Day 303: Agaña Historic District, Hagåtña, Guam
📌 APIA Every Day (303) - The Agaña Historic District, located in the capital city of Hagåtña, Guam, is a significant cultural and historical area that reflects the island’s diverse past. The district itself is composed of several historically significant structures, including Spanish-era buildings, remnants of pre-colonial CHamorro settlements, and American-era infrastructure. The 2-acre Historic District consists of the following five buildings: the Calvo-Torres, Rosario, Martinez-Notley, Lujan and Leon Guerrero houses. These five buildings are some of Guam’s oldest standing buildings and represent how the island has changed over time.
The history of the Agaña Historic District is deeply intertwined with Guam’s broader history, which spans thousands of years and includes Indigenous CHamorro society, Spanish and American colonialism, as well as Japanese occupation during World War II. Before European contact, the area that is now Hagåtña was a significant settlement for the CHamorro people, who established fishing and agricultural communities. In the 17th century, Spanish colonizers made Hagåtña the capital of the Marianas, introducing Christianity and European architectural influences. Following the Spanish-American War in 1898, Guam became a U.S. territory, and Hagåtña evolved under American administration. During World War II, the now-Historic District suffered extensive destruction due to Japanese occupation and subsequent U.S. military bombardment during the island’s liberation in 1944. The post-war reconstruction reshaped Hagåtña, but remnants of its colonial past remain as a testament to its historical significance.
In 1985, the Agaña Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. Restoration projects focus on revitalizing Spanish-era structures, maintaining Indigenous CHamorro architectural elements, and promoting overall public awareness of the area’s historical significance in the context of Guam’s history. Community engagement programs, heritage tours, and educational initiatives further contribute to preservation efforts by fostering appreciation and understanding for the district’s legacies.
Written by Billy Zeng
LEARN MORE:
NPS: Agaña Historic District National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
Historic Guam: Historic Sites of Guam National Park Service Brochure
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