Peñuelas in Municipio de Peñuelas, Puerto Rico — The Caribbean (The West Indies)

La Locomotora "La Negra Cocola"

[The Locomotive "La Negra Cocola"]

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2023

1. La Locomotora "La Negra Cocola" Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

En el año 1924, la familia Valdivieso, dueña de la hacienda dolores, trajo a Peñuelas su segunda y más potente locomotora, la cual fue apodada cariñosamente como "La Negra Cocola". Ésta servía para la movilización de caña de azúcar y como medio de transportación para los obreros de la zona. Se movilizaba desde cerca del puente la pepita, el cual estaba ubicado al lado del actual puente Petro Ruberté Robles hasta tallaboa, sector Guaypao, donde se encontraba la estación de ferrocarril de la American Railroad. Desde allí, otra máquina llevaba los vagones hasta la Central Mercedita, en cual se efectuaba la molienda. Su maquinista, Ramón (Guaché) Aponte Costas (Q.E.P.D.) también la llamaba Andrea. Esta importante parte de nuestra historia fue donada por la familia valivieso al Municipio de Peñuelas mediante un contrato de cesión, el cual se firmó el 9 de diciembre de 1976; para que la cuite y la conserve como una reiquia de nuestro pasado, como un mudo testigo de recuerdos y añoranzas.

[English translation:]
In 1924, the Valdivieso family, owners of the Dolores hacienda, brought their second and most

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powerful locomotive to Peñuelas which was affectionately nicknamed "La Negra Cocola." This was used for transporting sugar cane and area workers. It moved from near the La Pepita bridge, which stood next to the current Petro Ruberté Robles bridge to Tallaboa, Guaypao barrio, where the American Railroad station stood. From there, another machine took the cars to the Central Mercedita, where the milling was completed. Her driver, Ramón (Gauché) Aponte Costal (RIP) also called her Andrea. This important part of our history was donated by the Valivieso family to the Municipio of Peñuelas on December 9, 1976, to maintain as a relic and as a witness to our memories and yearnings.

Erected by Municipio de Peñuelas.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is December 9, 1976.

Location. 18° 3.457′ N, 66° 43.367′ W. Marker is in Peñuelas in Municipio de Peñuelas, Puerto Rico. Marker is on Calle Cotto north of CAlle Amalia Marín, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Calle Cotto 709, Penuelas PR 00624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fuente Tipo "Bizcocho" (within shouting distance of this marker); Ángel Pacheco Alvarado (within shouting distance of this

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2023

2. La Locomotora "La Negra Cocola" Marker

marker); Leyenda del Río Guayanés (within shouting distance of this marker); El Flamboyán (within shouting distance of this marker); Monumento al Soldado Caído (within shouting distance of this marker); El Güiro (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Monumento al Soldado Caído (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mariano Quiñones (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Peñuelas.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

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