Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza

|left The plantation depended on mechanized technology along with slaves which numbered 175 in 1873. The first mill on the plantation produced 100-150 tons of raw sugar every harvest. A second mill is estimated to have generated 200 tons while a third mill produced between 500-600 tons. The Hacienda La Esperanza steam engine has been designated a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. Today the entire property is owned by the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust (FCPR, for the initials in Spanish) which preserves and protects it, the property includes some of the only coastal forest left in the region. The organization Para La Naturaleza manages visitation to the historic site in addition to educational and cultural activities and tours into the surrounding nature reserve. Owner José Ramon Fernández (1808–1883), an influential, conservative politician and businessman, owned Hacienda Azucarera la Esperanza. Ramon was named by Spain during a tumultuous time in Puerto Rico. The crisis allowed Ramon to purchase more land and expand the Hacienda. Ramon, the 1st Marquis of La Esperanza was the wealthiest sugar baron in Puerto Rico in the 19th century. He was also one of the most powerful men of the entire Spanish Caribbean. == Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve ==

Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve (Spanish: Reserva Natural Hacienda La Esperanza) is a nature reserve that preserves the grasslands and wetlands of the Manatí river delta in addition to coastal karst hills and cliffs, and numerous scenic beaches such as La Esperanza, Las Marias and Tombolo Beaches. The protected area surrounds the historic sugarcane plantation, while the historic manor house of Hacienda La Esperanza serves as the visitor center for the nature reserve. The organization Para La Naturaleza, a nonprofit unit off the FCPR, manages and provides visitor services, volunteer activities and educational events in the nature reserve. Ecology The nature reserve protects important ecosystems and several endangered and endemic species such as the Puerto Rican boa which can be found in the nearby mogotes. Para La Naturaleza also promotes citizen science and organizes related activities such as bird counting. == Gallery ==

View of sugar mill ruins looking N showing chimney at left and masonry base of steam engine and cane mill at right. - Hacienda Azucarera La Esperanza, Mill (Ruins), 2.65 miles HAER PR,55-MANA,1B-2 (in color).jpg|View of sugar mill ruins showing chimney and masonry base of steam engine and cane mill at right, ca. 1968 Hacienda La Esperanza Engine.jpg|One of the two steam engines at the View of open end of purging house looking N. - Hacienda Azucarera La Esperanza, Mill (Ruins), 2.65 miles North of PR Route 2 Bridge Over Manati River, Manati, Manati Municipio, HAER PR,55-MANA,1B-20.tif|View of open end of purging house in 1977 Interior view looking E at coach and wagon storage area under house. - Hacienda Azucarera La Esperanza, House, 2.65 Mi. N of PR Rt. 2 Bridge Over Manati River, Manati, Manati HAER PR,55-MANA,1C-9.tif|Interior view of coach and wagon storage area under house in 1977 View of dining room looking S showing corner cabinet. - Hacienda Azucarera La Esperanza, House, 2.65 Mi. N of PR Rt. 2 Bridge Over Manati River, Manati, Manati Municipio, PR HAER PR,55-MANA,1C-7.tif|View of dining room in 1977 == See also ==