XX Century - Republican Era
(1901-1958)

When the spanish control of Cuba ended and the Republic started, Güines continued its life as a cultured and progressive Villa, beginning a period of ups and downs, all conducive to its development and progress. Keep in mind, when trying to narrate the more important aspects in the life of Güines during this period, the influence of the National Government of Cuba in the life of towns, starting with the American Intervention Government, which lasted from 1899 until May 1902.

1901

In 1901, Güines Lyceum (Artistic and Literary Lyceum of Güines) was inaugurated.
In 1901, Leandro Rodríguez colina, who had tirelessly fought the spanish Government during the struggles for independence was elected Mayor. Later, the Republic‘s first President, Don Tomás Estrada Palma and his so–called Combat Cabinet dismissed Rodríguez colina, as Mayor of Güines, appointing Ignacio Ayala in his place.
On July 1, 1901 Father Don José Curbelo Púa took possession of the parish church of San Julián de los Güines as its proprietary Parish Priest, remaining as such until December 30, 1904.

1902

The Republic of Cuba was inaugurated on May 20, 1902. Its first President was Tomás Estrada Palma.

On Sunday, January 5, 1902, the evangelical presbyterian work in Güines officially started at #60 Havana Street, being its first Pastor the Reverend Waldo A. Stevenson. He remained in that position until 1911.

When the Republic was officially inaugurated on May 20, 1902, the Municipality, Judicial Jurisdiction and Fiscal District of Güines, located southeast of Havana Province, Cuba, 46 kilometers distant from the Cuban capital, had an area of 252 square kilometers. Geographically, the Villa of Güines is located at 22 degrees, 50 minutes 32.95 seconds,North latitude and -82 degrees, 1 minute and 31.21 seconds, West longitude.

Map of Havana‘s province, showing Güines‘ boundaries according to the Cuban Constitution of 1940

Its boundaries were, to the north with the Municipalities of San José de las Lajas, Jaruco and Aguacate; to the east, with those of Madruga and San Nicolás; to the west with Melena del Sur and to the south with San Nicolás. Formerly, it had the category of being a Jurisdiction.
Its territory in general is flat, excepting the north, where Candela Hill raises, notable for its caves, Catalina in the neighborhood of the same name and some other elevations. From the viewpoint of its regional topography, one part belongs to the Havana–Matanzas Elevations sub–region and the other to the so–called Havana–Matanzas Red Plain. Its rivers are: Mayabeque, Mampostón, Culebra and Catalina and some others with minor flows.

Before Communism, the Municipality had the following boroughs: North and South (Güines being its seat), Catalina, First Rural, Second Rural, Third Rural and Fourth Rural.

1903

On May 5, 1903, Kate Plumer Bryan Memorial School, better known as the American School opened its doors in Güines. The Presbyterian Church and its Board of Missions sponsored it.
On September 8, 1903, the religious order of the Daughters of Charity arrived in Güines founding Our Lady of Charity School.

1904

On December 30, 1904, Father Alfonso Blázquez Ballester held the Güines parish church as proprietary Parish Priest, remaining as such for 3 years until September 20, 1907.

1905

In 1905 the government of Tomás Estrada Palma, and his so–called War–Time Cabinet, removed Rodríguez colina from the office of Mayor of Güines and installed in its place Ignacio de Ayala. The latter stayed in office until 1908.

1906

Arango y Parreño park on the evening when public lighting was introduced in Güines, in 1906

In 1906 the electrical street lighting system was installed in Güines.

1907

Father Don José Viera Martínez was appointed as Güines proprietary Parish Priest on September 20, 1907 remaining as such for 9 years until August 2, 1916.
On October 8, 1907 the Christian Schools Brothers (St. John Baptist of La Salle Brothers) arrived in Güines and established an elementary education Catholic school for boys named San Julián honoring the patron saint of Güines. This school operated in the Villa under the sponsorship of La Salle Brothers until June 1931, when due to the existing economic situation, they decided to close the school because it was not affordable. Güines Parish Priest, Father José Ramón Rodríguez Núñez did not allow the closing of this educational institution and kept the school open under his auspices until 1936 when the Salesians of Don Bosco took control and direction of the same.

1908

Emilio Roger Calle (aka. Mozura), Mayor of Güines (1908-1916)

In 1908 Emilio Roger Calle (popularly known as Mozura) was elected Mayor remaining as such until 1916. This intelligent and dynamic Mayor made important urban improvements in Güines, among them the total reconstruction of the Villa‘s Plaza, an area of four blocks delineated by Herrera, trujillo, Álvarez and Peñas Streets and crossed by Medio and Havana Streets, giving it the appearance of a public promenade.

1909

Güines Civil Cemetery was built this year by General Ernesto Asbert Díaz, Governor of Havana and Emilio Roger Calle, Municipal Mayor, with the help of the people and thanks to the tenacity and decisive and noble purpose to improve Güines.

1911

In 1911, Reverend Canon Vega Rodríguez was appointed Pastor of Güines Presbyterian Church, lasting until 1913 when he was replaced by Reverend Francisco Piñol, who lead the church until 1916.

1916

In 1916 Eduardo Grau Gómez was elected Mayor of Güines, lasting in office until 1920. That same year on August 2, Father Manuel Espinosa Gamarra was appointed proprietary Parish Priest, remaining as such for 4 years or until July 27, 1920 and also in 1916, Reverend Eduardo G. Gálvez was appointed Pastor of Güines Presbyterian Church remaining in office until 1921.

1920

In 1920 Güinero Dr. Armando Chardiet Sagarduy was elected as Representative to Cuba‘s House of Representatives, being reelected in 1924 and 1930.

Cayetano González, Mayor of Güines (1920-1926)

Also in 1920, Cayetano González a very enterprising Güinero, was elected Mayor, starting a municipal public works program. His Administration lasted until 1926.


Father Manuel Boher Jiménez, Güines Parish Priest (1920-1927)

That same year 1920, on July 27, Father Don Manuel Boher Jiménez was appointed proprietary Parish Priest of Güines, remaining as such for 7 years until 1927.

1921

In 1921, Reverend José Mauricio Hernández was appointed Pastor of Güines Presbyterian Church remaining as such for 13 years until 1934.

1925

On September 19, 1925, the Rotary Club of Güines was founded being Dr. Ramón Casas Bacallao, its first President.

1926

On October 10, 1926, Güines Journalists Association, placed a marble plaque in the building where “La Marina” (The Navy) hardware store was located on Maximo Gomez Street (formerly Real Street), marking the place where colonel Enrique G. Castellanos Alfonso was born on January 13, 1844. He was an expeditionary in the ship “Virginius” a mission organized by Manuel and Rafael Quesada whose leader was General Bernabe Varona (Bembeta). They were boarded and apprehended at the end of 1873 by the spanish corvette “Tornado” between Cuba and Jamaica and taken to Santiago de Cuba. Enrique G. Castellanos Alfonso was executed by firing squad in that city on November 8, 1873. Such plaque reads: “It is here where the house stood where the distinguished Güinero martyr and soldier colonel Enrique G. Castellanos y Alfonso was born, a renowned patriot and legionnaire of the 1868 epic war. He was born January 13, 1844 and being an expeditionary in the ship “Virginius” he was executed by firing squad in Santiago de Cuba on November 8, 1873 giving his life in holocaust for the independence of his homeland. And as homage of recognition and as a tribute of admiration we remember him with this offering. Güines Journalists Association. October 10, 1926.”
On October 1926, a violent hurricane hit Cuba causing great damage and havoc in the Villa of Güines.
José Díaz Valdivia was elected Mayor in 1926, taking office on February 24, 1927. His public tenure lasted until 1932.

José Díaz Valdivia, Mayor of Güines (1926-1932)

1927

Father Silvio Montaña Pradera was appointed Güines temporary parish priest, remaining as such until 1929 when Father José María Fernández Gallol, also temporary, replaced him and stayed until 1931.

1931

Monsignor José Ramón Rodríguez Nüñez, Güines Parish Priest from 1931 to 1957

On May 20, 1931, Father Don José Ramón Rodríguez Núñez, of happy and beloved memory, was appointed proprietary parish priest of the parish of Güines, remaining as such for 26 years until his death on August 3, 1957.

1932

Manuel González Regalado, Mayor of Güines (1932-1933)

In 1932, Manuel González Regalado became Mayor staying in office only for 1 year.

1933

In 1933, a trío of Mayors ruled the Municipality during this turbulent period, Carlos J. Smith, Francisco Fernández Tosco and Armando Fernández Jorva. Their mandate lasted until 1936.

Francisco Fernández Tosco, Co–Mayor of Güines (1933-1936)

Armando Fernández Jorva, Co–Mayor (1933–1936) and again Mayor of Güines (1936-1938)

1934

In 1934, Reverend Eduardo G. Gálvez was appointed for a second time, Pastor of Güines Presbyterian Church, lasting until 1937.

1936

In 1936, Armando Fernández Jorva, intelligent and capable, was elected Mayor, bestowing many public works and benefits on Güines, his mandate lasted until 1938 when he resigned after being elected Representative to Cuba‘s House of Representatives, Tirso Brito Díaz replacing him as Mayor. Fernández Jorva was reelected as Representative in 1942 and 1946. On March 16, 1936, the religious Catholic order Sons of Don Bosco (Salesians) took control and direction of San Julián School, originally founded in Güines in 1907 by La Salle Brothers, continuing such educational task in the Villa until the confiscation of the school building and belongings in 1961 and the expulsion of teachers, priests and lay brothers by the Communist regime.

Dr. Rafael Zervigón Castellanos (Fillo), elected to the House of Representatives (1936-1938)

In 1936 Güineros Dr. Rafael Zervigón Castellanos (“Fillo”) and Dr. Silvano Herrera Mora, were elected as Representatives in Cuba‘s House of Representatives. “Fillo” was reelected as such in 1938.

1937

In 1937, Reverend Manuel J. Osorio was appointed Pastor of Güines Presbyterian Church lasting in his office 10 years until 1947.

On November 1937, Güines High School opened its doors to the youth from Güines and neighborly towns.

1938

On May 20, 1938 José Martí‘s bust was inaugurated in Arango y Parreño Park, the work of Cuban sculptor Teodoro Ramos Blanco, replacing the old gazebo existing there since the initial construction of the park.

1939

In 1939 radio station CMRT, The Voice of the Valley was inaugurated. It was closed in 1945. It spread culture and entertainment for 7 years throughout the southern part of Havana Province.

1940

In 1940 Güinero Dr. Ignacio Rodríguez Arias was elected as Representative to Cuba‘s House of Representatives. Also in that year, Tirso Brito Díaz who replaced Armando Fernández Jorva as Mayor in 1938, was elected Mayor of Güines, remaining in office until 1946.

Dr. Ignacio Rodríguez Arias, elected to the House of Representatives (1936-1938)

Tirso Brito Díaz, Mayor of Güines (1933-1936)

1943

On June 6, 1943 the local society from Güines, New China was inaugurated. Its first President was the well–known local businessman Joaquín Lee, publishing a newspaper The Chinese Union, whose Editor was Gerardo Alayón Labarga and that published several issues in the Mandarin language.

In this same year 1943, the institution Brage Yacht Club in the banks of Mayabeque River, was inaugurated, famous later on for its sport and social activities, among them the famous New Year‘s Eve ball, very popular in all Güines and nearby towns.

1944

In 1944 San Julián Street that crossed in front of the church, disappeared, the two pieces of land were paved over, forming one park only, works carried out by the Municipality. Also in this year, in the month of October a violent hurricane hit Güines and Cuba, that caused a lot of damage, flooding and evacuations of people from the rural areas to safe buildings in town, helped by Güines‘ Red Cross and security forces of the Villa.

1946

Jaime Quintero Gómez, Mayor of Güines (1946-1950)

In 1946, Jaime Quintero Gómez was elected Mayor of Güines as candidate of the Authentic Party, staying in office until 1950. Also, on Saturday, April 6, 1946, the Retailers Association was created in Güines, being its first President, Evelio Hernández.

1947

In 1947, Reverend Julio A. Fuentes was appointed Pastor of Güines Presbyterian Church, lasting 1 year in office until 1948 when he was replaced by Reverend Oroente Palacio who remained as such for a period of 10 years until 1958.

1949

In 1949 the Ministry of Public Works started reconstruction and modernization works of Arango y Parreño Park and José Martí‘s bust, located in the middle of the park, erected due to the patriotic fervor of Lodge A.J.E.F. José Martí (spanish acronym for Youth Association Hope of the Fraternity) juvenile section of Lodge Mayabeque was transferred to the other park in Güines named Martí built by the Provincial Government upon the initiative of the then Provincial Counselor, Dr. Ramón Casas Bacallao.

1950

Arcelio Tagle Borges, Mayor of Güines (1950-1952)

In 1950, after hard fought elections, Arcelio Tagle Borges was elected Mayor of Güines, defeating Jaime Quintero Gómez the incumbent Mayor. Arcelio Tagle governed as such until March 10, 1952 when a coup d‘état masterminded by General Fulgencio Batista caused the constitutional government of President Carlos Prío Socarrás to stop governing.

1951

In 1951 Güines Theater Foundation was created, springing out of the Dramatization of the Passion of Jesus Christ sponsored by Parish Priest Rodríguez Nüñez, taking its legal form in 1956.

Founding team of the Güines Theater Foundation (1956): Dinora Sardiñas, Sandra Gómez, Prof. Nena Acevedo, Orlando Hernández, Enrique Ramos, Marie Curí, Efrén Besanilla, Ramón González Cueva, Alberto Miralla, Bertilo Pérez Alpízar, Alejandro Asís, Julio Troya, Enio Hernández, and Efrén del Castillo

1952

Rafael Morales Febles, Mayor of Güines (1952-1958)

The coup d‘état lead by Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar on March 10, 1952 changed the constitutional order of the Republic, affecting the political order and tranquility of the country. The elected Mayor Arcelio Tagle Borges resigned his office in 1952 and Rafael Morales Febles was appointed Mayor that same year.

1954

Lodge Francisco Calcagno #71, of the Knights of the Light order. Founded on February 7, 1954

On Sunday, February 7, 1954 Lodge Francisco Calcagno #71 of the Order Knights of the Light, inaugurated its temple building located in Máximo Gómez (formerly Real) and Mamey Streets. In the same building Lodges Rosa trujillo #36 of the Priestesses of the Home, feminine section of the Knights of the Light as well as Little Ray of Light #21 and Improvement #16, also labored. That same year, the Council Saint Julian #3906 of the Order of the Knights of columbus was established in Güines, being its first Grand Knight, Eneas Almoína Castellanos.

1955

In 1955, those devoted to Saint Barbara erected a chapel on Las Delicias or Santa Barbara Street in the popular Güinero neighborhood of Leguina. To that effect a marble plaque was placed in the interior of the chapel which reads as follows: “In the year 1864 Mr. Pascual Fernandez Gavilan brought to the Villa of Güines the first image of Saint Barbara brought to Cuba and which came from the city of Barcelona, Spain, through Reverend Father Mora. Today in the year 1955 his grandchildren Josefa Díaz Fernandez, her brother David Díaz Fernandez and Ms. Maria Pernia widow of Mocoroa, Angela Pernia and Caridad Pedroso erected her chapel in the same place with the cooperation of those devoted to her and the people. It was blessed by the vicar Monsignor Jose R. Rodriguez Nuñez and its sponsors were Mr. Eusebio Benitez Pérez and his wife Pilar Caneiro de Benitez. Mr. Manuel Hernandez was appointed as Chamberlain and Master.”

Saint Barbara‘s Chapel, Güines

Saint Barbara‘s image, Güines

1956

The last Sunday during the month of April, starting in 1956, due to the initiative of Güines Rotary Club, the Day of the River was celebrated, to honor the generous Mayabeque in gratitude for the wealth and prosperity its waters gave to our lands. This celebration lasted for only 2 or 3 years until the Communists canceled it.
Rafael Morales Febles, Municipal Mayor, completely rebuilt Güines Municipal Cemetery, streets, sidewalks, water and electrical installations with a new and wider entrance, repairing the walls surrounding it. On May 13, 1956, a bronze plaque was placed at the Cemetery‘s entrance which reads: “–1909–Gral. Ernesto Asbert y Díaz–Governor of the Province–and Emilio Roger y Calle–Municipal Mayor–built this Cemetery with the help of the people and thanks to the tenacity and decisive and noble purpose to improve Güines.–1956–Rafael Morales Febles–Municipal Mayor–rebuilt it completely streets, sidewalks, water and electrical installations with a new and wider entrance repairing the walls surrounding it at the same time. And to notify future generations and in memory of General Asbert, Roger y Calle and Morales Febles, this bronze plaque is placed on May 13, 1956”.

1957

Reverend Father Mérito González Artigas, Güines Parish Priest until the beginning of communism. Exiled in 1961. This picture was taken on October 3, 2002, in Madrid, Spain, where he now lives. Courtesy of Dr. Rosita Awais, from Hialeah, Florida

When Father Rodríguez died in 1957, the parish church of Güines was occupied by Father Mérito González Artígas, as proprietary Parish Priest, who remained as such until September 15, 1961 when he was arrested by the Communist hordes and expelled from Cuba together with other priests, nuns and religious people.

1958

In 1958, Reverend Ernesto Núñez Govea was appointed pastor of Güines Presbyterian Church, lasting in this office for several months, being replaced in the same year by Reverend David Achón Gómez, who stayed in office until 1960.

Julián Martínez Díaz, Mayor–elect of Güines (1958)

In the month of June 1958, municipal elections were held, and the Mayor‘s candidate Julián Martínez Díaz defeated Rafael Morales Febles. Mayor–elect Martínez was going to take the oath of office in 1959 when Fidel Castro‘s communist “revolution” took over, sinking the country in chaos and destruction.

translated by the staff of Círculo Güinero de Los Ángeles

Continue to: XX Century – Communist Era (1959-2000)

XX Century - Republican Era (1901-1958)

XX Century - Republican Era
(1901-1958)