Old San Juan's forts guard the largest protected harbor in the Caribbean.

The first two settlements in Puerto Rico started in 1508. Arriving from Hispañola to explore the island the 3 boats of Spanish 'Conquistadors' dropped off one group of settlers on the south coast, then Juan Ponce de Leon and his party sailed around the island to the North to begin their settlement. They chose a location deep in the protective harbor, near the mangroves that lined the coast around the bay ( Caparra now) which turned out to be filled with mosquitoes and offered little relief from the heat.

In 1511 the Indians, having realized the cruelty of the Spanish and suffered enslavement at their hands, revolted and attacked. The Spanish 'Conquistadors' had fought the Moors in Spain and were experienced soldiers on horseback, the Indians did not stand a chance. Ponce de Leon put the rebellion down. The Indians periodically attacked the Spanish settlements. After 15 years in Caparra, the Spanish moved across the bay to the little island later called San Juan Island. Great relief was felt, to have such an improved location at the entrance to the harbor and along the breezy North coast. Over many years the Western end of San Juan Island slowly became a walled medieval fortress city, now called Old San Juan. It became the capital of Puerto Rico. Most of the houses built in the 1700's and 1800's have been restored and Old San Juan is a marvelous example of Spanish Colonial architectural history.

MUSEUMS AND CULTURE

Juan Ponce de Leon was the first governor of Puerto Rico. In 1509 he was appointed by the King of Spain, King Ferdinand II of Aragon (married to Queen Isabela I) and remained governor for 3 years. He was re-appointed governor again in 1515. The de Leon family house ( Casa Blanca) was built on the hill, designed by his son (it had to be rebuilt in 1540 after a hurricane destroyed it). Juan Ponce de Leon left Puerto Rico in 1512, returned in 1515 then left again in 1521 to explore Florida. He was shot by a poison arrow in Florida, then fled to Cuba where he died. His body was brought back to PR.

Many generations of his descendants lived continuously in Casa Blanca although he never did. It is now open to the public and an important historic site and museum. The first Cathedral suffered the same fate in the hurricane of 1539 and was rebuilt. At the beginning of San Juan ( named after St. John the Baptist) there were 80 houses, some of which were stone and mud, but most were of straw, thatched leaves and wood. It became called "Ciudad de San Juan" in official documents, and guarded the rich port ( Puerto Rico). Columbus had named the entire island San Juan but that name was dropped as it began to be referred to as Puerto Rico.

PR, USA. GRANTED US CITIZENSHIP IN 1917