Centro Español de Ponce

The The Centro Español de Ponce is a historic structure located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, dating to the early twentieth century and which served as the last headquarters of the Centro Español de Ponce, a Spanish heritage club. The structure is prominent among other Neoclassical architecture in Ponce because it is the first structure in Ponce built in that architectural style for use as a residence but then subsequently used as the headquarters of a prominent community-based civic organization, the Centro Español de Ponce, a Spanish heritage club.LocationThe structure is located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on the north side of Calle Villa, at the northwest corner of the intersection with calle Mendez Vigo.HistoryThe house was designed in 1911 by Ponce architect Eduardo Salich. It was built for Don Fernando Manuel Toro and his wife Doña Adela Cortada. The family occupied the house for several generations.On 17 November 1961, the building became the headquarters for the Centro Español de Ponce, a prominent civic organization working for the preservation of Spanish heritage in the city.Centro Español clubThe Centro Español de Ponce club was founded on 14 October 1906. Its founders were a group of Spanish residents of the city of Ponce. Most prominent among its founders were Francisco Oliver Culvelje, Bartolome Arbona, Jacinto Arbona, and Pedro Gispert, but the total group of founders included some 20 other local Spanish residents. The purpose of the organization was to preserve the Spanish heritage in Ponce. The first meeting place was at Number 10 on what is now the perimeter of Plaza Las Delicias. The club’s first directing board included such prominent Ponce residents as Bernardo Valdecilla, Pedro Juan Bonnin, Manuel Gandara, Antonio Vicens, Francisco Font, and Bartolome Melia.