Front Cover of Souvenir Book

"Island of Enchanted Hours"

" ¶ Puerto Rico was first discovered by Columbus on his second trip to America in 1493. He remained here only two days and the island stayed unexplored and uninhabited by white man until 1508, when Ponce de Leon landed, having been sent to investigate stories of boundless gold to be found in the stream and mountains. He established his colony near the shore of San Juan Bay and became the first Governor.

" ¶ San Jaun, the capital, is the chief port of entry to this American Island. Historically, it is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the Ameri8can Possessions, for it was  colonized almost half a century before S. Augustine, Florida; the Governor's Palace, "La Fortaleza", first built as a fortress, was constructed 250 years before the White House in Washington. "El Morro", another historic landmark, is a huge fortification on the outermost point of land at the entrance to the city and was also built shortly after the founding of the city.

" ¶ San Juan today is an exquisite city of some 150,000 population. Its streets are full of color and animation, offering an intriguing blend of forgotten days with modern ways. The ruins of the ancient city walls encompass skyscrapers, air-conditions theatres and department stores and a busy thriving seaport.."

This is the Front Cover of the souvenir book, that measures 8 X 5.5 inches (20.2 X 13.9 cm).

Photo from a Souvenir book of Puerto Rico, published in the  1940's by Matias Photo Shop, San Juan, P.R.