By Don Morfe, April 21, 2012
	1. In Defense of San Juan Marker

The concrete blocks scattered on the lawn were left by the U.S. Army, which was here from 1898 through 1960. In fact, the grass-roofed building you are standing on---now housing the park visitor facilities and offices—was built in 1942 as a World War II command post. The other features seen here were all built by Spain, mostly in the late 1700’s.

Although fortifications in San Juan cover such a great time span (1521 through 1960), they were all built for the same reason-to defend San Juan and its precious harbor.
 
Location. 18° 28.044′ N, 66° 6.672′ W. Marker is in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in San Juan County. Marker is on Bulevar del Valle. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Juan PR 00901, United States of America.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. National Historic Site (here, next to this marker); The Heart of San Cristobal (here, next to this marker); Three Flags (here, next to this marker); Firepower (here, next to this marker); What About Water? (here, next to this marker); Defending San Juan (approx. 0.7 miles away); A Defense of the 1st Order (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Main Plaza (approx. 0.9 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in San Juan.