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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, August 20, 2015: Central Aguirre, Salinas Puerto Rico

Aguirre Central office

 

For many years growing sugar was the main industry in Puerto Rico. It has left many abandoned plantations in its wake. But Aguirre Central goes way beyond a plantation.

 

Aguirre was a company town. And its purpose was refining sugar. The first refinery, built in the late 1800's was a brick building.

 

 

 

Aguirre Hacienda 02

Aguirre Hacienda 04

Aguirre hacienda 10

Aguirre Hacienda 13 Dahlma and Carmelo

But as the demand for sugar grew so did the operation, and a new factory was built. The town grew around the factory, with all houses owned by the company.

 

 

Aguirre House 2

Aguirre House 3

Aguirre House 4

When the company went our of business in the 1970's the houses were "sold" to the families of the former workers for $1, but the families are forbidden from selling the houses, they can only pass them down to the next generation.

 

But the real find is the abandoned factory itself:

 

Aguirre Central 04

Aguirre Central 05

Aguirre Central 06

 

Aguirre Central 13

Attachments

Images (13)
  • Aguirre Central office
  • Aguirre Hacienda 02
  • Aguirre Hacienda 04
  • Aguirre hacienda 10
  • Aguirre Hacienda 13 Dahlma and Carmelo
  • Aguirre House 2
  • Aguirre House 3
  • Aguirre House 4
  • Aguirre Central 04
  • Aguirre Central 05
  • Aguirre Central 06
  • Aguirre Central 12
  • Aguirre Central 13

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