Foundation:
Don Agustín Ruíz Miranda founded Hatillo (ah-TEE-yo) as a village
June 30, 1823. Its first mayor was Don Francisco Martinez. Originally the
lands consisted of a lot that was approximately ten "cuerdas" (a cuerda is
less than an acre). They were granted by Agustín Ruíz Miranda with the condition
that public buildings be erected and wide streets be built and the remaining
land be sold or yielded for homes. The lands could not be used for any other
reasons than those as stipulated by him.
The town is also known as "Hatillo del Corazón del Riego" (Hatillo Heart of
Riego) for two reasons: it had been separated from the district (barrio) of
Hato Grande de Arecibo (Great Ranch of
Arecibo). This district had been previously subdivided by the districts Hato
Arriba (High Ranch), Hato Abajo (Low Ranch) and Hatillo. These names are a
result of the main use of the lands at that time, which were the property
of Don Esteban Colón. The main part was dedicated to cattle pastures or cattle
ranches.
The second reason is a consequence of the revolution initiated by Don Rafael
de Riego y Nuñez in Spain against the absolutist government of King Fernando
VII and in tribute to his big "heart" in his liberation efforts.
A proposal by the syndicate Don Gabriel de Arana the name of "Hatillo del
Corazón de Riego" (Hatillo Heart of Riego) was given to the new city. The
governor of Puerto Rico then was Don Miguel de la Torre.
In the early years of its foundation, Hatillo had 910 inhabitants. During
the following years this increased to 2,663 distributed in the urban zone
districts (barrios) of Carrizales, Capáez, Naranjito, Corcovado, Buena Vista,
(before Yeguada Occidental), Campo Alegre, (before Yeguada Oriental), Pajuil,
Bayaney, Aibonito and Barrio Pueblo. In the 1940 census the Pajuil district
disappeared being divided between Buena Vista, Naranjito, Corcovado and Campo
Alegre.
Hatillo is known as the "Milk Industry Capital ". It is the biggest (per square
mile) producer of milk in the world and produces one-third of the milk consumed
in Puerto Rico.
Location: Hatillo
is located on the northern coast of Puerto Rico. It is bordered by: the Atlantic
Ocean to the north, Lares and Utuado to the south, Arecibo to the east, and
Camuy to the west.
Area:
109.0 sq km / 42.0 sq mi
Population:
38,925 (census 2000)
Population Density:
357.1 per sq km / 926.7 per sq mi
People are known as:
Hatillanos
Hatillo is also known as:
Capital
De La Industria Lechera (Milk Industry Capital)
Hatillo Del Corazón De Riego (Hatillo Heart of Riego)
Tierra de Campos Verdes (Land of Green Fields)
Pueblo Sin Sopa (Town Without Soup)
Los Ganaderos (The Dairy Farmers)
Nuestra Señora
del Carmen
Nuestra Señora del Carmen Parish
P.O. Box 2
Hatillo, Puerto Rico 00659-0002
(787) 898-5300
Fundation: 1830
Matron's day: July 16
Topography: Located
between the mountains and the coastal plains, it forms part of the zone designated
as the Plateau of the Northwest where there is a predominantly level coastal
strip. Towards the interior of the municipality the topography becomes irregular.
Hydrography:
Camuy River
Economy:
Today dairy farms
dominate the industry of the town and some factories as a secon alternative
help promote the economy. Hatillo is the biggest (per square mile) producer
of milk of the world and produces one-third part consumed in Puerto Rico.
Plaza del North Mall located in the district of Carrizalez is the fifth mall
in importance of the country.
Flag:
The flag consists
of three stripes:
Blue represents
the sea
Yellow
the material and artistic wealth of the town
Green the
vegetation of its fields in all its territorial extension
Coat Of Arms:
A divided and semi-cut shield:
On top, a gold crown with
three towers.
In a silver field a Custard
Apple tree (annona reticulata).
In one field two cows in
gold.
Eight blue and silver-plated
waves.
To the center a shield of
"La Orden del Carmen".
Under the shield as a motto
the inscription, Hatillo Del Corazón.
Symbolisms:
The crown establishes the
category of town for Hatillo and symbolizes the union of all its citizens.
The Custard Apple tree
(annona reticulata) and the cows, allusive to a cattle ranch, are
the voice of the town, which graphically proclaims the original name of
the town Hatillo del Corazón de Riego.
The silver plated and blue
waves represents the beach of Hatillo.
To the center, the shield
of La Orden del Carmen, which symbolizes the matron of the population,
which is in Puerto Rico an important center of this Mariana avocation.
Public Schools sorted by educational levels.
Updated: 08/07/2003
Arecibo Region
Hatillo District
Author Charlie Aguilar
Musical arrangement Papo Sánchez
De un mar azul en el Atlántico
De verdes campos a todo largo
Olas plateadas jugando en blanco
Es este pueblo, pueblo afanado.
Con tradiciones de gran legado
De ilustres hombres muy aclamados
Poetas libres y literarios
Que son orgullo del proletario. Máscaras típicas de Islas Canarias
Como es el Truco también traído
Y en los deportes reconocidos
Esos son frutos bien cosechados. Lolen Coballes, P.H. Hernández
Felipe y Cosme de los Aranas
Y con Don Lalo, bellos paisajes
Fueron pintados por Don Oscar. Piedra del Hombre de Pedro Pablo
La cuesta vieja; la del Guamá
Son pintorescos de su inventario
Pueblo de Hatillo, pueblo afamado.
Miguelito Alcaide Monument
Events:
Truco
(card game) - all year
Fiestas de la Cruz - May
San Juan Day - June
Matron Celebration- July
Festival Típico del Cooperativismo - October
Festival de las Máscaras - 28 December (colorful mask festival)
Tipical Festivities - December
Curiosities:
Hatillo has the
biggest pot in Puerto Rico. Measuring 8 feet across by 2½ feet deep. It has
traveled all over the island for activities. In one occasion 2,400 lbs. of
rice, ham, chicken and other ingredients were prepared. The owner is Dr. Sigfredo
(Fifo) Aguilar.
Places To Visit:
Parish
Robinson Schoolhouse
Hacienda Santa Rosa Ruins
Trapiche de Santa Rosa
Antigua Central Bayaney
Pagan Caverns
Hatillo Caverns
Sardinera Beach
La Marina
Del Carmen Walk
José Antonio Monrouzeau Theater
Francisco Deida Méndez Stadium
Los Ilustres Park
Colonial Walk
Plaza Norte Mall
Casa De Playa Country Inn
Distinguished Citizens:
Fernando Ledesma
José R. Millán
Ramón Millán
José P.H. Hernández (biography)
Luis H. Lacomba
Lorenzo Coballes Gandia
Pedro Pablo Vargas
Felipe Arana
José Antonio Monrouzeau
Pablo J. Aguilar
Oscar Colón Delgado
(biography)
Carmelo Rodríguez
Juan R. (Roco) García
Dr. Francisco M. Susoni
Sen. Velda González
(biography)
Manuel Alcaide Cordero
Dr. Guillermo Curbelo
Hatillo
Mayors 1823 - Present
Year
Mayor
Year
Mayor
1823-?
Francisco
Martínez
1932-1936
Pablo
J. Aguilar
?-1899
No
Data
1936-1938
Francisco
Estades
1899-1901
Fernando
P. Ledesma
1938-1940
No
Data
1902-1908
No
Data
1940-1944
José
Hawayek
1908-1910
Fernando
P. Ledesma
1944-1960
Manuel
Alcaide Cordero
1910-1912
Isidoro
González
1960-1964
Juan
Reyes Romero
1912-1914
Juan
Mora Acosta
1964-1972
Ramón
Ruíz Vélez
1914-1918
Juan
Bautista Román
1972-1984
Víctor
M. Ávila Román
1918-1922
José
Casanova
1984-1990
Francisco
Deida Méndez
1922-1928
No
Data
1990-
2004
Juan
Luis Cuevas Castro
1928-1932
Fernando
Velázquez
2004-Present
José
"Chely" Rodríguez
Source: Municipality
of Hatillo
Mayor:
Hon. José "Chely" Rodríguez (PPD)
P.O. Box 8
Hatillo, Puerto Rico 00659
(787) 820-4417
2004 General Election Results
Municipality of Hatillo
Foundation:
Don Agustín Ruíz Miranda founded Hatillo (ah-TEE-yo) as a village
June 30, 1823. Its first mayor was Don Francisco Martinez. Originally the
lands consisted of a lot that was approximately ten "cuerdas" (a cuerda is
less than an acre). They were granted by Agustín Ruíz Miranda with the condition
that public buildings be erected and wide streets be built and the remaining
land be sold or yielded for homes. The lands could not be used for any other
reasons than those as stipulated by him. 
Location: Hatillo
is located on the northern coast of Puerto Rico. It is bordered by: the Atlantic
Ocean to the north, Lares and Utuado to the south, Arecibo to the east, and
Camuy to the west. 
Hymn:
Curiosities:
