Calle 25 de Enero

As a result of the devastating fires that have regularly swept through the city, firefighters are a particularly revered group in Ponce. But it was the fire on 25 January 1899, known as El Polvorín, that is perhaps the most famous. It started in a military munition depot, located just three blocks from the now also historic Parque de Bombas firehouse, yet the firefighters were told not to fight the fire. Although they were initially in danger of being punished for insubordination, the people of Ponce considered them heroes and there was an enormous public outcry when they were jailed for disobedience. Eventually, the U.S. military government in Ponce rethought its decision, freed the men and the city honored them in a public celebration. the City put together a system whereby these firefighters and their families would be provided with free housing. The firefighters of the city had always been volunteers and the municipal government decided to recognize their courage and importance by selecting a firefighter each year to receive a new home. These houses were constructed by the government and the official name of the street where they were built was eventually changed to 25 de Enero Street, "the 25th of January Street", in honor of those firefighters who saved the city in 1899. The houses, which today number about 60, are easily spotted. They are painted in the distinctive red and black colors of Ponce. ==Today==

The houses, the street and its surrounding areas were restored in 1991 under mayor Rafael Cordero Santiago as part of the city's efforts to "rescue" its history. Starting in the early twentieth century, the site of the El Polvorin fire saw the construction of what became Ponce High School. The city also has a marble obelisk prominently displayed on its main square, Plaza Federico Degetau, to honor the memory of the heroes of "El Polvorin". The obelisk was erected by a city board consisting of Jaime L. Drew, Antonio Arias, and Antonio Mirabal. It was built in 1958, thus replacing the original obelisk built shortly after the 25 January 1899 fire which was destroyed by the 1918 San Fermín earthquake. Ponce firefighters have another memorial at Cementerio Civil de Ponce: the Monument to the El Polvorin Heroes, where the remains of the seven heroes are buried. Ponce firefighters since those first seven heroes have been eligible to be laid to rest at this tomb-monument, and many have been laid there. ==In popular culture==

A composition by Banda Municipal de Ponce director Rubén Colón Tarrats was made about this street. ==See also==