Cultural Landscape Report for The San Cristóbal Outworks, San Juan National Historic Site

Foulds, H Eliot; von Bieberstein, Alexandra

The subject of this report is an approximately seven-acre parcel of urban real estate, immediately east of Castillo San Cristóbal's mortared stone fortifications, which prior to 2015, has been closed to the public for decades. Being roughly analogous to Castillo El Morro's larger and more well-known Esplanade to the west, the San Cristóbal Outworks is precious open space in a densely populated city. The Cultural Landscape Report for San Cristóbal Outworks (PMIS 40311) has been completed to fulfill elements of the San Juan NHS General Management Plan (1984). The park's many planning goals include the development of cultural resource information baseline data to benefit management, preservation, and interpretation. Many informative histories successfully document the design and construction of the fortifications during San Cristóbal's early period up until acquisition by the United States in 1898. However, more recent history is less well understood. Information gaps include knowledge of the modifications made to San Cristóbal during the early 20th century by the U.S. Army, and changes initiated by the National Park Service after 1966. The 1984 GMP for San Juan National Historic Site identifies actions necessary prior to opening the extensive "Outworks" area to the public. These include the rehabilitation of the El Abanico guardhouse for use as a visitor contact station and restroom, the design and installation of interpretive wayside exhibits, the redesign of roads and parking at the El Abanico gate, relocation of security fencing, and the removal of select paved surfaces. While some of these actions have been accomplished, access to the San Cristóbal Outworks remains limited. More than thirty years have passed since the completion of the 1984 GMP, yet the completion of the Cultural Landscape Report for the San Cristóbal Outworks is well timed to inform new planning efforts, and to identify landscape preservation issues remaining at San Cristóbal and to suggest appropriate treatments guiding future use, and inform expanded interpretation. The Cultural Landscape Report project will guide preservation decision-making and facilitate cultural resource compliance for programmed repair and rehabilitation projects. These projects appear in the NPS Project Management Information System (PMIS) and include: Replace Electrical Gates Parkwide (PMIS 205825/ 20K), Replace Park Wayside Exhibit Panels (PMIS 188998/ 26K), Assess Potential Impacts of Green Iguana On Park Cultural Resources (PMIS 216950/ 28K), Perform an Archeological Assessment at San Juan NHS (PMIS 216953/30K), Conduct Cultural Landscape Inventory for the San Cristóbal Outworks (PMIS 215419/ 45K), Fabricate and Install Parkwide Wayside Exhibits (PMIS 207120/ 256K), Replace Perimeter Fence at the Outer Defenses of Castillo San Cristóbal (PMIS 173548/ 305K), Implement Recommendations of CLR for Castillo San Cristóbal Outworks (PMIS 208485/ 541K), Repair San Cristóbal Outworks Retaining Wall (PMIS 217955/ 614K), Construct New Access and Visitor Service Structures at the Outer Defense Area (PMIS 177032/ 1.15M).

Cultural Landscape Report for The San Cristóbal Outworks, San Juan National Historic Site

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