1945 Map of Ponce

About this map

Agricultural haciendas and organized poblaciones define the mid-century landscape of southern Puerto Rico, illustrating a transition between traditional plantation life and industrial development. Large estates such as Hacienda Margarita and Hacienda Monserrate are prominent landmarks alongside the extensive Central Mercedita sugar mill complex. The map reveals an intricate hydrological network vital to this economy, featuring Lago Guayabal and a series of numbered reservoirs like Lago No 5, which fed the coastal plains. Development centers around Juana Díaz and the outskirts of Ponce, where transport infrastructure like the Linea de Transmision and Carretera 1 connect the inland mountain foothills to the coast. Cultural and administrative life is marked by numerous small settlements, including Poblado Collores and Poblado Jacaguas, and a significant Military Reservation situated near the southeastern boundary.