Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Río Piedras is the largest district of the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Founded in 1714, it has been the home of the University of Puerto Rico's main campus since 1903, earning the town the popular name of University City. Rio Piedras was recognized as a municipality until 1951 when it became part of San Juan.
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[edit] History
Río Piedras' origins go back to 1714 when a settlement along the shores of the Piedras river was recognized by Governor Juan de Rivera. Originally known as El Roble, it eventually adopted the name of the river that crossed its territory (Río Piedras in Spanish).
During the nineteenth Century, most of its territory was used for agricultural and livestock-raising purposes. Sugar cane, cotton and coffee were some of the goods produced during this era at the municipality.
On May 12, the University of Puerto Rico was founded in Río Piedras. The university was a central part of the development of Rio Piedras, both in housing and economically. Even though the campus covers a very small portion of the territory, it is considered the unofficial symbol of the old town. Currently, the Río Piedras Campus is recognized as the main campus in the University of Puerto Rico system. The Botanical Gardens of the University are also located at Río Piedras.
The municipality became part of the capital city of San Juan on July 1, 1951, after the approval of Project 177 of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. By this, the territory of San Juan increased to four times its former size. The last mayor of the municipality of Río Piedras was Ángeles Méndez de López Corver.
Public transportation is enhanced by the Urban Train “Metro” system which has stations at the University's campus and at the center of Río Piedras. Even though the former are considered the current stations at Río Piedras, all stops of the train in the municipality of San Juan are located in areas that were part of the City of Río Piedras prior to 1951.
At the heart of Río Piedras is where “Avenida de Diego” is located, a one-kilometer pedestrianized shopping street where good bargains can be found and is very active during the day. “Plaza del Mercado de Río Piedras” (Río Piedras Marketplace) is the largest of its kind on the island and features a series of shops that offer goods and services. Ponce de León Avenue is popular with bookstores and small theaters and with students, faculty, and intellectuals in the community.
[edit] Notable natives and residents
- Daddy Yankee, Rapper/Reggaetón artist
- Angel Pagán, outfielder for the New York Mets
- Joel Pineiro, starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
- J.C. Romero, relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies
- Alexander Díaz, french culinary institute alumni and New York City chef
- Rubén "El Indio" Sierra, a former Major League Baseball outfielder, Sierra also goes by the nickname "El Caballo"
- Rubén Gotay, 2nd baseman for the New York Mets
- Pedro Feliciano, pitcher for the New York Mets
- Bengie Molina, catcher for the San Francisco Giants
- Joaquin Phoenix, actor
- La India, a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award-nominated noted salsa singer also known as the "Princess of Salsa".
- Tito Nieves, salsa singer
