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| Great background for memorable photos |
They are the grand old dames of Isla, the painted
ladies of Centro, the one-level wooden houses that are scattered throughout
the downtown area of the island.
Built
back in the 1920s and 30s, they have survived hurricanes, infestations of
wood-eating tropical bugs, and progress.
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| La Tablitas Hemingway's different colours |
Tablitas or Hemingway's Bar is probably the
most photographed of all the buildings. Located on the corner of Matamoros and Guerrero Avenues, it was a favourite
local cantina with a noisy mix of people enjoying their afternoon
beverages. It is a prime location for
wedding photographers to capture a bit of local history and provide a colourful
background for a memorable wedding photo. Tablitas closed on Monday, February 29th, under the previous management. According to island scuttlebutt, the owner of
the building did not renew the operator’s lease and is planning to open a
cantina under his management. Hopefully, it will maintain its funky and fun character.
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| Tony Garcia's auntie owns this pretty building |
Another beautifully painted grand old dame is
on the corner of Matamoros and Juarez Avenues.
Built originally by Tony Garcia’s grandfather, Heriberto Delgado de
Tejada, father to Guadalupe Delgado Diaz, the house now belongs to his aunt Apolonia Delgado Diaz.
Painted a
cheerful combination of raspberry pink, sunflower yellow, and pale blue, it is an
eye-catching resident of the neighbourhood. Recently, the doors facing onto Matamoros Avenue were open, and it
appeared that a woman had set up a sewing business.
Quite close by is another of our favourite
painted ladies. Located on Juarez Avenue, it is divided by two fanciful paint jobs.
The southern half is bright yellow with blue, red, and white trim, while
the northern half is a tropical orange with white trim.
We don't know if this
is two homes or one home and one business.
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| Hard to see in the daytime with souvenirs piled everywhere |
Most of the other interesting houses are
located along the pedestrian-only street where the souvenir sellers are congregated.
Some contain shops, others are a false front with
the entrance located on the main road of Rueda Medina. In the daytime, these buildings are usually hidden under piles of merchandise, and it is difficult to really appreciate their character.
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| Silk-screen printing shop |
Facing the square near City Hall is a fairly
recent addition, La Casa Madera, which has replaced the silk-screen printing
shop.
They have done a beautiful job of restoring
the old building, and, judging by the photos on their Facebook page, it is a popular lunch stop for locals and tourists.
We have been told that the old wooden houses
are protected from demolition by city bylaws.
The one thing that they can’t be protected from is fire, either accidental or convenient fires.
Fingers-crossed,
the painted ladies will survive for many more years, adding a bit of fun and
character to the northern part of the island.
Hasta Luego
Lawrie, Lynda, Sparky, and Thomas the Cat
Or
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2 comments:
What a great topic! Only wish more oners of these precious old buildings would treat them with so much love and respect. Thank you for you blog, sure love it.
They are a fun bit of colour and history for the island. Hopefully more people will fill me in on the history behind some of the doors. Cheers Lynda
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