Mavilla Bridge
{{Short description|Bridge on NRHP in Corozal, Puerto Rico}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Mavilla Bridge
| nrhp_type =
| image = Puente de Mavilla, Corozal, Puerto Rico (2).jpg
| caption = Mavilla Bridge (Ca. 2024)
| nearest_city = Corozal, Puerto Rico
| locmapin = Puerto Rico
| coordinates = {{Coord|18|21|07|N|66|17|50|W|display=inline,title}}
| built = {{Start date|1903}}
| builder = Roque Paniagua; José García-González
| architecture = segmented arch
| added = July 19, 1995
| area = less than {{convert|1|acre}}
| mpsub = [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/64500544.pdf Historic Bridges of Puerto Rico MPS]
| refnum = 95000848{{NRISref|version=2013a}}
| designated_other1_name = Puerto Rico Historic Sites and Zones
| designated_other1_color = #fa7070
| designated_other1_num_position = bottom
| designated_other1_number = 2000-(RC)-22-JP-SH
| designated_other1_abbr = RNSZH
| designated_other1_date = March 15, 2001
}}
The Mavilla Bridge ({{langx|es|Puente de Mavilla}}), or Bridge 354, is located at kilometer 17.7 on Puerto Rico Highway 159 between Corozal and Bayamón, Puerto Rico.{{cite web|url=http://www.oech.pr.gov/ProgramaConservacionHistorica/PlanEstatal/ApendiceHerramientasPlan2012-2016/Lista%20de%20propiedades%20de%20PR%20incluidas%20en%20el%20Registro%20Nacional%20Diciembre%202012.pdf |publisher=Oficina Estatal de Conservación Histórica |title=Propiedades de Puerto Rico incluidas en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos |author=José E. Marull |date=December 28, 2012 |format=PDF |page=10 |language=es |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020071218/http://www.oech.pr.gov/ProgramaConservacionHistorica/PlanEstatal/ApendiceHerramientasPlan2012-2016/Lista%20de%20propiedades%20de%20PR%20incluidas%20en%20el%20Registro%20Nacional%20Diciembre%202012.pdf |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |access-date=April 12, 2021}} The bridge has maintained most of its original design and structure over the years. It was constructed in 1903 replacing a wooden bridge that had been at the location since 1853, and served as a road between Toa Alta and Bayamón municipalities, in the 19th century.{{cite web|url=https://centroculturaldecorozal.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/6/ |title=Puente de Mavilla del Municipio de Corozal |author=Martín Rosado González |publisher=Centro Cultural de Corozal |date=February 26, 2014 |language=es |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411002719/https://centroculturaldecorozal.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/6/ |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |access-date=April 10, 2021}}
Description
Built in 1903, the bridge has not been altered much since its beginnings. Its construction cost $3,000 and 80 men worked on its construction under the direction of Roque Paniagua. In 1909, the contractor José García González added a concrete balustrade at a cost of $644. Its construction in 1903 eased transportation between Corozal and nearby towns of Toa Alta, Orocovis, Vega Alta and Naranjito. This is the oldest, concrete-lowered, arch bridge and one of the most attractive. The bridge span is {{convert|25.5|m|sp=us}} long and {{convert|4.6|m|sp=us}} wide.{{cite web|url=https://app.box.com/s/rm8asi7uz7k179at3vs3 |title=Los Puentes Históricos de Puerto Rico |author=Luis F. Pumarada O’Neill |year=1991 |format=PDF |pages=57–58 |language=es |access-date=April 10, 2021}} Its arch is 50 feet above the Mavilla River. Mavilla Bridge was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places list on July 19, 1995.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=95000848}} |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Mavilla Bridge |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=April 9, 2021}} With {{NRHP url|id=95000848 |photos=y |title=accompanying pictures}}
Río Mavilla, Corozal-Vega Alta, Puerto Rico (1).jpg|Río Mavilla under the Mavilla Bridge
Folklore
There is a legend of a woman who lives around the Mavilla Bridge. In {{lang|es|Diez de mis cuentos}} (Ten of My Stories), author Sixto Febus writes that one night, while returning from work, he picked up a woman from the side of the road who was standing near the Mavilla Bridge. He did not get a good look at her as she got into the back seat of his car. He tried making small talk with the woman but she did not talk until when she finally spoke, it was to ask she be dropped off at the cemetery.{{cite web|url=http://www.corozalmail.com/puentemavillas.htm |publisher=Corozalmail |title=Puente Mavillas |author=Rafy Pagán |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818093416/http://www.corozalmail.com/puentemavillas.htm |archive-date=August 18, 2018 |access-date=April 10, 2021}} It was when she exited the car that he looked at her as she was walking away and noticed she was headless.{{cite web|url=https://noticiasponce.com/2019/09/29/la-leyenda-del-puente-de-mavillas-corozal-y-su-mujer-sin-cabeza/ |publisher=Noticias de Ponce |title=La leyenda del Puente Mavillas Corozal y su mujer sin cabeza |author=J. Santiago |date=September 29, 2019 |language=es |access-date=April 12, 2021}}
See also
{{Portal|Puerto Rico}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://issuu.com/prshpo/docs/patrimonio_volumen__iv Patrimonio, vol. 4 (2012) - Revista oficial de la Oficina Estatal de Conservación Histórica - Obras de infraestructura] {{in lang|es}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Puerto Rico}}
{{Subject bar|auto=y|d=y}}
Category:Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Puerto Rico
Category:Bridges completed in 1903
Category:1903 establishments in Puerto Rico
Category:Arch bridges in the United States
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Bayamón, Puerto Rico