Bristol Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Puerto Rican Monument of Bristol

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009

1. the Puerto Rican Monument of Bristol

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This monument is a replica of the Spanish Garitas, or guardhouses, that lined the forts of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is dedicated to the Puerto Rican people who have made their homes in Bristol.

In March of 1509 a ship carrying Juan Ponce de Leon arrived in San Juan. With him was the West African Juan Garrido. They landed and were met by Agueybana chief Taino. Briefly there was harmony. The mixing of cultures that form Puerto Rico had begun.

(Marker in Spanish, translation of previous marker)
Borinquen, Puerto Rico En Marzo de 1509 llega a Puerto Rico Juan Ponce de Leon de decendencia española acompañado por el
africano Juan Garrido. Al desembarcar fueron recibidos por Agueybana el cacique supremo de los Tainos indígenas de la Isla de Borinquen. Existió harmonia por pocos años, así comenzó le mezcla de razas y culturas que formó el Puerto Rico de hoy.

The indigenous people of Puerto Rico were the Tainos. They introduced corn, rubber and pineapple to Europe. The culture has disappeared but Taino words and values have been passed through the centuries.

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1509.

Location. 40° 5.613′ N, 74° 51.43′ W. Marker is near Bristol, Pennsylvania, in Bucks County. It is in Bristol Township. It can be reached from Basin Street. Monument is located in Basin Park, near the confluence of Otter Creek and the Delaware River, about 400 feet SW of the intersection of Mill and Radcliffe Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 Basin St, Bristol PA 19007, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Where the Canal Met the River (a few steps from this marker); Harriet Ross Tubman (a few steps from this marker); Tidal Delaware Water Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Working with the Tide (within shouting distance of this marker); Fueling the Economy (within shouting distance of this marker); In the Basin (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbus 500 Celebration (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marsh Ecology in an Urban Setting (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Ring (was within shouting distance of this marker

Replica of the Spanish <i>Garitas</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009

2. Replica of the Spanish Garitas Marker

but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Basin (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Tidal Lock (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Canal Office (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding The Puerto Rican Monument of Bristol. The Oldest Coat of Arms in the Americas also says in Spanish "Escudo Oficial de Puerto Rico" (The Official Coat of Arms of Puerto Rico). The coat of arms also has a latin inscription of "Johannes est nomen ejus", or "John is his name", referring to the original name of the island as St. John the Baptist (San Juan Bautista).

Also see . . .
1. History of Puerto Rico. (Submitted on May 30, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. History of Bristol Borough. (Submitted on May 30, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. The Spanish Conquest of Puerto Rico. (Submitted on May 30, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Founding of Puerto Rico image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009

3. Founding of Puerto Rico

Founding of Puerto Rico (Spanish) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009

4. Founding of Puerto Rico (Spanish)

Indigenous Taino Contributions image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009

5. Indigenous Taino Contributions

The Oldest Coat of Arms in the Americas image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009

6. The Oldest Coat of Arms in the Americas

Mother Earth image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009

7. Mother Earth

Drawing on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009

8. Drawing on Marker

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009

9. Replica of the Spanish Garitas Marker

Looking SSW, with Delaware River in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,367 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on January 29, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 30, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.