Rafael Rivera Esbrí

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Rivera and the second or maternal family name is Esbrí.
Rafael Rivera Esbrí
Mayor Rafael Rivera Esbrí
Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico
In office
1915–1917
Preceded by Simón Moret Gallart
Succeeded by Luis Yordán Dávila
Personal details
Nationality Puerto Rican
Profession politician

Rafael Rivera Esbrí was Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico from 1915 to 1917.

Contents

El Polvorin

Rivera Esbri is most remembered for an incident that has little to do with his work as mayor. He is remembered as the only brave civilian who in the company of seven of Ponce's firefighters confronted and brought under control the fire of 25 January 1899, at the American munitions depot. Rivera Esbri and the others did in defiance of an order from the American invaders not to attempt to fight the fire.[1] Their bravery is said to have saved the city from total destruction.[2]

Obelisk

In 1906,[3] the Legislature of Puerto Rico issued a proclamation to officially declare Rafael Rivera Esbri and the seven firefighters heroes.[4] In time, the city of Ponce also built an obelisk to their memory which is located at Plaza Las Delicias, and is dedicated to Rivera Esbri and the seven firefighters who risked their lives in the January 25, 1899, fire. Rivera Esbri's name, along with those of the firefighters are engraved on the obelisk.[5]

Mayoral work

As mayor, Rivera Esbri founded, in 1916, the cemetery at Barrio Coto Laurel in Ponce.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ COMENTARIO DEL LIBRO "EL ROSTRO OCULTO DE LA DESOBEDIENCIA CIVIL", by José Enrique Ayoroa Santaliz
  2. ^ "Album Histórico de Ponce", by Ruth Fortuño Sellés
  3. ^ Pergamino Continua Desaparecido
  4. ^ Univison
  5. ^ Obelisk to the Heroes
  6. ^ Coto Laurel Cemetery

See also

Political offices
Preceded by
Simón Moret Gallart		 Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico
1915–1917		 Succeeded by
Luis Yordán Dávila