Trujillo Alto Municipio Autónomo de Trujillo Alto | |
|---|---|
Town andMunicipality | |
| Santa Cruz de Trujillo | |
 Trujillo Alto town sign onTrujillo Alto Expressway  Trujillo Alto City Hall  Lourdes Grotto | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Nicknames: Ciudad de los Manantiales, El Pueblo de las Ocho Calles, La Ciudad En El Campo, Los Arrecostaos | |
| Anthem:"Duerme Mi Lindo Trujillo" | |
 Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Trujillo Alto Municipality | |
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| Coordinates:18°21′46″N66°1′3″W / 18.36278°N 66.01750°W /18.36278; -66.01750 | |
| Sovereign state |  United States |
| Commonwealth |  Puerto Rico |
| Founded | January 8, 1801 |
| Barrios | |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Pedro Rodríguez Gonzalez (PPD) |
| • Senatorial dist. | 8 – Carolina |
| • Representative dist. | 40 |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.47 sq mi (55.61 km2) |
| • Land | 21 sq mi (55 km2) |
| • Water | 0.24 sq mi (.61 km2) |
| Elevation | 69 ft (21 m) |
| Population (2020)[2] | |
• Total | 75,243 |
| • Rank | 10th in Puerto Rico |
| • Density | 3,500/sq mi (1,400/km2) |
| Demonym | Trujillanos |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (AST) |
| ZIP Codes | 00976, 00977, 00978 |
| Area code | 787/939 |
| Major routes |        |
| Website | www |
Trujillo Alto (Spanish pronunciation:[tɾuˈxiʝoˈalto]) is atown andmunicipality ofPuerto Rico. Located on the northeasterncoastal plain on the boundary between theNorthern Karst Belt andSierra de Luquillo, it is north ofCaguas andGurabo, southeast ofSan Juan, and west ofCarolina. Part of theSan Juan metropolitan area, Trujillo Alto is spread over 6 barrios and the downtown area and administrative center ofTrujillo Alto Pueblo.
Trujillo Alto was officially founded in 1801, but gained more importance during the 20th century. Due to its proximity to the capital,San Juan, the city has become a suburb of the metropolitan area, which has sparked its growth during recent years. The population of Trujillo Alto has increased through the last century from 9,576 (1930) to 74,482 (2010). According to the 2010 Census, it is Puerto Rico's tenth-most populated municipality.[3]
In 1953–54, theCarraízohydroelectric dam was constructed in Trujillo Alto by the Sumner Sollitt Construction Company of Chicago, under contract by thePuerto Rico Water Resources Authority. The dam forms theLoíza Lake, a reservoir which serves as the main source of the water supply forSan Juan, Puerto Rico.[4]
The region of what is now Trujillo Alto belonged to theTaíno region of Cayniabón, which stretched from the northeast coast of Puerto Rico into the central region of the island.[5] The region was led bycacique Canobaná. Archeological findings have identified two sites within the municipality of Trujillo Alto with archeological significance: Las Cuevas, which was studied by Irving Rouse, and Quebrada Grande.[6]
After theSpanish colonization, families started settling at both sides of theRío Grande de Loíza. During the 17th century, the Spanish crown granted Alonso Pizarro Hermona, fromTrujillo in Spain, a vast ranch that covered the region. Residents began using his family name to refer to the location. Eventually, the inhabitants went to theGovernor and asked for a permit to build a chapel, which was a requisite to officially found a town. Despite some opposition, Trujillo Alto was founded on January 8, 1801, under the name ofMunicipio La Santa Cruz de Trujillo.[7] The town was settled on a meander of theRío Grande de Loíza. Around 1820, the nameTrujillo Alto was used to differentiate the town from that ofTrujillo Bajo (which later became known asCarolina).[8]
In 1826, communication to and from the town improved with the construction of two bridges: one intoRío Piedras, and the other intoRío Grande. In 1844, Trujillo Alto was composed of only five barrios. A few years later, the first school was built. During that time, its population decreased notably due to an epidemic ofcholera.
In 1898, when Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain, it became a territory of the United States. In 1899, theUS Department of War conducted its first census of Puerto Rico and found that the population of Trujillo Alto was 5,683.[9]
In 1902, theLegislative Assembly of Puerto Rico approved a law for the consolidation of certain municipalities. As a result, Trujillo Alto was incorporated into the town and municipality of borderingCarolina. In 1905 the law was revoked returning Trujillo Alto to its status of municipality again.[10]
In 1952, along with theCarraízo Dam constructed in barrioCarraízo, a filtration plant was constructed in barrio Cuevas in Trujillo Alto.[11]
The proximity of the city to the capital,San Juan, sparked significant growth and development in the region and during the 20th century, the population of Trujillo Alto increased dramatically.[12] As of 2010, the city is the tenth-most populous city ofPuerto Rico. MayorJosé Luis Cruz Cruz, who has been serving since 2009, has labeled the city as "The New Metropolis".[13]
Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017, triggered numerous landslides in Trujillo Alto, with its rain and winds.[14][15] The hurricane winds and rain damaged infrastructure and caused almost the entire electrical system of Trujillo Alto to collapse, leaving its nearly 75,000 residents with no electrical power. Also, 90% of the residents lost access to clean,drinking water.[16]
Trujillo Alto sits on the Northern Coastal Plain region of Puerto Rico. It is bordered by the municipalities ofSan Juan,Carolina,Gurabo, andCaguas.[10] Trujillo Alto is a small municipality, covering only 21.47 square miles (55.6 km2).[17]
Trujillo Alto's terrain is mostly plain in the north, while the south features small hills. Heights can range from 660 to 1,600 feet (200–500 meters) above sea level.
Trujillo Alto's hydrographic system consists mainly of theRío Grande de Loíza, which crosses the municipality.[18] There are also several creeks in the city: Colorada, Infierno, Limones, Naranjo, Grande, Pastrana, Haya Fría, and Maracuto.[8]
Also, Trujillo Alto is the site ofPuerto Rico's mainwater reservoir: TheCarraízo Dam, at theLoíza Lake. Both were built in 1953 by thePuerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewers Authority (PRASA). Although it was originally built to generate hydroelectricity, it is now used solely as a public water-supply source.[19] The Loíza Lake is also used for water sports and recreational fishing.
Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Trujillo Alto is subdivided intobarrios. The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a barrio referred to as"el pueblo".[20][21][22]
Trujillo Alto's townscape is fairly simple. Most of the barrios are spread through the rural section of the city, while the downtown area (Trujillo Alto Pueblo) is small, consisting only of eight primary streets. This gave the city the nickname of the "City of the Eight Streets".[23] Also, there are no high-rise buildings and structures.
Barrios (which are, in contemporary times, roughly comparable tominor civil divisions)[24] and subbarrios,[25] are further subdivided into smaller areas calledsectores (sectors in English). The types ofsectores may vary, from normallysector tourbanización toreparto tobarriada toresidencial, among others.[26][27][28]
Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico (Special Communities of Puerto Rico) are marginalized communities whose citizens are experiencing a certain amount ofsocial exclusion. A map shows these communities occur in nearly every municipality of the commonwealth. Of the 742 places that were on the list in 2014, the following barrios, communities, sectors, or neighborhoods were in Trujillo Alto: San Nicolás neighborhood, Bethania, Comunidad Talanco, El Hoyo II, El Resbalón, Parcelas Carraízo, Parcelas Ramón T. Colón, Sector Arayanes, Sector La Prá, Sector Las Cruces, Sector Los Nuñez, Villa Escondida, Villa Margarita and Villa Platanal.[29][30]
| Climate data for Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1957–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 96 (36) | 95 (35) | 95 (35) | 98 (37) | 99 (37) | 103 (39) | 97 (36) | 95 (35) | 102 (39) | 97 (36) | 101 (38) | 97 (36) | 103 (39) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 83.4 (28.6) | 84.2 (29.0) | 85.0 (29.4) | 86.4 (30.2) | 87.5 (30.8) | 89.1 (31.7) | 89.2 (31.8) | 89.4 (31.9) | 89.8 (32.1) | 88.8 (31.6) | 86.6 (30.3) | 84.1 (28.9) | 87.0 (30.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 75.2 (24.0) | 75.4 (24.1) | 76.0 (24.4) | 77.5 (25.3) | 79.2 (26.2) | 80.8 (27.1) | 81.0 (27.2) | 81.2 (27.3) | 81.3 (27.4) | 80.6 (27.0) | 78.6 (25.9) | 76.2 (24.6) | 78.6 (25.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 67.0 (19.4) | 66.5 (19.2) | 66.9 (19.4) | 68.6 (20.3) | 71.0 (21.7) | 72.4 (22.4) | 72.8 (22.7) | 73.0 (22.8) | 72.9 (22.7) | 72.4 (22.4) | 70.7 (21.5) | 68.2 (20.1) | 70.2 (21.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 55 (13) | 55 (13) | 52 (11) | 52 (11) | 54 (12) | 62 (17) | 61 (16) | 61 (16) | 60 (16) | 56 (13) | 57 (14) | 53 (12) | 52 (11) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 5.02 (128) | 3.28 (83) | 3.67 (93) | 5.92 (150) | 6.88 (175) | 4.53 (115) | 7.11 (181) | 7.53 (191) | 8.50 (216) | 7.60 (193) | 7.92 (201) | 5.04 (128) | 73.00 (1,854) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 16.4 | 11.3 | 10.9 | 11.8 | 13.7 | 10.3 | 15.1 | 14.9 | 14.2 | 15.5 | 17.6 | 17.2 | 168.9 |
| Source:NOAA[31][32] | |||||||||||||
There are several places of interest for tourists to visit in Trujillo Alto. TheBicentenary Walkway, located in the entrance to the city at thePR-181, features the remodeled historic steel bridge (one of the first permanent crossings of theGrande de Loiza River) as well as agazebo. It was built in 2001 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Trujillo Alto.
Also on thePR-181, is theLuis Muñoz Marín Foundation which was established in 1980. It includes a museum, a historic archive, and a park.[33]
TheCarraízo Dam and theLoíza Lake reservoir are also frequently visited. Other places of interest are theCarmelitas de San José Convent, theLourdes Grotto, and theTrujillo Alto Mountain Spring.
The economy of Trujillo Alto has relied mostly on agriculture, particularlysugarcane, coffee, tobacco, and minor fruits.Cattle ranching is also a source of economy in Trujillo Alto. In recent years, commerce and industry have become integral parts of the economy of the city. Trujillo Alto is the site of several factories of nutritional products, wood, metal, electrical machinery, and others. There are alsostone quarries in town for the production of building materials.
As of 2013, Trujillo Alto's unemployment was 10.2%, making it the second municipality with the lowest rate afterGuaynabo.[34]
Trujillo Alto celebrates itspatron saint festival in September. TheFiestas Patronales de Santa Cruz is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.[35]
TheFestival Trujillano de Orquídeas (Orchid Festival) has been held in July since 2011. It is an horticultural competition and festival where orchids are ranked, exhibited and sold.[36]
TheFestival del Macabeo (Macabeo Festival), a festival celebrating a food specific to Trujillo Alto, is celebrated each year around the second week of December.[37]
Other festivals and fairs celebrated in Trujillo Alto include an agricultural fair held in January and aPaso Fino Festival held in November.
In 2001, Trujillo Alto commemorated its bicentenary with the opening of a new park in thePR-181, which included a remodeling of the historical steel bridge.
There are a number of churches and chapels from several denominations in Trujillo Alto. The main parish, Santa Cruz Church, was built in 1817. Part of a related structure was damaged byHurricane San Felipe in 1928.[8][38] The current structure was designed by Luis Perocier and built in 1933.[23]
Trujillo Alto has also been a place of pilgrimage forCatholics after a shrine toOur Lady of Lourdes was blessed in 1925. The site also features agrotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. TheGruta de Lourdes (Lourdes Grotto) is visited frequently by religious people and tourists.[39] There's also aconvent in Trujillo Alto called theConvento Carmelitas de San José.
Trujillo Alto doesn't have a professional sports team. However, there are several sports facilities in the city for amateur and novice leagues. In 2011, the Rubén Sánchez Montañez Court in Trujillo Alto, hosted theCangrejeros de Santurce team of theBaloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), which is the professional basketball league. The facility has a capacity for 2,250 people.[40]
In September, Trujillo Alto celebrates theArrecosta'o Marathon, which is one of the most important events in the city. The race has been celebrated yearly since 1985. It originally covered a 6.2-mile (10-kilometer) trajectory around town, but in 2007, it was shortened to 3.1 miles (5 kilometers).[41] In 2010, the marathon was recognized as one of the best organized events of the year.[42]
TheLoíza Lake is also a frequent spot forsports andrecreational fishing.[43] The lake features a wide variety of fishes like:largemouth bass,peacock bass,sea chubs,tilapia, andbeardfish.[44][45][46]
Themacabeo is the most known typical food of Trujillo Alto. It is afried dish made withplantains and meat.[47] The popularity of the dish is such that a festival is celebrated annually on its honor. TheMacabeo Festival began in the early 1980s and is held annually in December.[48]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 5,683 | — | |
| 1910 | 6,345 | 11.6% | |
| 1920 | 7,470 | 17.7% | |
| 1930 | 9,576 | 28.2% | |
| 1940 | 11,726 | 22.5% | |
| 1950 | 13,605 | 16.0% | |
| 1960 | 18,251 | 34.1% | |
| 1970 | 30,669 | 68.0% | |
| 1980 | 51,389 | 67.6% | |
| 1990 | 61,120 | 18.9% | |
| 2000 | 75,728 | 23.9% | |
| 2010 | 74,842 | −1.2% | |
| 2020 | 67,740 | −9.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[49] 1899 (shown as 1900)[50] 1910–1930[51] 1930–1950[52] 1960–2000[53] 2010[21]2020[54] | |||
The population of Trujillo Alto increased steadily during the 20th century and until the year 2000. There was a 1.2% decrease from 2000 to 2010 and a 9.5% decrease from 2010 to 2020. According to the 2020 census, the municipality had 67,740 inhabitants. Despite the decline, in 2020 Trujillo Alto was the tenth largest municipality in Puerto Rico, in terms of population.
According to the 2010 Census, 72% of the population identifies themselves asWhite, and 14.6% asAfrican-American. Also, 47.5% of the population identified themselves as males, and 52.5% as females. Finally, 25% of the population is under 18 years old. The next biggest percentage of population (20.7%) is between 35 and 49 years old.[56]
Like all municipalities in Puerto Rico, Trujillo Alto is administered by a mayor. The first official mayor of Trujillo Alto was Juan Francisco Carazo, who was one of the residents that vouched for the founding of the town in 1801. The mayor as of July 16, 2022 is Pedro Rodríguez González.[57] Before him wasJosé Luis Cruz Cruz (from thePopular Democratic Party), who was elected in the2004 general election.
The city belongs to thePuerto Rico Senatorial district VIII, which is represented by two Senators. In 2024,Marissa Jiménez andHéctor Joaquín Sánchez Álvarez were elected as District Senators.[58] RepresentativesWanda Del Valle Correa (District 38) andRoberto Rivera Ruiz (District 39), both from the PPD, represent different regions of Trujillo Alto in theHouse of Representatives.
Themunicipio has an official flag and coat of arms.[59]
The flag of Trujillo Alto features a white background with the town'scoat of arms in the center.[60]
The coat of arms features a shield with a blue border, with eight spurts of water representing the manysprings,creeks, andrivers that flow in town. Inside the shield, there's a silver field with three green mountains and a blue Latin cross above them. The flag features a white banner below the shield with the name of the city, and acoronet in the form of a five-tower mural crown alluding to theSpanish crown. The banner and the coronet aren't featured in the flag.[60]
Trujillo Alto is known by various names. It is known as the "City of Springs" for its many rivers and creeks. It is also known as the "Town of the Eight Streets" because the downtown area consists of eight streets. Trujillo Alto is also known as the "City in the Country", for its proximity to theSan Juan Metropolitan Area despite being mostly a mountain town.[23] Finally, it is also called the "Laid-back Town".
The main road to Trujillo Alto is thePR-181 that crosses the municipality from north to south. Distance from thecapital is 11 miles (18 km), with a travel time of roughly 15 minutes by car.[10] Other highways that lead to Trujillo Alto are PR-852 of theQuebrada Grande neighborhood andDos Bocas,PR-175 of the neighborhoodCarraízo, the Las Cumbres Avenue and PR-851 fromLa Gloria neighborhood.
In the past, communication with the town was limited because of its location on the other side of theRío Grande de Loíza. The construction of two bridges in 1826 helped facilitate access to the town. In 1939, theUnited States Army built a steel bridge in the entrance to the town on the PR-181, to replace one of the older ones. Although the bridge is no longer used for vehicles, it has become a symbol of the city and still stands today.[6]
The northern part of Trujillo Alto is serviced by thePuerto Rico Metropolitan Bus Authority, with various stops along the PR-181 and nearby neighborhoods.[61] Other public transportation in the city is provided by taxis and independent public cars.
There are 11 bridges in Trujillo Alto.[62]
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