Caguas

Also known as “El Valle del Turabo” and “La Ciudad Criolla,” its residents are known as “caguenos” or “Creole.”  In 2004, the business of the United States Census Bureau estimated its population to be at 142,556 inhabitants.

The topography is flat in the wide valley of Caguas, also called the Turabo, which is toward the center of its territory, but contains the southern foothills of the Sierra de Cayey, and the hill Lucero, in the San Salvador, at 700 meters (2.296 feet) high. Other elevations of less importance are the Highlands of the Bureau of 369 meters (1.210 feet) and the Altos de San Luis, about 270 meters (886 feet), both in the neighborhood of Bairoa.

Founded in 1775, in 1820 it received the title of Villa and in 1894 it got the title of City. It was originally called San Sebastian del Pinal Caguax.  Its name originates from “Caguax” and it occupied the region that covers the city of 58.6 square miles. Around 1626 the entire valley of Caguas was awarded a herd, for use in livestock, by royal charter, Sebastian Delgado Rivera.

The vast territory encompassed the present towns of Caguas, Las Piedras, Gurabo, part of San Lorenzo, Juncos and Aguas Buenas. Delgado set up residence in a place called El Barrero and it was on this site that the best quality of clay pottery was. It is located on the right bank of the river Caguitas. They built the hermitage of San Sebastian del Barrero.
In 1729 a church was built on the site called the Pinal Hatillo, a hill, and was placed under the advocation of the Dulce Nombre de Jesus del Pinal, where its currently Gurabo. This place became the largest town in the valley of Caguas. It had a King’s House, home of the priest, prison, pen, and store mixed Gallera. As elsewhere, the residents lived on their farms, and only came to town on Sundays and holidays.
At this time there was a migration of residents to the east, which had been almost totally depopulated since the days of the attacks by the Caribs. The stones are erected in a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Conception.

When there was the visit of Bishop Juan Alejo Arizmendi to Hato Grande they found that they had changed this church dedicated to San Lorenzo. It was said that he had appeared on the river, although the bishop change “is due to craving and voluntary auxiliary of the priest.”
On September 12th 1738 the chapel was demolished by the Pinal Hurricane San Leoncio. It was rebuilt, but was very exposed to winds and was knocked down twice, in 1766 and 1772, further rebuilds were abolished.
In 1775 the residents were able to gain permission to settle in Caguas.   Shortly after the town was incorporated with five houses.   By mid-1800 the economy was based on subsistence agriculture. There were some small farms, some sugar and coffee were produced and some Melado distilled spirits. In 1855 the cholera epidemic illness which attacked the island was particularly severe in Caguas. There were days in which the neighbors could not collect the bodies. Such was the carnage that the cemetery of Our Lady of Monserrate was closed and it became necessary to use a new one.

In 1898, when the town already had more than 17,000 inhabitants, the population still lacked paved streets, sidewalks, and sewage. Many of the houses were huts. The streets were light with oil lanterns.

On October 5^th of that year, the last two meridian United States troops sent by Capt. Fred W. French took possession of the village. It raised the American flag. The mayor and council members continued to the front of the municipal government, although they returned to the mainland shortly after they were replaced by natives.

In the 80s, the city was led by Mayor Angel O. Berrios and Miguel Hernandez, currently the mayor William Miranda Marin.  Berrios Miranda Marin were both members of the Popular Democratic Party, and dominated the elections of people for over 25 years.

Official symbols
Flag
The representative colors are blue and gold. The cross represents the cross of St. Sebastian, because it was the first Christian village that was established in the Caguas valley next to the Ermita de San Sebastian del Barrero. It was called the barrier because of the excellent quality of clay that was there. This flag was adopted during the purview of the mayor Angel Rivera Rodriguez in 1960.

Shield
Blue and gold badges in the town of Caguas were selected. The figures represent the age and origins and indigenous Christians this city.   The crown represents Cacique Caguax, Monarch Valley Turabo, the arrival of Spanish conquerors, as well as symbolizing the village India, home of the chieftain whose name perpetuates the city.

Arrows, Indians of our offensive weapons, bladed or placed in St Andrew’s cross, reminiscent of the conversion to Christianity Caguax chief. The cones represent the village of Dulce Nombre de Jesus del Pinal.