Then & Now – Colmado Los Muchachos

A Colmado is a local convenience type store that sells just about everything one might need in small or large portions and is also a place for people to hang out, share the news and even have a drink or snack.

Colmado Piloña in years gone by and Colmado Los Muchachos now. The Colmado is located on the corner of Arzobispo Nouel and Calle Sanchez, Ciudad Trujillo, República Dominicana.

Top – Colmado Piloña in 1941

Bottom – Colmado Los Muchachos, Ciudad Colonial, Santo Domingo September 9, 2014

Then & Now – Ornamental Fountain Monument / Monumento De Fuente Ornamental

The Ornamental Fountain was gifted to the Dominican Republic by the United States in on February 27, 1944. This fountain was given to mark the 100 year centennial anniversary of the country’s independence and the expulsion of the Haitian government from the country.

The Fountain reads –

“1844 – 1944

Los Ciudadnos Americanos en la Republica Dominicana al pueblo Dominicano en prueba de amistad y admiracion su primer centenario.”

Translated to English – The American Citizens in the Dominican Republic to the Dominican people in proof of friendship and admiration its first centenary.

The after picture is from a news article which reads –

“Bella fuente ornamental construida por la Colonia Norteamericana radicada en la República y obsequiada al pueblo y Gobierno dominicanos como demostración de simpatías en la fecha conmemorativa del Primer Centenario de la Independencia Nacional. Este significativo monumento se encuentra situado junto a la Avenida U.S. Marine Corps, en un parquecito triangular que hace fuente con el Club de la Juventud de Ciudad Trujillo.”

Translated to English – “Beautiful ornamental fountain built by the Colony North American based in the Republic and given to the Dominican people and Government as a demonstration of sympathy on the commemorative date of the First Centennial of National Independence. This significant monument is located next to Avenida U.S. Marine Corps, in a triangular little park that makes a fountain with the Club de la Juventud of Ciudad Trujillo.”

Location

The fountain is located in Parque San Jose between Calles Jose Gabriel Garcia, El Malecon and 19 de Marzo. It is not a fountain any longer. It looks like a big loving cup. It holds the neighborhood Christmas tree and from time to time a plant tries to grow inside.

Then & Now – Alcazar de Colón

The Alcazar de Colón, the Puerta de San Diego and Plaza España are all part of the historical colonial city. The Columbus Palace was in ruins until it was painstakingly renovated and opened to the public in 1957.

Then (above) – The Alcazar de Colón, Puerta de San Diego and Plaza España in 1944 before the Alcazar was renovated. Plaza España had more green areas at this time. The city at this time in the past was called Ciudad Trujillo. – National Geographic Magazine March 1944.

Now (below) – A Panoramic view of the Alcazar de Colon, Puerta de San Diego and Plaza España in the present time – August 2014.