A BRIEF HISTORY OF CULEBRA
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On the early nautical charts, Culebra was named Isla Pasaje.

Culebra's first governor was appointed in 1875. He was a black Englishman by the name of Stevens. He was given this authorization by the Vieques government. He was given the responsibility of guarding the coast fishing industry from foreigners. In 1875 he was brutally assassinated.

The colonization of Culebra was started October 27, 1880, commanded by Don Cayetano Escudero. The first settlement was called San Ildefonso in honor of Bishop San Ildefonso de la Culebra. It was located in the area occupied now by the Department of Natural Resources, and Fish and Wildlife.

Don Cayetano Escudero was the first Special Delegate of Culebra appointed by Vieques Governmental order on August 2, 1881.

In 1891, San Ildefonso de La Culebra was described as a few houses made of straw. There was a church, government house. There was also a water tank from which the people got their water.

In 1894, a written report was made indicating the growth and progress made by the colonists of Culebra. There were now 519 residents living in five communities. The communities were named San Ildefonso, Flamenco, San Isidero, Playa Sardinas I and II, and Frayle.

The public works constructed in San Ildefonso up until the year 1894 were the following:
    (A)    Delegation House
    (B)    Church
        Constructed by residents, using materials donated by towns from Puerto Rico and the States.
    (C)    Public Water Tank
        Constructed by colonists and paid for by the government of Puerto Rico
    (D)    Cemetery
    (E)    Public Order House
        Constructed in wood and Zinc by Funds from Puerto Rico
    (F)    Dock -- Constructed over the rocks

There were 84 individually constructed houses on the island. Twenty four were located in the town of San Ildefonso and the rest were spread around the island in the other communities.

During this period of time, agriculture was the major source of income. The following items were exported, typical wood, turtle oil, turtle shells, salted fish, tobacco, cattle, pigs, goats, country cheese, sweet potatoes, plantains, pumpkins, beans, yams, garlic, corn, tomatoes, oranges, coconut, cotton, melons, mangrove bark, charcoal, and turkey.

The major import was, construction materials, seeds and fertilizers.

The Spanish Crown determined that the land of Culebra was public property except for the areas reserved for use of the central government. When the Hispanoamerican war was resolved in 1898 and peace was made between Spain and the United States the land was turned over to the United States government with the promise that property titles given by the Spanish government would be honored. Titled land would not be confiscated by the Military Government established in Puerto Rico. These agreements were reached in the Paris treaty and by general order number 1 of the United States of Puerto Rico's Military Government.

In 1901 the US Military arrived in Culebra to establish an area for the military to use as a firing range and to hold marine exercises. At that time they took over the town of San Ildefonso and re-established the persons living in San Ildefonso to other areas of the island. This was in violation of the Paris agreements.

The majority of persons settled in the Playa Sardinas I and II area. Don Pedro Marques renamed this area Dewey after the famous Admiral Dewey, a naval war hero in the Philippine Islands. In 1902 Admiral Dewey commanded the first troops in the Caribbean.

The governing body of Puerto Rico assigned delegates for Culebra from 1880 through 1929. In 1930 these appointees were given the title of Mayor. These appointments were for a period of two years.

The delegates as well as the Mayors also had other official functions such as, Post Office Administrator, Customs, Internal Revenue, Justice of the Peace, School Director and other functions as the administration seemed necessary.

In 1960 it became law to elect the Mayor and Municipal Legislature of Culebra. These positions were for a four year term of office. The Municipal Legislature consists of five members, four from the majority party, and one from the minority party.