San Juan in Municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico — The Caribbean (The West Indies)
Plaza del Cuartel
(Barracks Square)
Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 18, 2026
1. Plaza del Cuartel Marker
A partir de esa fecha el área fue consolidándose dentro del Quinto Barrio intramuros de San Juan Bautista, denominandose de Ballaja. Para el 1853, sobre los terrenos que ocupa el actual patio frontal del antiguo Cuartel de Infantería se levantan tres manzanas de estructuras coloniales.
En ese año, los bloques de vivienda fueron expropiados y demolidos para dar inicio a la construcción del Cuartel de Infantería de Ballaja. El area remanente entre el cuartel y la Casa de Beneficencia, un lote de forma triangular, fue delimitado e incorporado al primero como área para huertas, caballerizas y cocina del Cuartel. El lote continuo utilizándose como patio del Cuartel luego de la invasion Norteamericana a la isla en 1898 y la posterior transformación del barrio de Ballajá en base militar Norteamericana.
En 1966, es declarado inactivo el entonces llamado "Fort Brooke". En 1972, al abandonar el Ejercito Norteamericano la base militar, el Cuartel de Ballaja y facilidades aledañas fueron abandonadas. La recuperación del sector dio inicio en 1985 por la Oficina Estatal de Preservación Histórica, adscrita a la Oficina del Gobernador bajo la administración gubernamental del Nonorable Rafael Hernández Colón.
El diseño para la rehabilitación de la Plaza del Cuartel es obra del arquitecto José J. Cotarelo y forma parte del proyecto de amoblamiento urbano del barrio de Ballajá. Este proyecto que comprende las calles de La Beneficencia, Paseo del Campo del Morro y Bulevar del Valle en adición al Parque de Beneficencia y Calle del Hospital. La intervención urbanística provee de un sistema integrador entre los diferentes inmuebles históricos. Asi mismo dota al barrio de mobiliario, elementos paisajísticos y esculturas que permiten su uso de acuerdo a las necesidades contemporáneas del sector. Se inauguro el 2 de octubre de 1992.
The site where this plaza stands today was once part of the gardens belonging to the Dominican Order, a status it maintained from the founding of this city, Puerto Rico, until the disentailment of church properties by the Spanish Crown, which took place during the third decade of the 19th century.
From that date onward, the area gradually became integrated into the Fifth Barrio (District) within the walled city of San Juan Bautista, becoming known as the Ballajá district. By 1853, three city blocks comprising colonial-era structures stood upon the grounds now occupied by the front courtyard of the old Infantry Barracks.
In that same year, these residential blocks were expropriated and demolished to make way for the construction of the Ballajá Infantry Barracks. The remaining area situated between the Barracks and the Casa de Beneficencia (House of Charity) — a triangular-shaped lot — was demarcated and incorporated into the Barracks complex to serve as an area for vegetable gardens, stables, and the barracks' kitchen facilities. This lot continued to function as the Barracks' courtyard following the U.S. invasion of the island in 1898 and the subsequent transformation of the Ballajá district into a U.S. military base.
In 1966, the facility — then known as "Fort Brooke" — was officially declared inactive. In 1972, upon the U.S. Army's departure from the military base, the Ballajá Barracks and its adjacent facilities were abandoned. The revitalization of the district began in 1985, spearheaded by the State Historic Preservation Office — an agency attached to the Office of the Governor — during the administration of the Honorable Rafael Hernández Colón.
The design for the rehabilitation of the Plaza del Cuartel is the work of architect José J. Cotarelo and constitutes an integral part of the urban furnishing project for the Ballajá district. This comprehensive project encompasses the streets of La Beneficencia, Paseo del Campo del Morro, and Boulevard del Valle, in addition to the Parque de Beneficencia and Calle del Hospital. This urban planning intervention establishes an integrating system that links the various historic buildings within the district. Likewise, it furnishes the neighborhood with street furniture, landscape elements, and sculptures that facilitate its use in accordance with the contemporary needs of the area. It was inaugurated on October 2, 1992.
Erected 1992
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 18° 28.08′ N, 66° 7.219′ W. Marker is in San Juan in Municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is on Calle Norzagaray just east of Calle del Morro, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located in Paseo de Ballajá Garden. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Juan PR 00901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, 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: Kites (about 400 feet away); Juan Ponce de Leon (about 700 feet away); The Dutch Attack of 1625 (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); La Rogativa (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Anna de Lanzos de Villate (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Felisa Rincon de Gautier (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Cabildo House (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa / Dr. Pilar Barbosa de Rosario
Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 18, 2026
2. Plaza del Cuartel Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Defending San Juan / Defensa de San Juan (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 18, 2026
3. Plaza del Cuartel
Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 26 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
