Alto del Cabro / Campo Alegre, Puerto Rico

Alto del Cabro and Campo Alegre are two barrios adjacent to each other with similar characteristics and part of Santurce's 40 “sub-barrios” (neighborhoods) with a combined land area of 0,28 km² (279.778 m²), and a resident population of 2.106 as of U.S. Census of 2000. They are located between Expreso Baldorioty de Castro to the north, Ponce de León Avenue to the south, Cerra Street to the west and Canals and Robles Streets to the east.

This eminently proletarian sub-barrios, urbanized during the XIX century, is one of the oldest sections of Santurce, the perpendicular streets running north of Ponce de León Avenue are those corresponding to old “toponymical alignments” of the proprietors throughout “Carretera Central”, (presently Ponce de León Avenue).

Today some Masonry structures in the “criollo neoclassic style”, with two or three-opening façades with store (tienda) on street level still subsist, although the sector is characterized mainly by its wood vernacular “pueblerino criollo” constructions.

The most prominent structure of the area, both from the architectural and historical point of view, is the “Plaza del Mercado de Santurce” (Santurce marketplace). It is centrally located in the Santurce District, in the center of barrio Campo Alegre and was constructed in the first decade of last century. Today, as always, the market stocks fresh farmland produce and provisions; tropical fruits, vegetables and yams to herbs & spices and medicinal & aromatic plants, … a delight for housewives to chefs alike. At noon and in the evenings, quaint restaurants and cantinas with “al fresco” sitting surrounding the Plaza have become popular with the buttoned-up and the bohemian crowds.

Bibliography

* Cangrejos - Santurce - Aníbal Sepúlveda, Jorge Carbonell, San Juan 1988. Centro de Investigaciones CARIMAR. Oficina Estatal de Preservación Histórica.