San Francisco in San Juan in Municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico — The Caribbean (The West Indies)

Casino de Puerto Rico

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2023

1. Casino de Puerto Rico Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

La construcción del Casino de Puerto Rico comenzó en 1913 para servir de sede para un club privado de la alta sociedad, y se ubicó deonde antes existió la Puerta de Santiago (también conocida como Puerta de Tierra) de la ciudad murada. Su estilo Beaux Arts refleja una época en que Puerto Rico miraba a Francia como inspiración para su arquitectura. La obra se llevó a cabo por los hermanos arquitectos Rafael y Carlos del Valle Zeno. El edificio se inauguró en 1917 en plena Primera Guerra Mundial.

En 1940 fue adquirido por el ejército norteamericano para ser utilizado como centro social para oficiales. Terminada la Segunda Guerra Mundial, el edificio pasó a manos del gobierno de Puerto Rico y albergó la Escuela Libre de Música. También fue utilizado por el Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña. Hoy alberga el Centro de Recepciones Oficiales del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico.

Construction of the Casino de Puerto Rico began in 1913 to serve as a seat of a private club of the local social elite. It was located on the site formerly occupied by the Gate of Santiago (also known as the Land Gate)
Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online
of the walled city. Its Beaux Arts style reflects a time when French influence was predominant in Puerto Rican architecture. The work was directed by two brothers, architects Rafael and Carlos del Valle Zeno. the building was inaugurated in 1917, while the First World War was raging.

In 1941 the structure was appropriated by the US Army for use as an officers' social club. After World War II it was returned to the government of Puerto Rico and became the Escuela Libre de Música (public music school). It was later occupied by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and is now the official Reception Center of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Erected by Paseo Puerta de Tierra.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 18° 27.963′ N, 66° 6.704′ W. Marker is in San Juan in Municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is in San Francisco. Marker is at the intersection of Avenida de la Constitución (Puerto Rico Route 225) and Avenida Muñoz Rivera, on the left when traveling east on Avenida de la Constitución. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Calle de la Fortaleza 574, 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

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2023

2. Casino de Puerto Rico Marker

marker. Teatro Tapia (within shouting distance of this marker); Escuela José Julián Acosta (within shouting distance of this marker); José Julián Acosta Birthplace (within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza de Colón (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic San Juan / San Juan Historico (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); National Historic Site (about 500 feet away); In Defense of San Juan / En defenso de San Juan (about 500 feet away); What About Water? / ¿De Dónde Viene el Agua? (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Juan.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.