Quebradillas, Puerto Rico

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Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Main other Quebradillas (Script error: No such module "IPA"., Script error: No such module "IPA".) is a town and municipality of the island of Puerto Rico located in the northern shore bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of San Sebastián; east of Isabela; and west of Camuy. Quebradillas is spread over seven barrios and Quebradillas Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Quebradillas is called "La Guarida del Pirata" (The Pirate's Hideout). A well-known beach in the area, Puerto Hermina, is home to an old structure known to have been a hiding place for pirates and their contraband.

History

The town was founded in 1823 by Felipe Ruiz. There were many factors that cause the inhabitants of this territory of Puerto Rico to be independent from the towns that formed the Hato de la Tuna resulting in the formation of a new municipality. The town lacked chapels or churches, religious services nor priests, a place to bury the dead, a post office, and quality roads to transport. They relied on the neighboring municipalities of Camuy, Hatillo and Isabela. This would however be a problem during the rainy seasons when the Río Camuy and Río Guajataca water level rose resulting in closed off passage to the other municipalities and would sometimes take up to a week for the water level to return to normal. This led the residents of the area to organize a corporation that would look after the political, economic and administrative interests of "Las Quebradillas" and its jurisdiction.[1] This town derives its name from the large number of streams flowing through it. Quebradillas means "small streams".

Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became a territory of the United States. In 1899, the United States Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Quebradillas was 7,432.

On September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria struck the island of Puerto Rico. In Quebradillas, 800 concrete barriers had to be built to stabilize the Guajataca reservoir which suffered a structural failure and was causing a "life-threatening situation".[2][3][4] "It’s a structural failure. I don’t have any more details," Governor Ricardo Rosselló stated. "We’re trying to evacuate as many people as possible."[4] Rosselló ordered the Puerto Rico National Guard and the Police to help assist in the evacuation effort downstream.[5] The dam lies across the Guajataca River to form a reservoir that can hold roughly 11 billion gallons of water.[6]

In Quebradillas, infrastructure and about 2200 homes were damaged or completely destroyed.[7]

Geography

File:Guajatacatunel.jpg
The coastline and Guajataca Tunnel at Guajataca Beach

Quebradillas, located in the Northern Karst, borders on the Atlantic Ocean, is north of San Sebastián; east of Isabela, and west of Camuy. Quebradillas is home to one of the 20 designated forest preserves in Puerto Rico, the Guajataca State Forest. The forest serves as a great example of an unusual topography known as karst country. Karst is characterized by dissolved limestone formations such as sinkholes and haystack-shaped hills known as "mogotes". It is also home to the beautiful man-made reservoir, Guajataca Lake (Template:Convert long), where you can fish for largemouth bass, peacock bass, tilapia and bluegill (in Spanish known as "chopa"). You can also go hiking or camping. The Puerto Rico Council of the Boy Scouts of America maintains a campground on the lake known as Camp Guajataka. The name Guajataca comes from the name Wahataka, a Taíno chief who lived in this area. This Indian chief also gives his name to Guajataca Beach to the north where Río Guajataca flowing from Guajataca Lake meets the Atlantic Ocean. Guajataca Beach is popular with surfers and is known for its white sands and wild waves. This beach is ideal for sunning and collecting seashells.[8]

Barrios

File:Quebradillas, Puerto Rico locator map.png
Subdivisions of Quebradillas.

Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Quebradillas is subdivided into barrios. The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a barrio referred to as Script error: No such module "Lang"..[9][10][11]

  1. Cacao
  2. Charcas
  3. Cocos
  4. Guajataca
  5. Quebradillas barrio-pueblo[12]
  6. San Antonio
  7. San José
  8. Terranova

Sectors

Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". Barrios (which are like minor civil divisions)[12] are further subdivided into smaller areas called Script error: No such module "Lang". (sectors in English). The types of sectores may vary, from normally sector to urbanización to reparto to barriada to residencial, among others.[13][14][15]

Special Communities

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Script error: No such module "Lang". (Special Communities of Puerto Rico) are marginalized communities whose citizens are experiencing a certain amount of social exclusion. A map shows these communities occur in nearly every municipality of the commonwealth. Of the 742 places that were on the list in 2014, the following barrios, communities, sectors, or neighborhoods were in Quebradillas: Guajataca, Montadero, Parcelas Italas in Terranova, San Antonio, and Sector Las Piedras Barrio Cocos.[16]

Climate

The general climate of the town is tropical.

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Demographics

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Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

File:El Arca de Noe, former private zoo in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico.jpg
Welcome sign for Script error: No such module "Lang". (Noah's Ark), a former private zoo in Quebradillas

There are 6 beaches in Quebradillas.[17]

The town of Quebradillas had a private zoo called Script error: No such module "Lang". (Noah's Ark), which was in operation for about 50 years. In 2012 it was closed after its owners turned 90 years old and could no longer care for the animals, as a result they were moved to the Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo.[18][19] The town also had El Museo de Muñecas (Quebradillas Doll Museum) which housed over 1,000 Barbie dolls in Cocos.

The main attractions of Quebradillas are:

  • El Merendero (Scenic Park and Ocean Look-Out)
  • Miradero Guajataca
  • Guajataca Lake Reservoir
  • The Liberty Theater (downtown)[20]
  • Puerto Hermina Beach Pirate Ruins[21] contains rock carvings such as La Cabeza del Indio (The Indian Face)
  • Puente Blanco (an old railway bridge)
  • Casa Rafols-Iribas, site of Casa de la Cultura Cacique Mabodamaca (non-profit organization dedicated to preserve the culture, the arts and the historical sites of the town of Quebradillas)
  • Los Chorritos Pirata Aquatic Park
  • The municipal mini golf course

Economy

Business

A small shopping center called Quebradillas Plaza is located in this municipality.

An event which negatively affected the region in the decade of the 1990s was the disappearance of tax exemptions to the private corporations Section 936 of the code of the US Internal Revenue Service, which at the time was the resulted in the closure of one of the greater manufacturers of textiles in the northwest area of the island. This decline of the industry of the needle occurred similarly in the bordering cities like Isabela and Camuy, generating a regional economic decline as the locals greatly depended on these jobs. In nearby towns like Hatillo, Mayagüez and Aguadilla, the arrival of mega stores and new shopping centers attracted the jobs that used to be in Quebradillas.

The island lacks mass public transportation, people must resort to private cars. The only road to access the important cities, the Puerto Rico Highway 2 suffers from congestion. The town possesses one tunnel that at the beginning of the 20th century was used by steam driven trains that traveled throughout the Island. This absence aggravates the problem of mass transit and the dependence on privately owned vehicles as these are the only method of transportation.[22]

The economy, entering into the 21st century, is based on retail sales. Many small businesses are located along the two main thoroughfares that cross Quebradillas. These consist mainly of light hardware, bakeries, pharmacies, seafood restaurants, American fast food chains and automobile car repair shops.

The town has bank branches for Banco Popular and local savings and credit Unions. These credit unions are most noted for their involvement in common and cultural activities, sponsoring and participating in festivals of typical music such as "Festival of the Gourd in December", sports and educational activities.

Culture

Festivals and events

Quebradillas celebrates its patron saint festival in October. The Script error: No such module "Lang". is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.[8][23]

Other festivals and events celebrated in Quebradillas include:

Sports

The town's official basketball team is Los Piratas'[24] who have won a dramatic number of tournaments in the past. Presently the team has made a "comeback" and has won the championship of the island (2013).

  • Basketball teams
  • Surfing – Guajataca Beach and Puerto Hermina (Pirates Cove)
  • Skateboarding – San Jose Skatepark
  • Baseball – Los Cocos Park
  • Longboarding

Government

The town's government is a small unit with few powers it can execute. Elections are hosted in specific schools every four years to choose a town mayor.

There are several versions detailing different individuals who have served as mayor. An official promotional booklet details 46,[25] while another source states 47.[26] It has also been asserted that a woman, Francisca Lamela de Cordero, served between 1944–1945, in a source that presents 56 incumbents,[27] however she is not included in the municipal-approved list, which expresses that since its founding the town has elected 61 mayors:[28]

# Mayor Term start Term end Terms   Party
01 Felipe Ruiz 1823 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
Template:Sort José de Ribera 1824 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
03 Francisco Antonio Bravo 1824 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
04 Francisco Rodríguez 1825 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
05 Juan Antonio Cancela 1828 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
06 Pedro Correa 1828 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
07 Antonio Comulada (1st term) 1828 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
08 Clemente Correa 1829 1832 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
09 Antonio J. Porrata 1833 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
10 Antonio Comulada (2nd term) 1839 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
11 José Bernabé Carranza 1847 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
12 José Cesáreo Zeno 1849 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
13 Juan de la Cruz Coca 1850 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
15 Máximo Ribas 1852 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
16 José Ramón Mestre 1853 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
17 Lucas Leonides Villalón 1854 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
18 Luis Vega de Alicea 1855 1856 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
19 Carlos Garavarain 1859 1860 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
20 Eduardo Delgado 1867 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
21 Carlos González Jiménez 1868 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
22 José Perignat y Ochoa 1868 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
23 José de Pinguas 1869 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
24 José Bernabé Carrazoza 1870 1871 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
25 Manuel Lloveras 1871 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
27 Francisco G. Condomo 1871 1872 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
28 Fernando Ruiz 1872 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
29 Nicolás Iglesias 1872 1873 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
30 Joaquín Aldea 1873 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
33 Manuel Lamela y Valdés (1st term) 1874 1879 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
34 Máximo Laborde 1879 1882 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
35 Manuel Lamela y Valdés (2nd term) 1882 1884 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
36 Felipe Negrón 1884 1890 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
37 Nicasio Rodicio (1st term) 1890 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
37 José Fidel Hernández (2nd term) 1891 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
38 Buenaventura Ocasio 1892 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
39 Eusebio de la Torre 1892 1893 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
40 José Fidel Hernández (2nd term) 1894 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
41 Nicasio Rodicio (2nd term) 1894 1895 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
42 José Garriga 1896 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
43 Nicasio Rodicio (3rd term) 1896 1898 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
44 Honorio Hernández 1898 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
45 Francisco Ramón Saavedra 1898 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
47 Conrado Santiago 1900 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
48 Manuel R. Ríos 1901 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
49 Manuel Reyes Ruiz 1902 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
50 Santiago Mestre 1904 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
51 Honorio Hernández (1st term) 1908 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
52 Honorio Hernández (2nd term) 1912 1917 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
53 Arcides Ocasio 1917 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
54 Manuel Lamela Abreu 1918 1944 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
55 José Pérez Soler 1945 1948 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
56 Gerardo Pérez Soler 1948 1960 3 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
57 Federico Molinari de Jesús 1960 1964 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
58 Gerardo Pérez Soler 1964 1970 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | None
60 Rafael Pérez Santalíz 1970 1992 3 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | PPD
59 Juan "Johnny" I. Rivera Vargas 1992 1996 1 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | PPD
60 Luis "El Cano" A. Pérez Reillo 1996 2005 2 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | PNP
61 Heriberto Vélez Vélez 2005 Incumbent 5 bgcolor="Template:Party color" | PPD

The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district III, which is represented by two Senators. In 2024, Brenda Pérez Soto and Gabriel González, both from the New Progressive Party (PNP), were elected as District Senators.[29]

Transportation

There are 4 bridges in Quebradillas.[30]

Symbols

The Script error: No such module "Lang". has an official flag and coat of arms.[31]

Flag

It has two red quarters. The red stands for struggle, effort and sacrifice. The other two-quarters have each five green and white wavy stripes, similar to those that appear in the shield.[32]

Coat of arms

The three waved stripes represent the quebradillas (Spanish for creeks or streams), over the green background of the vegetation. The fish and the walking stick (distinctive of the traveler), are insignias of the angel Saint Raphael, by allusion from the episodes narrated in the Book of Tobias in the Old Testament.[32]

Education

The town features various public and private schools. There is also a public electronic library near Los Chorritos Pirata water park. In 2021 the municipal government opened a child daycare center.[33][34] Some schools have been remodeled as a result of a government initiative to have "21st century" schools.

Schools

  • Manuel Ramos Hernandez
  • Juan Alejo de Arizmendi
  • Eugenio Maria De Hostos
  • Luis Muñoz Rivera
  • Honorio Hernandez
  • Pedro Albizu Campos
  • Ramon E. Betances
  • Ramon Avila Molinari
  • Ramon Saavedra
  • Jose De Diego

Private schools:

  • Colegio San Rafael
  • Soles del Jardín
  • Pequeños Aprendiendo

Gallery

See also

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References

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External links

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  24. ↑ Look for quebradillas "The pirates" for the main page.
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  29. ↑ https://elecciones2024.ceepur.org/Escrutinio_General_121/index.html#es/default/SENADORES_POR_DISTRITO_Arecibo_III.xml
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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