Gautier Benítez High School

Historic school in Caguas, Puerto Rico

United States historic place

Significant dates

Gautier Benitez High School
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Puerto Rico Historic Sites and Zones


18°13′47″N 66°2′12″W / 18.22972°N 66.03667°W / 18.22972; -66.03667
Area	1.3 acres (0.53 ha)
Built	1924
Architectural style	Classical Revival
NRHP reference No.	88000657^[1]
RNSZH No.	2000-(RCE)-21-JP-SH
Added to NRHP	June 15, 1988
Designated RNSZH	December 21, 2000

The Gautier Benitez High School, a school named after Puerto Rican poet José Gautier Benítez, was built in 1924 in Caguas, Puerto Rico and is listed on both the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and the Puerto Rico Register of Historic Sites and Zones.^[1]^[2]

It is a U-shaped, two-story concrete structure with Classical Revival elements including monumental portico with triangular pediment and use of columns.^[3]

It was deemed significant for NRHP registration because it was the first high school in its area, and for its architecture. Its neo-classical style reflects Americanization of public education since the 1898 transition of Puerto Rico. It was built in a program along with the Ponce High School in Ponce and the Central High School in San Juan, both also NRHP-listed.^[3]

Notable alumni

Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago, first Puerto Rican and first Caribbean-born layperson in history to be beatified.

References

^ ^a ^b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
^ GOBIERNO DE PUERTO RICO, JUNTA DE PLANIFICACIÓN DE PUERTO RICO (December 7, 2022). "REGISTRO DE PROPIEDADES DESIGNADAS POR LA JUNTA DE PLANIFICACIÓN DE PUERTO RICO" (PDF). jp.pr.gov.
^ ^a ^b Jose Rodriguez; Felix J. del Campo; Hector F. Santiago (November 20, 1987). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Gautier Benitez High School / La Gautier". National Park Service. Retrieved July 12, 2016. with three photos from 1987