Naranjito, Puerto Rico

The Town of Colors

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 The law was repealed by the legislature in 1905, and Naranjito recovered its sovereignty with the same borders and wards.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:

Naranjito 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

Census 2000: Population by Wards – Naranjito	Habitants
Achiote	4,310
Anones	4,518
Cedro Abajo	4,278
Cedro Arriba	3,556
Guadiana	3,931
Lomas	4,126
Naranjito Town	1,150
Nuevo	3,840
Total	29,709

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

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:

It 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:

It 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.

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

Name	Level	Telephone	Address
BERNARDA ROBLES DE HEVIA	ELEMENTAL	(787) 869-1433	PO BOX 5822
DON MANOLO RIVERA	ELEMENTAL	(787) 869-6119	PO BOX 916
FELIPA SÁNCHEZ CRUZADO	ELEMENTAL	(787) 869-4117	PO BOX 3280
JOSÉ ARCHILLA CABRERA	ELEMENTAL	(787) 869-3230	PO BOX 926
LOMAS VALLES	ELEMENTAL	(787) 869-1213	PO BOX 850
NUEVA ESCUELA ELEMENTAL	ELEMENTAL	(787) 869-5005	PO BOX 790
ROSA LUZ ZAYAS	ELEMENTAL	(787) 869-3976	PO BOX 848
SILVESTRE MARTÍNEZ	ELEMENTAL	(787) 869-1266	HC 73 BOX 5548
COLEEN VÁZQUEZ URRUTIA	INTERMEDIO	(787) 869-1309	PO BOX 916
MERCEDES ROSADO	INTERMEDIO	(787) 869-3130	PO BOX 859
ADOLFO GARCÍA	SEGUNDA UNIDAD	(787) 869-4008	PO BOX 2765
FIDEL G. PADILLA	SEGUNDA UNIDAD	(787) 869-0655	PO BOX 916
PEDRO FERNÁNDEZ	SEGUNDA UNIDAD	(787) 869-4787	HC 71 BOX 3788
FRANCISCO MORALES	SUPERIOR	(787) 869-5277	PO BOX 25

Hymn:

Lirics by José Archilla Cabrera – Music by Paquito López Cruz