Playas Blancas (English Version)

8/10/2019 Playas Blancas (English Version)

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By: Luz D. Maldonado-VelzquezBayamn, Puerto Rico

December 2001


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Image Taken from: La Gran Enciclopedia de Puerto Rico


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CONTENT

Page

Introduction 5

I - Historical Overview 7

IIPlayas Blancas 9

A Mixed Sector 10

Education 11

Family and Health 12

Economy and Way of Life 13

Religion 14

Archaeology 15

III - Land Expropriation 18

Plan is US 19

Time to expropriate 21

A split in the history 22

The Fisherman Playas Blancas 24

Distribution of Land 25

"In Ceiba Ill see you ..." 26

IV - Conclusion 28

Bibliography 30


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Dedication

To my dear sister Leticia,who was my friend andmy mentor.


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INTRODUCTION

It is not my intention by this study to rewrite the history of Ceiba, because people like

Don Julio Romero Poupart [1]and Professor Nilsa Rivera [2]have done a great job. I want to

focus on people who were expropriated from their homes because of the occupation of their land

by the Navy of the United States, and for what nothing has been written. For this purpose I have

interviewed several people who were born and raised in the area of Playas Blancas, a ward of

Guayacan sector in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.

My efforts to learn more about the past of my parents and grandparents placed me

upfront a rich history that cannot be ignored. When we find the story of Ceiba written in several

books and pamphlets, such as The Great Encyclopedia of Puerto Rico: Municipalities of Puerto

Rico, "Data on the history of the town of Ceiba," published by the Municipality of Ceiba; and

Ceiba Foundation and Development, written by Don Julio Romero Poupart do not outlined the

transition of those who once lived in one of the most beautiful coasts of Puerto Rico and who

their land and way of life were snatched to never return. My paper outlines the life of my family,

as told by those who lived during the 1930s until 1943, before and during the establishment of

the Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.
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By this study I want to determine the effects that the arrival of the United States Navy

had over the municipality of Ceiba during the years previously mentioned.

I want to thank the administration of the Public Library of Ceiba; Public Relations of

the Municipality of Ceiba; my family, most especially my mother Susana and my uncle Luis

Angel, and all those who helped me with this study by providing valuable information. Without

them, it would not have been possible to write down what once was lived in a corner of Ceiba

named Playas Blancas (White Beaches) [3].

Mi casita en Playas Blancas

By: Susana Velzquez Rivera
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I

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Ceiba was part of the Fajardo municipality and was constituted its own municipality on

May 12, 1838. By April 7, 1837, the neighborhood had been authorized to proceed with the

establishment of the municipality. Upon the demarcation, the jurisdiction was declared to be

understood as follows: "From the beginning of Figueres following the Ceiba creek upstream to

its starting point, from this point straight to the Fajardo River and then to the origin latter taking

its upstream until finding the boundary line between the west and south of Naguabo."[4] When

the new municipality was founded, the following neighborhoods were established: Pueblo,

Machos, Chupacallos, Saco, Rio Arriba, Daguao, Quebrada Seca and Guayacn. In the fourth

decade of the nineteenth century, Ceiba suffered from prolonged droughts and continuous fires.

According to the first census in 1846, Ceiba had 165 slaves; 91 in urban areas, those

working in domestic service; and 74 in the rural area, working in the field, in the clearing of

minor crops or sugarcane crops. [5]
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In 1856, the epidemic of cholera affected much of the island and Ceiba was devastated.

Twenty years later, the municipality began operating its first public electric power service. Two

years before thetowns

occupation by American troops, September 30, 1898, the municipality

was authorized to install its first telephone service between Fajardo and Ceiba.

After the sovereignty change, the municipality was annexed once again to Fajardo; this

because the towns of the island were reorganized following the territorial style of districts in the

United States. This situation lasted until 1914, when by Act No. 9 of March 12th, Ceiba became

an independent municipality again within the same boundaries as prior to the annexation. [6]


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II

Playas BlancasWhite Beaches

The coastal area of Ceiba, which is now named Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, consisted

of several neighborhoods, sectors, farms and islets. These were named Machos ward; appointed

to the Daguao ward were: El Corcho and sector Esperanza or Elena; Quebrada Seca ward;

Guayacan ward; the Aurora Hacienda; part of the Hacienda Aguas Claras; and the Cabras islet.

Being the largest of these the Guayacn ward, which consisted of various sectors, these were:

Roln with the Ensenada port, Playas Blancas, La Tea, Mogote del Indio, El Frio, El Cascajo, La

Mora, Agua Dulce, Canteras, Playa de Muerto, and El Aguila.

For the purpose of this study, I will use the sector Playas Blancas, which is where my

grandparents with all their children came from, as an example of those neighborhoods with

sectors that were evicted to the occupation of the naval base from 1939-1943.


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A mixed sector

According to the interviewees from the Playas Blancas sector, Dr. Antonio Arturet; my

mother, Doa Susana Velzquez; and my uncle, Don Luis Angel Velzquez, during the early

century the mixed race of Spaniards and Tano Indians predominated in the physical features of

their grandparents, with white skin and blue eyes, or brown eyes with black hair. [7]There were

very few black traits in our family; and in the mixed trait, the Spaniard was the predominant

feature. These were names such as Velzquez, Melndez, Milln, Santana, Soto, Solero, Arturet

(the latter could come from southern France or northern Spain [8]). If there were any blacks,

the neighborhood knew where they came from and typically they worked or lived in the sugar

plantations and passed through Playas Blancas as visitors. According to Doa Susana, her

grandfather, Papa Juan Velzquez was the first in the area. Papa Juan was fair-skinned and had

Ro Abao

El Saco

Machos

Ceiba Pueblo

Gua ac

Chu acallo

QuebradaDa ua


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blue eyes; he was a merchant seaman and came from Spain with his brothers; It is unknown

exactly how many of them were. Papa Juan stayed in Playas Blancas and his brothers moved to

other locations in the eastern and southern coast of Puerto Rico. Papa Juan married Mama Julia,

who despite having the surname Melndez[9],she was of Tano descendent, with brown eyes

and black hair. Mama Julia and her siblings always lived in the wooded hills (mogotes) of

Playas Blancas. This marriage fathered nine children, those to be named: Saturnina, Placido,

Francisco, Victor, Francisca, Juana, Lucas, Epifania and Felix. Their features can still be

perceived in the members of our family.

Each sector of Guayacn in Ceiba consisted of members of the same family or clan.

Playas Blancas sector was no exception, it consisted of a closed society; somehow everyone had

some kinship with everyone else. La Tea consisted of nine acres that belonged to (Papa) Juan

Velzquez. Each of his descendants, when married, built their houses in these areas. La Tea

belonged to the Velsquez, as it was La Mora to the Cintron.

Education

Very few received a formal education. Schools were scarce. As described by Dr.

Arturet, Doa Susana, and Don Luis Angel, society in this neighborhood during the 1930 and

1940 was almost entirely illiterate. [10] The only school that existed for those years was

established during the first decade of the twentieth century and education was up to the third


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grade. If wanting to continue school, children had to walk or arrive by boat to the Daguao

neighborhood or to the center of Ceiba to finish ninth grade. It was known of only one or two

women who were literate in the sector. In the early 1930s many young people emigrated to

Santurce, or New York and then at the beginning of the war, many enlisted in the United States

Army as volunteers. [11]

Family and Health

Marriages began at an early age, this gave opportunity to create huge families which may

had seven to 12 children. Life expectancy was to the 40 or 45 years; it was known of very few

people of old age in Playas Blancas. The government did not provide medical care; Ceiba was

visited by a medical doctor from Fajardo. Doa Susana stated that when a person became sick

usually visited the doctor once, it was carried by hammock to the town of Ceiba, and then the

sick was cared in the house by the family and neighborhood healers until the person died.

By 1930 there was an outbreak of tuberculosis in Puerto Rico, and many families in

Playas Blancas lost several members due to this disease. [12] By the end of the decade, a

hospital was established in Fajardo District. This, out of the reach of many who lived in the

neighborhoods of Ceiba without transportation. During 1940 Dr. Lima, established the first

medical practice in the town of Ceiba.


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Economy and Way of Life

Playas Blancas was a very poor area. Lack of education and many other adverse factors

caused poverty and social stagnation in Playas Blancas. There were days when families ate just

once. Most walked barefoot and deprived of basic medical services. There was in Playas

Blancas no electricity; much less drinking clean water, this had to be brought from the river in

which clothes were washed and people bathed. Their daily diet consisted of fish, cassava,

coconut, corn flour, rice, beans, and pork. They lived mainly from fishing and the manufacture

of rum. When the fish was abundant it was transported to the rural area of Ceiba and trades were

made for meats and vegetables. And although there was no money with this method, both, the

coast and the mountain benefited from each othersproducts.

During the sugarcane harvest [13] many worked in the haciendas (plantations). This

time came in mid-January until late June or July. [14]During the time of the witch, [15]also

known as the dead time, [16]coal was burned and rum was manufactured, which was also used,

among other things, to smuggle to the Virgin Islands.

Doctor Arturet talked about Don Jos [17]; who was the boat owner of Luz Del Alba, at

that time, it was the most beautiful boat in Ceiba [18]. This boat was confiscated and Don Jose

was sentenced to 18 months in prison. From this sentence he served nine months and came out

on parole. According to his daughter, Don Josesliving was transporting animals and food to the

Virgin Islands, never contraband. An individual who was running for a position with the
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government or the police (is uncertain), insisted that Don Jose transported smuggled rum. Due

to pressure from this individual, Don Jose agreed to the transportation. His relatives insist that

Don Jos was betrayed, causing his arrest by the authorities and accused of smuggling. Don

Jos, after serving his imprisonment, went back to what he knew to do, the transportation of food

and animals to the Virgin Islands.

The social and economic stagnation of the previous century as described by historian

Scarano, [19]was still reflected in Playas Blancas during the 1930. Simplicity and moderation

characterized the material life of Puerto Ricans of modest means. Their houses had little

furniture or utensils. They slept in hammocks. Completed the furniture with a rough wooden

bench. A pot and a pan were sufficient to cook their food. The plates, spoons, cups and other

utensils made of the fig tree; mugs for coffee, milk or other drinks were made of coconut [20].

Clay pitchers were used to conserve water. Commonly, they eat their food sitting on the floor.

Religion

Dr. Arturet tells us that the inhabitants of Playas Blancas were mostly Roman Catholics

of votes to the Virgin Mary; they saw Christ as a major figure in Christianity. [21] Their

Christian faith was passed down orally from one generation to the next. There was Santera,

spiritism and witchcraft, and tales of pirate Cofresi, whose spirit supposedly appeared at night to

guard his hidden treasures. The neighborhood was visited occasionally by a priest.
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The stagnation of the previous centuries also left a mark on the religion and this was

tangible in Playas Blancas. According to historian Scarano, by the end of the eighteenth century

in Puerto Rico bishops and priests continuously protested because people would not listen to

their religious and moral precepts. No respect for the solemnity of religious celebrations were

kept, and the rules of ethics and moral arranged by the church openly violated. The headache of

bishops was greater still in the rural area. Away from the village churches and priests, rural

inhabitants forged their own religious ideas and practices. [22]

But in the history of Playas Blancas cannot leave behind without mentioning that there

was a pioneer of the Protestant religion. In 1935 Teodoro Donato spread Protestantism;

sometimes threatened by families rooted in Catholicism. Donato, being a street vendor [23],

founded what is now the Evangelical Church of Aguas Claras, one of the pillars of Christianity

of Aguas Claras in Ceiba, and which are still attending members since its foundation in Playas

Blancas.

Archaeology

Interviewees made clear the existence of archaeological artifacts from the Tano indians

who lived in Playas Blancas. [24]They spoke in great detail of a stone they called La Piedra del

Indio, which contains Indian petroglyphs and is in a very small cay bay looking towards


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Vieques. The design contains a child with a hanging fish. When the stone is climbed, aligned

stones in ceremonial style can be seeing around the stone.

In this sense, Roosevelt Roads took interest in the archaeological survey during the 1990

The Navy examined 10% of the land occupied. Based on different studies that have been made

of the occupied land, it was found 22 areas with archaeological artifacts. This consists of 15

prehistoric areas, three historical and four containing petroglyphs or rock art. Many of these

areas are covered in mangrove coasts. Eleven of these areas were discovered during a survey in

1994. [25] The prehistoric artifacts were identified from 600 to 1300 AC. The areas and

historical artifacts were classified as the eighteenth, nineteenth century and early twentieth

century. It was found from this time a village and caves that produced ceramic artifacts. In

Punta Algodones, what was known as sector El Corcho, were uncovered pre-Columbian

artifacts. Nine elements were discovered, eight of them in petroglyphs. It was determined in this

study that Punta Algodones was a very populated area and will remain intact without any

construction.

The purpose of these studies was to prevent the construction of new facilities in areas

that contain artifacts of our ancestors.


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Petroglyphs found in sector El Corcho.


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III

Land Expropriation

Plans of the United States

On Tuesday May 2, 1939, the newspaper El Mundo published the intentions of the War

Department to invest $1,000,000,000 in Puerto Rico[26]. The report said: "Under the leadership

of President Roosevelt, the War Department has moved quickly to make certain arrangements

with emphasis on Puerto Rico as the guardian of the" lifeline "of the United States in the

Caribbean and focus of the defense hemisphere. Knowledgeable military experts told United

Press that Puerto Rico will become an impregnable air base from which the air forces of the

Army and Navy will patrol not only the Panama Canal, but also towards the eastern shores of the

North and South America". In a second report in the same day, El Imparcial reports: "The new

air base in Puerto Rico is considered part of the defense plan of President Roosevelt which

covers the Western Hemisphere. The War Department sent a committee to investigate the

proposed sites and study other aspects of national defense projects related to that area.

Department officials explained that the primary objective of the base in that area will be to close

the Caribbean during a war. "
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On May 22, 1939, the newspaper El Mundo [27]reproduces a report published by the

"Army and Navy Journal", it reads: "Commenting on the fact that President Roosevelt has

appointed governor of the island a man who has already proven his ability as an administrator

(referring Governor Winship), the publication says: Because of its geographical location at the

northeast corner of the Caribbean, the island of Puerto Rico provides an excellent defense for the

continental United States and the Panama Canal against an European attack. The Navy has

always considered the Caribbean Sea as a paramount of importance, and the General Staff of the

Army, now that it has provided sufficient funds, forces, and military establishments, created the

Department for Puerto Rico. "

According to Don Julio Romero, Ceiba historian, in his book Ceiba Foundation and

Development, World War II and the 1940 elections were decisive events that drove economic

activity. World War II begins in Europe, and the United States decided to reinforce the

Caribbean. United States acquired 2217.33 acres of land that belonged to the municipality of

Ceiba.[28]


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Miss Nilsa Rivera in her book Ceiba Notes for its History, indicates that in 1919 the

United States considered the idea of establishing a naval base on the island, but it was not until

World War II that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt decided to establish such base. [29]

Ro Aba o

El Saco

Machos

Ceiba Pueblo

Gua ac

Chu acallo

QuebradaDa ua

Playas Blancas

Appropriated land by Roosevelt Roads


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Time to expropriate

Don Luis Angel and Dona Susana testify that the residents of Playas Blancas had heard

rumors that the Americans came to keep part of their land. They had not received a formal

notice prior to eviction letter. [30] It was seeing in the area planes photographing from the air

and engineers measuring the land. In 1941 the War Department of the United States

expropriated the entire eastern seaboard including Playas Blancas sector in Ceiba. Once the

eviction letters were received eviction letters, the War Department paid them for each house

$75.00 to $110.00; some a little more. About 90 families had to leave and many did not have to

where to go; divided families and neighbors were being forced to leave the area.

Don Placido Melendez and his huge family of about 17 children, were the last to leave

Playas Blancas. Placido was kept in Playas Blancas until after the war of Korea, then he was

sent the small island of Piero. Some citizens [31]did not find fair the privilege being given to

this family and had to leave Piero and settle in Las Parcelas. Other families stayed on their

property until they were given land in Aguas Claras. Some were afraid to be arrested for failing

to vacate their property on time and be sent to Atlanta. Atlanta was a very strange place, with a

different language and very distant from Puerto Rico, perhaps as far as the "end of the world."

[32]Others were aware that in wartime the President of the United States takes possession of the

children, of the land, factories, and airports for national defense, and rushed out of their property

conform, even without a place to live.


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A split in the history

Playas Blancas, Beautiful LandBy: Demetrio Gmez

I

Goodbye my beloved neighborhoodBeautiful crib of my birth

Today I bid theeWith the wounded heartI'll miss not forgottenRecalling many things

For a blissful lifeFor many years I spent

The memory takePlayas Blancas, beautiful land

II

Leaving these placesAnd I never forget

From the time I restedWhen your shady palm

Where the beautiful blossomsFrom the rushing breeze

The harmonious clarityA shining lightThat gives you light from the eastPlayas Blancas, beautiful land.

III

Today you become isolatedStrong exceedingly

Because the tragic fate

You have forsakenI will not see your treesNeither your sandy beaches

Your delicious freshnessThere will perfume the atmosphere

Today you people say goodbyeWhite beaches, beautiful land.


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IV

It was founded a chapelIn an act of religion

To modifications

All your little peopleIt has already been seen as shiningA light torch

And at the heart restsAll the believer's faithWe will always be brave

Playas Blancas, beautiful land.

V

The fishery industryIt was the efficient workAnd the living peasantAll in great harmonyWith the joyous soul

They talked about so many thingsNeighborhood so lovedToday regret the move

Playas Blancas, beautiful land.

VI

A strange landWe start with great anger

Not to live as we wishAs earlier in life

I regret this departureMarching as to the pit

My dark soulI'll breathe a sigh

From afar I admirePlayas Blancas, beautiful land.

VI I

I shall not see your pasturesNot loving landscapeWhere wave resounds

In a placid shore


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Your giant palm treesLoving the breeze

Passing through and are jealousTouch your holy groundGod of Heaven bless you

Playas Blancas, beautiful land.VIII

My soul is achingIn a fatal moment

Because I'll leave behindTo my beloved beachWhere souls united

We had as a goddessAnd a rose garden

Spilling pure environmentCaresses the rising sunPlayas Blancas, beautiful land.

[33]

The fisherman of Playas Blancas

When the federal government expropriated the coastal area of Ceiba to build

fortifications during World War II, the fishermen living in Playas Blancas remained without a

way of living. Fortunately military construction gave them a source of employment. After the

war they returned to fishing, but hampered by new landowners, and even when they were

promised they could continue fishing in the area, they found it difficult to earn a living as they

did before.


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Permits to continue fishing in that area were canceled in 1957, and since then have been

forced to use the beach in Los Machos output as a single place, having to compete with

fishermen from Fajardo area.[34]

Distribution of New Land

In 1941 the Legislature of Puerto Rico approved the Land Act, which limited the

absentee corporations to own more than 500 acres. This law undertook land reform initiatives;

the establishment of an authority in the lands of Puerto Rico; and distribution of land

expropriated in three ways: plots,one to three acres; for small farmers between 5-25 acres; and

proportional profit farms, 100 to 500 acres. Continuing is the preamble of the Land Act 1941as

follows:

"The Legislature of Puerto Rico ... declares that the land of Puerto Rico must be

considered as a source of life, dignity and economic freedom for men and women

who work, and declares that the policy of the people of Puerto Rico each person

working the land finally owns that land that sustains him."

The expropriated neighbors from Playas Blancas heard of this new approved

law. According to Don Luis Angel and writings of Don Romero, a group of

families who were homeless after having to leave Playas Blancas, went to

Fortaleza in San Juan to claim their new land.[35]Don Luis Muoz Marn, then
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President of the Senate of Puerto Rico [36],expropriates the family of hacienda

Vahamonde in Aguas Claras, the largest of Ceiba. 37] So begins the plots

development (Parcelas) in Aguas Claras, under a mutual aid plan.

" I n Ceiba see you eating bread and sleeping on the tar"

Meanwhile, Fort Bundy [38]was working to establish an artillery post while the naval

base was built. To Ceiba came people from all over the island to take advantage of job

opportunities in the base. It is said that there were 18,000 people working in the area.[39] They

came from all parts of the island, and had nowhere to settle. Many slept in hammocks under

bridges such as the one in Aguas Claras, or under houses that had souks, or ranches built in the

roadside. They ate mostly soup and bread. That's why Ceibeos are called Come Sopas (Soup

Eaters). [40]There was a somewhat a derogatory saying and known throughout the island, "In

Ceiba see you eating bread and sleeping on the tar." [41]

When the Navy was established in 1941 in Ceiba, there were new jobs and a boost to the

economy like never seen before. Economic deployment began with the highest income level and

by rapid population growth. The base changed the income earning, rather than 25 cents a day,

perhaps they would earn a $1.00 on the day. However, because of the lack of education people

of Playas Blancas had, it was not them who benefited the most of the new jobs. The highest
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civilian positions were given to those who had the education and those who had come from the

capital or the United State[42]

According to historian Scarano, [43]war channeled into Puerto Rico abundant funds to

undertake public works and military. At the same time the war effort led to the enormous

amount of private capital accumulation - corporate nature - in the United States, part of which

turned back on to the island at the end of the global conflict.

Despite this injection to the economy in the early 1940s, in reality, Ceiba did not have a

metamorphosis as a result of the occupation. According to the interviewees the center of this

town has remained the same over the years, except for some houses which were made of wood

are now concrete. Yet, most commercial efforts are made by the Ceibeos in Fajardo because of

its proximity to the city, and neither has cinemas, theaters, nor a marketplace. Although it has

seen a population growth in recent years in its periphery.


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IV

CONCLUSION

After studying the history of Playas Blancas, I can determine that those who contributed

in World War II were not only soldiers. They were also many civilians and their families, as was

mine, who lived in Guayacn, Playas Blancas in Ceiba neighborhood. Whom had to abandon

their way of life and adapt to a new one surrendering their lands to the United States Navy.

According to interviewees, although they practically lived in an economic and social

stagnation, which were dragged from two centuries, they lived happy, and there was mutual

respect. They have always felt the desire to return once again to where they were born. For the

people of Playas Blancas, the site where they were born and raised is now one odd and out of

reach to which will never be returned.

Once the crisis dwindled by the suffering of having to leave, the family settled in their

new land, larger and better houses were built, and divided inside. Each family was given one to

three acres of land, all depended on whether the family had livestock or farm. Near the new land

there was an elementary school throughout the sixth grade that was more accessible to children.

My family did not own the land in Playas Blancas, they all shared the land that belonged to Papa

Juan.


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This change brought the families out of social and economic stagnation which they were

in Playas Blancas; their lives changed dramatically. My grandfather Felix, like many others,

began working in the facilities of the Roosevelt Roads; always longed for the sea and in their

leisure returned to it; as did all Velzquez descendants of Papa Juan and Mama Julia, for the

past 60 years. My mother, Doa Susana worked from the age of 14 as a maid for American

families until she married my father Don Domingo, who grew up in El Corcho of Daguao

neighborhood. His family was also expropriated as part of the occupation of land by the United

States Navy.

Most of these families still live in Aguas Claras; though not in clans as in their past.

And so each family began to adapt to their new piece of land in Aguas Claras; but always with

the memory of his beloved homeland: Playas Blancas.

**************


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REFERENCES

Municipality of Ceiba, "On the History of the People of Ceiba data" Ceiba, PR

Anmino, Interview, Ceiba, PR, October 21, 2001.

Arturet-Melndez, Antonio, Doctor in Ministry, Interviewed, Ceiba, PR, October 7, 2001.

Arturet-Melndez, Antonio, Doctor in Ministry, History of Our Church, Ceiba, PR

Berrios, Gabriel Nelson,"A millionaire impact on the island" El Mundo, July 20, 1986, pgs 1-3.

"Cultural Resources Investigations: Naval Station Roosevelt Roads,"www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public.

Kapelusz Language Dictionary is p YearShopping, "Witch", p. 263.

Edelstein, Julius, "There are plans to invest $ 1,000,000,000" World , May 2, 1939, p. One.

Fundacin Luis Muoz Marn, "Biography, Luis Muoz Marn: The Political "www.flmm.com/pags_nuevas.

Maldonado Santana, Domingo, Interviewed , Ceiba, PR, October 7, 2001.

Mndez Ballester, Manuel, Dead Time , First Book Publishing of PR,Rio Piedras, PR, 1997, pp. 12-133.

McDonough, James M., "Roosevelt Roads: The Goliath Caribbean"World , March 23, 1988, p. 4.

Municipality of Ceiba, " Plan of Land of Ceiba:Statement of objectives and Work Plan / Draft " , 1998 pginas15-16.

United Press, Washington, DC, "Army and Navy" comments onPuerto Rico, " El Mundo , San Juan, PR, May 22, 1939, p. One.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&prev=_t&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Publichttp://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&prev=_t&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Publichttp://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&prev=_t&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.flmm.com/pags_nuevashttp://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&prev=_t&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.flmm.com/pags_nuevashttp://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&prev=_t&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.flmm.com/pags_nuevashttp://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&prev=_t&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public


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Rivera Coln, Nilsa, Ceiba: Notes for History , San Juan, 1985

Poupart Romero, Julio, Foundation and Development Ceiba , Ceiba, PR,P PAGES 48-49, 57, 71, 101.

Red Daporta, Malen, "Legends and Pescadores beach"The World: Supplement Sabatino, May 17, 1958, p. May.

Fiol Scarano, Francisco A., Puerto Rico: Five Centuries of History , McGraw-Hill, San Juan,Pages 378, 380, 383, 391-397, 544, 812, 819-820.

Velazquez-Rivera, Luis Angel, Assemblyman Municipality of Ceiba,Interviewed , Ceiba, PR, October 7, 2001.

Velazquez-Rivera, Susana, ExAsambleista the Municipality of Ceiba,Interviewed , Ceiba, PR, October 7, 2001.

Villar Roces, Mario, The Great Encyclopedia of Puerto Rico:The Municipalities of Puerto Rico, Madrid, Spain: A Log, 1977, pages 92-95.

******************************

[1] Don Julio Romero Poupart published in 1997 the book Ceiba Foundation and Development.[2] .Ms. Nilsa Rivera Coln, in 1985 published the book Ceiba: Notes for history.[3] Tells us that Doa Susana Playas Blancas was named by the Spaniards who settled in the area. Its namedescribes the color has its beaches; seems to be white crushed shells.[4] Villar Roces, Mario, The Great Encyclopedia of Puerto Rico: Municipalities of Puerto Rico, p. 92.[5] Romero Poupart, July, Ceiba Foundation and Development, p. 101[6] Romero Poupart, July, Ceiba Foundation and Development , pages. 48-49.[7] This description is given by interviewees Luis ngel Velzquez, Velzquez and Doa Susana Don AntonioArturet according to the physical aspect of their grandparents, uncles and parents.[8] It is not known for sure if the name is vasco. According to Dr. Arturet, Arturet first came on a boat from Spainto pick up merchandise; by drunkenness he had taken the day of departure, the boat left him in Playas Blancas.

[9] It is assumed that Mama Julia Melendez adopted the name from some Spanish for which his family were slaves.[10] Arturet Melendez Antonio, interviewee.[11] All those interviewed agreed this quote: Velzquez Rivera, Luis Angel; Velzquez Rivera, Susana;Anonymous; and Arturet Melendez Antonio[12] Velzquez Rivera, Susana, interviewee.[13] The time of harvest was the time of reaping and picked up the cane.[14] Maldonado Santana, Domingo, interviewee.
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[15] The time of the witch was the time of our ancestors when they were not doing any work in the cane and mostof the workers were unemployed and impoverished, usually from July to December. Dictionary Kapelusz: FromSpanish Language , p.263. This time is also known as dead time.[16]Mndez Ballester, Manuel, Dead Weather . This play describes the despair and pain of the farmer during dead

time in 1940; time when it is struggling to maintain dignity because they have nothing left.[17]Persons from Playas Blancas remember history.

[18] Arturet Melendez Antonio, interviewee.[19] Fiol Scarana, Francisco A., Puerto Rico: Five Centuries of History, p. 393.[20]These containers will be called coc as s.[21] Arturet Melendez Antonio, Respondent.[22] Fiol Scarana, Francisco A., Puerto Rico: Five Centuries of History, p. 395.[23] Monger is a peddler of low-value items.[24] Rivera Velzquez, Velzquez and Susana Rivera, Luis Angel, interviewee.[25] Information was obtained from: "Cultural Resources Investigations: Naval Station Roosevelt Roads,"www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public.[26] Edelstein, Julius, "There are plans to inve r tir $ 1,000,000,000", the World, May 2, 1939, p.1.[27] United Press, Washington, DC, "Army and Navy" comments on Puerto Rico, "El Mundo, 5/22/39, p. One.

[28] According to the "Plan of Land of Ceiba: Statement of objectives and Work Plan / Draft" of the Municipalityof Ceiba, 1998, p. 16; and references to the same Don Julio Romero in his book is also made: The Ceiba Foundationand Development , p. 23.[29] Rivera Coln, Nilsa, Ceiba: Notes for History, San Juan 1985, p. 29-30.[30] According to remind interviewee, Velzquez Rivera, Luiz Velazquez and Angel Rivera, Susana.[31] As said by the interviewee, Don Luis ngel Velzquez.[32] According to the interviewee tells Doa Susana Velzquez.[33] This poem is included in: History of Our Church written by Antonio Arturet.[34] Rojas Daporta, Malen, "Beaches of Legends and Fishermen", p. 5[35] According to the interviewee recalls Luis ngel Velzquez. Don Julio Romero also makes mention of theevent in his book Ceiba Foundation and Development , p. 57.[36] ,Fundacin Luis Muoz Marn, "The Political Biography, Luis Muoz Marn"www.flmm.com/pagsnew.[37] The estate had belonged to Aguas Claras richest landowner, the French Monsieur Pedro Danois. Upon thedeath of Mr. Danois in 1850 and his son-executor, Don Aquiles Huard, took over the farm. In 1868, according to theannotation makes slaves of Aguas Claras, this time to the succession Veve is mentioned as owner of the propertyuntil 1940 when the government expropriated Don Jos Vahamode Veve land for distribution in plots of their estate,and places the expropriated by the Base in what had been the Hacienda Aguas Claras. Poupart Romero, Julio, CeibaFoundation and Development , p. 71[38]Fort Bundy in Roosevelt Roads is set above the area where El Corcho was Daguao neighborhood. MaldonadoSantana, Domingo, Interviewed and Velzquez Rivera, Susana, Interviewee.[39] The exact number of people who worked on the construction of the Roosevelt Roads could not becorroborated. Eighteen thousand people is estimated by respondents: Velzquez Velzquez Rivera and Angel LuisRivera, Susana.[40] According to the interviewee said: Maldonado Santana, Sunday.

[41] The following respondents made mention of this phrase Arturet Melndez, Antonio; Velzquez Rivera, LuisAngel; and Velzquez Rivera, Susana. Don Julio Romeros also quoted in his book Ceiba Foundation andDevelopment , p. 57.[42] Velzquez Rivera, Luis Angel, Interviewee.[43] Fiol Scarano, Francisco A., Puerto Rico: Five Centuries of History, p. 812.
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Documents

Playas Blancas (English Version)