By Don Morfe, April 20, 2012
	1. Imagine Life Here Marker

Fort San Juan de la Cruz, commonly called “El Canuelo,” was more than a simple artillery battery. It was a fort surrounded by water, designed to sustain a garrison for many days. It had embrasures (gun ports) for six cannon, and could accommodate up to 200 men, through typically only a dozen or so were probably stationed here.

A vessel delivers supplies to El Canuelo, while others rest beneath the fort’s watchful eye. Until 1943, when the U.S. Army built up the island, El Canuelo was surrounded by water.
 
Location. 18° 27.997′ N, 66° 8.182′ W. Marker is in Palo Seco, Puerto Rico, in Toa Baja Municipality. Marker is on Puerto Rico Route 870. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Toa Baja PR 00949, United States of America.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Defending San Juan (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossfire (within shouting distance of this marker); A Never Ending Challenge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Main Plaza (approx. 0.9 miles away); A Defense of the 1st Order (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Defending San Juan (approx. one mile away); National Historic Site (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Heart of San Cristobal (approx. 1.7 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Palo Seco.