San Cristóbal in San Juan in Municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico — The Caribbean (The West Indies)
In Defense of San Juan / En defenso de San Juan
San Juan National Historic Site
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
At this site you can sample a few of San Juan’s historic fortifications. Features seen here date from the 1760’s through the 1960’s, the latter part of San Juan’s military history.
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.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 18° 28.044′ N, 66° 6.672′ W. Marker is in San Juan in Municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is in San Cristóbal. Marker is on Bulevar del Valle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Juan PR 00901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. What About Water? / ¿De Dónde Viene el Agua? (here, next to this marker); Firepower (here, next to this marker); Three Flags (here, next to this marker); The Heart of San Cristobal (here, next to this marker); National Historic Site (here, next to this marker); Historic San Juan / San Juan Historico (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Escuela José Julián Acosta (about 500 feet away); Casino de Puerto Rico (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Juan.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 478 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the complete marker and a transcription of the Spanish text. • Can you help?