Segundo in Ponce in Municipio de Ponce, Puerto Rico — The Caribbean (The West Indies)
El Edificio
The Building
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Cronologica del Cuerpo de Bomberos Municipal de Ponce
Timeline of the Ponce Municipal Fire Department
By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2023
1. El Edificio / Cronologica del Cuerpo de Bomberos Municipal de Ponce Marker
El Edificio
En 1882 se celebra en Ponce la Gran Feria de Exposiciones, un suceso memorable donde el arte y la industria de Puerto Rico estuvieron representados. Dicha Feria ue auspiciada sólo por la Corporación Municipal de la Ciudad de Sur. En ella tuvieron representación afortunada: la literatura, las bellas artes, la música, la agricultura, la mineralogia, la floricultura, la selvicultura, las indusria forestales, la industria pecuaria, las artes e industrias manufactureras, la fabricación de muebles, la indumentaria, productos farmacéuticos, la tipografía, la fotografía, la litografía, la arqueología y la historia natural. Hoteles y fondas alojaron a 2,476 personas.
En 1883 se celebró otra feria titulada: Exposición Agricola e Industrial del Tobaco. Don Máximo Meana y Guridi diseñó este pabellón para la gran Feria de Exposición en Ponce.
En 1883 el Ayuntamiento comprende de la importancia del Cuerpo de Bomberos, quienes desde el 1846 habían protegido a Ponce de fuegos y catástrofes y se procede a reorganizar dicho cuerpo. Bajo el celo de Don Máximo Meana y Guridi entonce alcalde y coronel, se traslada el Parque de Bombas a este edificio, al pabellón donde tuvo lugar la mayor de las exhibiciones de la Feria de Ponce.
Este edificio se símbolo y homenaje a la improtancia que reviste para los ponceños e servicio, la abnegación y el valor del Cuerpo de Bomberos. Es por esta razón que el Cuerpo de Bomberos permanece simbólicamente en esta Plaza, en el corazón de la ciudad ponceña.
Pero la historia no termina. Aún hoy, mientras el fuego y los desastres siembran el dolor e incluso la muerte, los Bomberos continuarán su tradición de disciplina, sacrificio y valor. Nuevas generaciones de bomberos se levantarán con igual espíritu civico, haciendo honor a sus antepasados.
Cronologia del Cuerpo de Bomberos Municipal de Ponce
1846: Luego del incendio del barrio de la Playa de Ponce, que destruye el ochenta por ciento de sus estructuras, el gobernador español, Conde de Mirasol, decreta la creación decuerpos de bomberos voluntarios en los municipal de la isla.
1853: Se crea el Cuerpo de Bomberos Civil Municipal de Ponce
Jefes: Ramón Coll, Juan Buatista Chardón, Mateo Rabbaine
1862 (12 de octubre): Primera reorganización del Cuerpo.
Jefes: Tomás Cladellas, Carlos Millán.
1879: Nuevamente es reorganizado el Cuerpo.
Jefe: Juan Bértoli
1883 (2 de febrero): Reorganización definitiva del Cuerpo, bajo la jefatura de Don Máximo Meana y Guridi. Se funda, bajo la dirección de Don Juan Morel Campos, la Banda de los Bomberos.
1885: Se trasladan los bomberos a su sede de la plaza, anterior Pabellón de Productos de la Feria Exposición de 1882.
1904: Comienza la construcción del Mausoleo de los Bomberos, en el Cementario Civil de Ponce obra de Alfredo Wiechers, Elias Concepción y Blas C. Silva.
1906: Comienzan a sortearse casas para los bomberos en el sector 25 de Enero, al oeste de la ciudad.
1909: Durante el transcurso de ese año se apagan quince incendios mayores.
1911: Inaugúrase el Mausoleo de los Bomberos. Francisco Barnés Plaja, jefe de Bomberos.
1916 (16 de mayo):
Incendio en la P.R. Drug Co. (Farm. Moscoso)
El cuerpo de Bomberos sirve de escolita a la comotive fúnibre de Don Luis Muños Rivera, a su pase por la ciudad de Ponce.
Pedro Schuck Grau, jefe de Bomberso.
1918:
Primera bomba de incendio de motor en Puerto Rico, construida sobre chasis de auto marca Pope-Hartford, por los hermanos Mayoral, para los bomberos de Ponce.
Durante los terremotos de octubre de ese año, los Bomberos Municipales auxilian a los damnificados y velan contra el surgimiento de incendios.
1983: Centenario de la reorganización de los Bomberos de Ponce y de la fundación de la Banda Municipial de Ponce; director: Luis O. Pino (1978 al presente).
1985: Los bomberos de Ponce, junto a rescatistas internacionales, auxilian a las victimas del derrumbe del barrio Mameyes.
1988: Incendio en la calle California de Ponce, que, gracias a la ayuda de los bomberos, evitan la total estrucción del barrio.
1989: Los Bomberos Municipales de Ponce son integrados al Servicio Esttal de Bomberos de Puerto Rico.
1990:
Se restaura a su estado original en antiguo Parque de Bombas.
Y, mientras el fuego continúe amenazando a la ciudad señorial de Ponce, la historia de los Bomberos Municipales de Ponce continuará…
The Building
In 1882, held in Ponce, was a Great Exposition Fair, a memorable event where art and industry of Puerto Rico were represented. The fair was sponsored only by the Southern City's Municipal Corporation. In it they had fortunate representation: literature, fine arts, music, agriculture, mineralogy, floriculture, forestry, forest industry, livestock industry, arts and manufacturing industries, manufacture of furniture, clothing, pharmaceuticals, typography, photography, lithography, archeology and natural history. Hotels and inns housed 2,476 people.
In 1883 another fair was held entitled: Tobacco Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition. Don Máximo Meana y Guridi designed the pavilion for the Great Exhibition Fair in Ponce.
In 1883 the City Council understands the importance of the Fire Department, who since 1845 had protected Ponce from fires and disasters and proceeds to reorganize that body. Under the zeal of Don Máximo Meana y Guridi, then mayor and coronel, the Firehouse moved to this building where most of the exhibits of the Fair of Ponce took place.
This building is a symbol and tribute to the importance for the Ponceños service, selflessness and courage of the Fire Department. It is for this reason that the Fire Department remains symbolically in this square, in the heart of the city of Ponce.
But the story does not end. Even today, as fire and disaster sow pain and even death, firefighters continue their tradition of discipline, sacrifice and courage. New generations of firefighters will rise with equal civil spirit, honoring their ancestors.
Timeline of the Municipal Fire Department of Ponce
1846: After the fire in the Playa de Ponce neighborhood, which destroyed eighty percent of its buildings, the Spanish governor, Conde de Mirasol, decreed the creation of volunteer fire departments in the municipal island.
1853: The Municipal Civil Fire Department of Ponce is created
Bosses: Ramón Coll, Juan Buatista Chardón, Mateo Rabbaine
1862 (October 12): First reorganization of the Corps.
Bosses: Tomás Cladellas, Carlos Millán.
1879: The Corps is reorganized again.
Lead: Juan Bértoli
1883 (February 2): Definitive reorganization of the Corps, under the leadership of Don Máximo Meana y Guridi. The Firefighters Band is founded under the direction of Don Juan Morel Campos.
1885: The firefighters move to their headquarters in the square, formerly the Products Pavilion of the 1882 Fair Exhibition.
1904: Construction begins on the Firefighters Mausoleum, in the Ponce Civil Cemetery, the work of Alfredo Wiechers, Elias Concepción and Blas C. Silva.
1906: They begin to raffle houses for firefighters in the sector to the west of the city on January 25.
1909: During that year, fifteen major fires were put out.
1911: The Firemen's Mausoleum is inaugurated. Francisco Barnés Plaja, Fire Chief.
1916 (May 16):
Fire in PR Drug Co. (Farm. Moscoso)
The Fire Department provides the funeral service of Don Luis Muños Rivera as he passes through the city of Ponce.
Pedro Schuck Grau, Fire Chief.
1918:
First engine fire pump in Puerto Rico, built on a Pope-Hartford brand car chassis, by the Mayoral Brothers, for the Ponce firefighters.
During the October earthquakes, the Municipal Firefighters helped the victims and prevented fire outbreaks.
1983: Centennial of the reorganization of the Ponce Fire Department and the founding of the Ponce Municipal Band; director: Luis O. Pino (1978 to present).
1985: Ponce firefighters, together with international rescue workers, help the victims of the collapse of the Mameyes neighborhood.
1988: Fire on Calle California in Ponce. Thanks to the help of the firefighters, the total destruction of the neighborhood was prevented.
1989: The Ponce Municipal Firefighters are integrated into the Puerto Rico State Fire Service.
1990:
It is restored to its original state in the old Firemen's Park.
And, while the fire continues to threaten the stately city of Ponce, the story of the Ponce Municipal Firefighters will continue…
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Location. 18° 0.709′ N, 66° 36.826′ W. Marker is in Ponce in Municipio de Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is in Segundo. It can be reached from the intersection of Marina and Calle Cristina (Puerto Rico Route 1), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Marina 75, Ponce PR 00730, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Puerto Rico’s Southern Coastal Zone. Globally, it is one of the Greater Antilles on the Caribbean Sea, on in the Atlantic Ocean, in North America, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Building / El Edificio (a few steps from this marker); Don Julio Stenacher (a few steps from this marker); Doctor Rafael Pujals (a few steps from this marker); Willie Vincéns Tous (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan Morel Campos (within shouting distance of this
By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2023
2. El Edificio / Cronologica del Cuerpo de Bomberos Municipal de Ponce Marker
By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2023
3. El Edificio / Cronologica del Cuerpo de Bomberos Municipal de Ponce Marker
By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2023
4. El Edificio / Cronologica del Cuerpo de Bomberos Municipal de Ponce Marker
By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2023
5. El Edificio / Cronologica del Cuerpo de Bomberos Municipal de Ponce Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 583 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
