Culebra history

Foundation and First Mentions

Although Christopher Columbus sighted this island during his second voyage in 1493, for centuries Culebra remained virtually uninhabited. For a long time, the island, known to the indigenous Taino people, served as a temporary refuge for pirates and fishermen seeking shelter from storms.

The official history of permanent settlement began only in the late 19th century. On October 27, 1880, Colonel Cayetano Escudero founded the first settlement, named San Ildefonso de la Culebra. This event became the starting point in the formation of the island's modern community.

Key Formation Factors

The development of Culebra was determined by its unique geographical position and the geopolitical interests of that time:

• Strategic Geography: Its location between the main island of Puerto Rico and the island of St. Thomas made Culebra an important point for controlling maritime routes in the region.
• Political Necessity: The Spanish Crown initiated active settlement ("Royal Decree of Graces") to secure sovereignty over the territory and prevent its seizure by other powers or use by smugglers.
• Natural Harbours: Deep and protected bays, such as Ensenada Honda, created ideal conditions for the safe anchoring of vessels.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The first settlers, arriving from the main island of Puerto Rico and neighbouring Vieques, formed a lifestyle closely tied to the sea and the land. The early economy was based on subsistence farming:

• Fishing: The abundance of marine life made fishing and turtle catching the main source of sustenance and income.
• Agriculture: Residents grew plantains, bananas, yams, and corn, and also engaged in raising cattle and goats adapted to the local climate.
• Charcoal: The production of charcoal from local timber and mangroves was one of the island's first export items.

Chronology of Culebra's Development

• 1493 — Christopher Columbus discovers the island during his second voyage to the New World, yet it remains uninhabited for centuries.
• 1880 — The first permanent settlement, San Ildefonso de la Culebra, is founded under the leadership of Cayetano Escudero.
• 1898 — Following the Spanish-American War, the island comes under the jurisdiction of the United States of America.
• 1901 — President Theodore Roosevelt transfers Culebra's civil lands to the jurisdiction of the US Navy.
• 1909 — The Culebra National Wildlife Refuge is established, one of the oldest ornithological sanctuaries in the region.
• 1939 — The island begins to be used by the US Navy as a range for artillery practice and bombing exercises prior to World War II.
• 1970 — Local residents and activists organize mass peaceful protests against military exercises on the island.
• 1975 — The US Navy officially ceases using Culebra as a testing ground and withdraws its forces from the island.
• 1980s — An active process of land cleanup and economic reorientation towards ecological tourism begins.
• 2000s — Flamenco Beach receives global recognition, regularly appearing in rankings of the best beaches on the planet.

Stages of Development and Their Impact on the Island

The history of Culebra is a journey from a strategic military outpost to a world-renowned eco-resort. Each era has left its mark on the layout of settlements and the lifestyle of the islanders.

• Organised Colonisation (1880): The founding of the first official settlement of San Ildefonso marked the transition from spontaneous habitation to planned development. The Spanish administration divided the land into plots, which stimulated the development of agriculture and livestock farming as the island's first economic base.
• Canal Construction (Early 20th Century): One of the most important engineering milestones was the creation of a canal connecting the inner harbour of Ensenada Honda with the western coast. Originally conceived for military purposes, today this waterway plays a key role in navigation and logistics, ensuring safe passage for small vessels.
• Formation of the Centre in Dewey: With the arrival of the American administration, the centre of public life shifted to the Dewey area (known among locals as Pueblo). This defined the modern urban structure: all commercial and administrative activity concentrated around the ferry crossing, creating a compact city core.
• Era of Military Presence (1939–1975): The use of the island as a US Navy testing ground froze the development of large tourism infrastructure and agriculture. However, paradoxically, this saved Culebra from the chaotic construction characteristic of other Caribbean islands in the mid-century.
• Land Reform and Nature Conservation (Post-1975): After the military departure, significant territories were transferred not for hotel construction, but to the jurisdiction of the Fish and Wildlife Service. This decision became the foundation for modern eco-tourism, making pristine nature Culebra's main economic asset.
• Reorientation to a Service and Tourism Economy (1990s — Present): The global recognition of Flamenco Beach led to the rapid development of small businesses. The island's economy transformed: instead of fishing and work at military facilities, the main sources of income became accommodation rentals, transport leasing, and the restaurant business.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Culebra differs radically from the ancient colonial centres of large cities. Here you will not find Gothic cathedrals or lavish Baroque styles. The island's appearance was formed under the influence of a harsh tropical climate, limited resources, and specific military history. It is a story of adaptation and functionality.

Main Architectural Stages

The development of the island progressed in waves, reflecting changes in political administration and economic systems:

• Spanish Colonial Period (Late 19th Century):

  Characterised by the only monumental stone structures on the archipelago. In civil construction, a simple "Creole" style prevailed: wooden frame houses on stilts for protection against floods and pests, with high ceilings for ventilation and zinc roofs.

• Period of Military Presence (1901–1975):

  An era of utilitarian concrete and engineering structures. The US Navy erected observation posts, bunkers, warehouses, and piers. The architecture of this time is devoid of decoration: it is pure functionalism, designed for durability and resistance to hurricanes. Many of these objects are now abandoned or integrated into the landscape.

• Modern Caribbean Style (From the 1980s):

  After the military departure, the era of private construction began. The main material is reinforced concrete, capable of withstanding storms. Houses are painted in bright tropical colours (turquoise, coral, yellow). Eco-villas and guest houses, integrated into the natural terrain with minimal environmental impact, are actively developing.

Urban Structure: Dewey

The only urban-type settlement on the island is the Dewey district (known among locals as Pueblo). Its layout is extremely simple and has not changed for decades:

• Linear-Network Structure: The town is formed by several parallel streets wedged between hills and the canal.
• Absence of Zoning: Residential houses sit alongside restaurants, shops, and administrative buildings.
• Orientation to Water: The centre of attraction is the ferry terminal; all city life is concentrated around the main pier and the bridge.

Iconic Structures and Objects

Despite its modest size, Culebra possesses objects that form its unique visual code:

• Culebrita Lighthouse (Faro de Culebrita): Built by the Spanish Crown in 1886, this lighthouse is the oldest and most architecturally significant building. It is executed in the style of classical colonial engineering from stone and brick, representing a rare example of 19th-century historical heritage.
• Drawbridge (Puente Levadizo): A recognisable symbol of Dewey. The metal drawbridge across the Ensenada Honda canal is not just a crossing, but a monument to early 20th-century engineering thought, retaining its significance for navigation.
• "Painted Tanks" on Flamenco Beach: A unique example of spontaneous public art. Rusty Sherman tanks left by the American military were painted by local artists and tourists, transforming from symbols of militarism into bright art objects and a calling card of the island.

Outstanding Figures in the History of Culebra

The history of the island is inextricably linked with the names of people who founded the first settlements here, protected nature from military use, and brought international fame to Culebra.

• Cayetano Escudero Sanz
  Founder and First Delegate
  A key figure in the history of the island's settlement. In 1880, he led a group of the first colonists and founded the settlement of San Ildefonso de la Culebra (the modern administrative centre). It was he who conducted the first land surveying, which allowed the island to transform from a temporary haven for fishermen into a permanent place of residence.
• Richard Copaken
  Lawyer and Defender of the Island
  An American lawyer hired by the residents of Culebra in the 1970s for the legal battle against the US Navy. His strategy and the book "Target Culebra" played a decisive role in ending the military exercises. Copaken worked pro bono (free of charge), defending the rights of the islanders in Washington and helping to preserve the archipelago's unique nature.
• Rubén Berríos Martínez
  Political Figure and Activist
  Leader of the protest movement of the 1970s. He organised peaceful acts of civil disobedience by setting up a tent camp directly on Flamenco Beach, within the artillery firing zone. His actions attracted global attention to the island's plight and accelerated the withdrawal of military forces in 1975.
• Pedro Morales
  Sports Legend
  The most famous native of Culebra, who became a global wrestling star. He became the first Latin American to win the World Heavyweight Championship title (WWF) in 1971. Morales is a national pride of Puerto Rico and a symbol of how a native of a small island can achieve global success.
• Claro C. Feliciano
  Historian and Writer
  A local chronicler who dedicated his life to documenting the oral history and daily life of the islanders. His works, including the book "Apuntes y comentarios de la colonización y liberación de la Isla de Culebra", are the main source of knowledge about the island's transition from Spanish rule to American and about the everyday life of residents in the 20th century.
• Stevens
  First Warden (19th Century)
  A mysterious historical figure of the pre-colonial period. In 1875, even before official settlement, this native of the British Isles was appointed by the Spanish authorities as the "overseer" of Culebra. He controlled the fishing trade and protected the island's forests from illegal logging by foreigners, becoming the first representative of authority on this land.