History

Originally, Hatillo consisted of a lot of approximately ten "cuerdas" (a cuerda is less than an acre). Agustín Ruíz Miranda granted these cuerdas with the condition that public buildings be erected and wide streets be built and the remaining land be sold or yielded for homes and nothing else.

Flag
The flag consists of three broad stripes - Blue, Yellow and Green:

Blue represents the sea, yellow represents the material and artistic wealth of the town and green represents the vegetation of its fields in all its territorial extension.

Coat of Arms
On top of the shield is a gold crown with three towers over a silver field a Custard Apple tree (annona reticulata) and a field with two cows in gold which is over eight blue and silver-plated waves. At the center is a shield of "La Orden del Carmen". Under the shield as a motto the inscription, Hatillo Del Corazón.

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

• Aibonito
• Bayaney
• Buena Vista
• Campo Alegre
• Capáez
• Carrizales
• Corcovado
• Hatillo
• Naranjito

Geo/Topography
Camuy River

Agriculture
Today, Hatillo is the major producer of milk on the island and produces a third of the milk consumed in Puerto Rico.

Business
Plaza del North Mall located in the district of Carrizalez.

Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

• Antigua Central Bayaney
• Casa De Playa Country Inn
• Colonial Walk
• Del Carmen Walk
• Francisco Deida Méndez Stadium
• Hacienda Santa Rosa Ruins
• Hatillo Caverns
• José Antonio Monrouzeau Theater
• La Marina
• Los Ilustres Park
• Pagan Caverns
• Parish
• Plaza Norte Mall
• Robinson Schoolhouse
• Sardinera Beach
• Trapiche de Santa Rosa

Festivals and events

• "Los Tradicionales" Hatillo Mask Festival
• Truco (card game) - all year
• Fiestas de la Cruz - May
• San Juan Day - June
• Matron Celebration - July
  Its patron saint is Our lady of Mount Carmel. known as Virgen del Carmen. The patron saint festivities are held during the first 2 weeks of July and always includes the 16th of July in its weeks. The 16th of July is the Virgin of Carmel day, and it is celebrated with great pride and devotion still today. The day of the Virgin, La Patrona, is a very special day on our town with several all- day masses starting at 5 am with lots of penitents and favored-ones of the Patrona. Many people come every year for the High Mass at 3 pm. This mass includes the special procession and carriage of the venerated statue of the virgin through all the town center streets, and a special "trip" over to the near ocean shore by the local fishermen on their traditional boats known as "Yolas", because Our Lady Of Carmel is the Patron Saint of fishermen and it is a special devotion for our city.
• Festival Típico del Cooperativismo - October
• Festival de las Máscaras - 28 December (colorful mask festival)
• Typical Festivities - December
• There is a Tradition each year on the 28th of December which is known as the Máscaras (Masks) of Hatillo. This Tradition dates back to 1823, when the town of Hatillo was founded. This Tradition came with settlers from the Canary Islands. The meaning of this tradition is the Holy Innocents, or Santos Inocentes: the first martyrs of Christian faith from Matthew's story in which small children were killed by Herod in an unsuccessful attempt to kill Jesus. It is a very special day with lots of fun and a large meeting of Mascaras: masked men and women of all ages, who wear costumes according to tradition, typically covered from head to toe, and parade through their town and nearby towns all day, making jokes and having fun, followed by a large multiple, and celebrated procession through all the town and nearby town's neighborhoods, and ending at the Hatillo town center. It is a multi-dynamic and wonderful experience for everyone in Hatillo and nearby towns. This special tradition came from the Canary Islands, the main place from Spain where the Hatillo, Camuy, and nearby town's Spanish immigrants arrived, mainly in the 1800's. Many of the native people of Hatillo, Camuy, Arecibo, and several nearby towns are proud to call themselves "Isleños", or people descendant from the Canary Island's immigrants.

Notable "Hatillanos"

• Antonio Arocho-Soto, Esq.
• Carmelo Rodríguez
• Fernando Ledesma
• Dr. Francisco M. Susoni
• Felipe Arana
• Dr. Guillermo Cuberlo
• José A. Monrouzeau
• José R. Millán
• José P.H. Hernandez
• Juan R. {Roco} García
• Luis H. Lacomba
• Lorenzo Coballes Gandía
• Manuel Alcaide Cordero
• Oscar Colón Delgado
• Pablo J. Aguilar
• Pedro Pablo Vargas
• Ramón Millán
• Senadora Velda Gonzalez

Additional Information

Hatillo has the biggest pot in Puerto Rico. Measuring 8 feet across by 2½ feet deep. It has traveled all over the island for activities. In one occasion 2,400 lbs. of rice, ham, chicken and other ingredients were prepared. The owner is Dr. Sigfredo (Fifo) Aguilar.

Hatillo, Puerto Rico. (2006, October 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:56, October 25, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hatillo%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=82858349