PARQUE DE BOMBEROS, PONCE

"In 1820, two great fires affected the city of Ponce; one destroyed great part of the center of the city; and the other gutted 80% of Ponce's port zone, paralyzing all, commercial trade to the southern section of Puerto Rico. Because of this problem and public concern, in 1853, an official voluntary firemen service for the central urban area of Ponce; the Municipal Firemen Service Force, was created; its main commitment was to fight and prevent fires. During the month of July of 1882, Ponce was the center of attention in Puerto Rico; an important Exhibition Trade Fair was being celebrated. The main exhibit pavilion, dedicated to agricultural and industrial exhibits, was commissioned to Maximo Meana, Lieutenant Coronel of the Spanish Militia, and later, Mayor of the city. The Moorish influence is manifested immediately for its basic rectangular plan with towers at its front corners. The active facade ornamentation, its long and narrow windows with fan at its top, its bright colorful paint application, among others, typifies a strong Moorish influence. In 1885, the building was dedicated as Ponce's official firehouse; and in 1920, it was used briefly as the Mayor's office as a result of the earthquake that affected the city during that year." --Description from United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National, Register of Historic Places, Parque de Bomabas de Ponce (Ponce Firehouse).