The lighthouse was built by the Spanish government in 1889 to facilitate navigation from Europe to Panama. The original lighthouse was damaged by an earthquake in 1918 and never repaired. A new lighthouse was built on higher ground at that time and is still in use today.
Officially known as the Borinquen Point Lighthouse, this structure was built in 1889 by the Spanish. Made of brick, it had a tower with the light and a living area for the light-keeper. Like many of the lighthouses of its time, it was pretty elaborate in architectural details. However, in 1918, there was a major earthquake in the north-west that severely damaged the lighthouse beyond repair. It was abandoned, and a new concrete lighthouse was built in 1922 by the US Coast Guard in a different location — a little more to the north-east in Aguadilla.
What remains of the ruins are left to be further destroyed by time and vandals. But still you can see the beauty that was once a mighty lighthouse. And the views through the hollow windows to the west, overlooking the ocean are breathtaking.
GPS COORDINATES: 18.488601, -67.161627