Naranjito, Puerto Rico

Naranjito, Puerto Rico

The Town of Colors

naranjito lago
Lake La Plata, Naranjito, P.R.

Naranjito (nah-rahn-HEE-to) is known as “The Town of Colors” and the “Blackbird Town.” The patron saint’s festival is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, and is held around September 29. The town also celebrates the 13th of June in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua.

Naranjito is in the central eastern region of Puerto Rico. Naranjito is one of the municipalities in the northern hills region.

It is bordered on the north by Toa Alta, on the south by Barranquitas and Comerío, on the east by Bayamón, and on the west by Corozal.

This town has traditionally grown coffee, tobacco, and produce, and hosted a dairy industry, especially for the production of milk. There is some manufacturing, principally needlework factories.

Foundation:

Naranjito’s struggle to become a municipality began in 1810. After many setbacks with the rich and powerful interests of the era, authorization was obtained to found the town on December 3, 1824.

This town was founded in 1824 after being separated from Toa Alta. With official, civil and religious documents from Toa Alta in their possession, the inhabitants of seven wards were empowered to demand justice from the government to separate them from Toa Alta and found the new municipality. It was founded in the ward of the same name in lands donated by Don Braulio Morales and Doña Manuela Rivera. Don Braulio Morales was named Founding Captain and first mayor.

The name of Naranjito (small orange tree) derives from a tree that was used as a point of reference for a short cut to town.

In 1902, the Puerto Rico legislature passed a law to consolidate certain municipalities, including Naranjito. This time its officials and wards became part of the town in Bayamón. The law was repealed by the legislature in 1905, and Naranjito recovered its sovereignty with the same borders and wards.

Location:

mapa naranjitoNaranjito is located in the central area of the island of Puerto Rico. It is bordered by: Toa Alta to the north, Bayamón to the east, Corozal to the west, and Comerío and Barranquitas to the south.

Area:

73.0 sq km / 27.7 sq mi

Population:

29,709 (census 2000)

Population Density:

406.9 per sq km / 1,072.5 per sq mi

People are known as:

Naranjiteños

Naranjito is also known as:

La Ciudad de los Colores (The Town of Colors)
El Pueblo de los Changos (The Changos Town)

Wards: Naranjito, Puerto Rico

barrios naranjito

Census 2000:
Population by Wards – Naranjito
Habitants
Achiote4,310
Anones4,518
Cedro Abajo4,278
Cedro Arriba3,556
Guadiana3,931
Lomas4,126
Naranjito Town1,150
Nuevo3,840
Total 29,709

Información: Negociado del Censo de los EE.UU. Censo 2000

Patron:

San Miguel Arcángel
San Miguel Arcángel Parish
Apartado 68
Naranjito, P.R. 00719
(787) 869-2840

naranjito iglesia
Parroquia San Miguel Arcángel

Topography:

Corresponde a los municipios situados en la región húmeda de las Colinas del Norte. La parte sur de su territorio es la más elevada.

Hydrography:

It is bathed by the Guadiana, Toa, Mavilla and Cañas rivers and the Mula, Ciénaga, Riachuelo, Quebradillas, La Pruda, Abarca, La Gloria, Jaguas and Anones gorges. The hydrographic system of this municipality also contains the La Plata lake or reservoir.

Economy:

Based mainly in services, comerce and the production of fruits, cattle, poultry, and several small factories.

Average Salary:

$250.76 weekly (1998)

Flag:

naranjito banderaIt consists of an orange flag crossed by two narrow green stripes close to the superior and inferior edges. The orange color proclaims the name of the town of Naranjito. The green stripes represent the color of the fields and mountains that surround the town.

Coat Of Arms:

naranjito escudoIt consists of a red cross that is symbol of San Miguel de Arcángel, Patron of Naranjito. The globe with the cross symbolizes the power and sovereignty of God. The gold and red stripes that appear in the second and third quarters, constitute the primitive baton of the Guafiana lineage. The lily twigs are a tribute of San Antonio de Padua, confessor and doctor of the Church. The orange tree represents the small tree that gave the town’s name, Naranjito. The crown is symbol of moral unit of the town.

Places To Visit:

  • Gelito Ortega basketball court
  • Cedro Abajo falls
  • Las Avispas ridge
  • La Plata Lake
  • Anones park and lookout point
  • La Marina promenade
  • Municipal swimming pool
  • Troubadours Square

Events:

  • Mothers’ day – May
  • Men’s superior volleyball tournament – May to July
  • Saint Anthony’s Day – June
  • Blackbirds Festival – June
  • Sweetsop Festival – June
  • Patron saint’s festival – September

Distinguished Citizens:

  • José Archilla-Cabrera – Professor, poet, and pharmacist
  • Ernesto Cabrera – Prominent political figure and member of the House of Representatives in 1972.
  • Aurelio Gracia-Morales – Attorney and superior judge
  • Francisco “Paquito” López Cruz – Musician and folklorist, author of La música folklórica en Puerto Rico and Método para tocar cuatro. He is credited with reviving interest in Puerto Rican folk music.
  • Francisco (Paco) Roque – Poet
  • Mercedes Rosado – Attorney and superior judge

Naranjito Public Schools sorted by educational levels.

Naranjito Distict

Name Level Telephone Address
BERNARDA ROBLES DE HEVIAELEMENTAL(787) 869-1433PO BOX 5822
DON MANOLO RIVERAELEMENTAL(787) 869-6119PO BOX 916
FELIPA SÁNCHEZ CRUZADOELEMENTAL(787) 869-4117PO BOX 3280
JOSÉ ARCHILLA CABRERAELEMENTAL(787) 869-3230PO BOX 926
LOMAS VALLESELEMENTAL(787) 869-1213PO BOX 850
NUEVA ESCUELA ELEMENTALELEMENTAL(787) 869-5005PO BOX 790
ROSA LUZ ZAYASELEMENTAL(787) 869-3976PO BOX 848
SILVESTRE MARTÍNEZELEMENTAL(787) 869-1266HC 73 BOX 5548
COLEEN VÁZQUEZ URRUTIAINTERMEDIO(787) 869-1309PO BOX 916
MERCEDES ROSADOINTERMEDIO(787) 869-3130PO BOX 859
ADOLFO GARCÍASEGUNDA UNIDAD(787) 869-4008PO BOX 2765
FIDEL G. PADILLASEGUNDA UNIDAD(787) 869-0655PO BOX 916
PEDRO FERNÁNDEZSEGUNDA UNIDAD(787) 869-4787HC 71 BOX 3788
FRANCISCO MORALESSUPERIOR(787) 869-5277PO BOX 25

Hymn:

Lirics by José Archilla Cabrera – Music by Paquito López Cruz

Naranjito es mi hogar predilecto
de Borinquen un plácido Edén,
Mis cariños por ti son eternos,
porque tú eres el alma del bien.

En un valle profundo reposa el Guadiana
el eterno rumor te circundan preciosas colinas
y te mira del cielo el Señor.
¿Qué me importan las grandes ciudades?
si allí imperan el vicio y la maldad
en ti luce la sana costumbre
en ti brilla la Santa hermandad.

Eres culto la Diosa Minerva
da su ciencia profusa por ti,
por la Esteves también
Teresita que se yerguen triunfantes aquí.

Cuando cese mi vida yo ansío pueblo amado
un humilde rincón donde pueda dormir
al regazo de mi tierra que hallara Colón.
Naranjito es mi hogar predilecto de Borinquen
un plácido Edén, mis cariños por ti son eternos
porque tú eres el alma del bien.

How to get to Naranjito from San Juan.

direccion naranjito

 

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