Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza

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Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza
Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza.jpg
Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza in 1977
Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza is located in Puerto Rico
Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza
Location of Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza in Manatí, Puerto Rico
Nearest cityManatí, Puerto Rico
Area2,265 acres (917 ha)
NRHP reference No.76002190[1]
Added to NRHPAugust 11, 1976
Map showing the Hacienda Azucarera La Esperanza to the east of the Río Grande de Manatí

Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza was a 2265-acre sugarcane plantation in Manatí, Puerto Rico which was founded in the 1830s and by the 1860s was one of the largest in Puerto Rico. It remained operational from 1830 - 1880.[2]

History[]

The plantation depended on mechanized technology along with slaves which numbered 175 in 1873. The first mill on the plantation produced 100-150 tons of raw sugar every harvest. A second mill is estimated to have generated 200 tons while a third mill produced between 500-600 tons.[3]

Two steam engines were purchased to mechanize sugar production at the hacienda: one in 1841 and another in 1861. The Steam trapiche purchased in 1861 remains on the property making it the last known engine of its kind that remains preserved.[4][5] The Hacienda La Esperanza steam engine has been designated a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. Today the entire property is owned by the (FCPR, for the initials in Spanish) which preserves and protects it, the property includes some of the only coastal forest left in the region.

Owner[]

José Ramon Fernández was the Marqués de la Esperanza.

José Ramon Fernández (1808–1883), an influential, conservative politician and businessman, owned Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza. Ramon was named Marqués de la Esperanza by Spain during a tumultuous time in Puerto Rico.The crisis allowed Ramon to purchase more land and expand the Hacienda.[3]

Ramon, the 1st Marquis of La Esperanza was the wealthiest sugar baron in Puerto Rico in the 19th century. He was also one of the most powerful men of the entire Spanish Caribbean.[6]

Gallery[]

  • View of sugar mill ruins showing chimney and masonry base of steam engine and cane mill at right, ca. 1968

  • One of the two steam engines at the hacienda

  • View of open end of purging house in 1977

  • Interior view of coach and wagon storage area under house in 1977

  • View of dining room in 1977

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza". National Park Service. Retrieved August 31, 2020. With accompanying pictures
  3. ^ a b "Central Hacienda La Esperanza, Manatí". web.metro.inter.edu. Retrieved 2021-06-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Mira todo lo que puedes hacer en la Hacienda La Esperanza". Primera Hora (in Spanish). 2017-07-13. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  5. ^ Túa @lynetonline, Metro Puerto Rico-Lynet Santiago. "Hacienda La Esperanza de Manatí presentará su trapiche de vapor en funcionamiento". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  6. ^ Torres, Juan (9 April 2012). "Biografía de Jose R Fernandez-Marques de la Esperanza". manati.info (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2020.

External links[]


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