To say that Puerto Rico is battle-tested is something of an understatement. Between Indian raids and the repeated assault of the world’s biggest colonial empires, this island has had its hands full.
Two factors contributed to its military growth: the most important was location: placed strategically along the sea routes between the Old world and the New, and with a deep harbor to boot, it was ideally situated to watch over the loot-laden ships returning to Spain. Secondly, its size and relative lack of natural resources (read: gold and silver) made it a less popular destination for ambitious settlers looking to make their fortunes. Its fate as a military stronghold was a logical one.
Forts and More Forts
The first true fortification in Puerto Rico was constructed in 1537, following an attack from the French in 1528. It was given the imaginative name of "The Fortress," or La Fortaleza, and it was soon deemed inadequate for the island’s defenses. In 1589, the Spanish began construction of a newer and grander fortress on the eastern promontory of the island, overlooking the bay. This was also given the imaginative name of "The Promontory," or El Morro (actually, the official name is the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro).
El Morro was an impressive and intimidating power in this part of the world. It was assaulted often, but fell only once, and never by a naval attack. In 1598, George Clifford, the Earl of Cumberland, took the fortress by a land invasion. The Earl’s successful invasion prompted the construction of another, even grander fortification to protect against any future land attacks. In 1634, the Spanish began to build what would become their largest fort in the New World: the Castillo de San Cristóbal. They also enclosed San Juan within a perimeter of stout walls. And, a smaller battery just outside the walled city (in present-day Puerta de Tierra) was enhanced and renamed the Fortín de San Gerónimo.
A Military Legacy
All this military development illustrates the major drawback that Puerto Rico suffered as a military outpost. While Spain had no problem investing in the island’s fortifications, it ignored its more civil needs. As a result, more than two centuries after Columbus planted his flag here, the island’s population was a stagnant 7,500, scattered across eight towns. But Puerto Rico’s fortunes were about to change, in tandem with the New World itself.
