ^ "Guánica Lighthouse Ruins". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- ^ "Lighthouses Friends". Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ^ GOBIERNO DE PUERTO RICO, JUNTA DE PLANIFICACIÓN DE PUERTO RICO (December 7, 2022). "REGISTRO DE PROPIEDADES DESIGNADAS POR LA JUNTA DE PLANIFICACIÓN DE PUERTO RICO" (PDF). jp.pr.gov.
- ^ "Sismo deteriora el histórico faro de Guánica". Primera Hora. 6 January 2020.
External links
edit- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. PR-14, "Faro del Puerto de Guanica, Punta Meseta, Guanica, Guanica Municipio, PR", 19 photos, 3 data pages, 1 photo caption page
 | This article about a Puerto Rican building or structure related topic is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article relating to a United States lighthouse is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |