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===Impact of Henry Barracks Military Reservation=== [[Henry Barracks, Puerto Rico|Henry Barracks]] Military Reservation was a lifeline for the residents of Cayey from 1901 to 1966, when it was declared excess land and passed to the [[General Services Administration]] for decommission. The property consisted of {{convert|439.92|acre|order=flip}} (<ref>FUDS (Sep 27, 2006). Project Fact Sheet-August 2005. Jacksonville, FLA: Army Corps of Engineer</ref>). The property was divided into three prominent encampments: the Spanish Camp or Campamento Español ({{convert|15|acres|order=flip}} ), Camp Henry or Henry Barracks, the Home of the third Battalion of the [[65th Infantry Regiment|65th Inf. Regiment]] that consisted of {{convert|372|acres|order=flip}} , and {{convert|67|acres|order=flip}} the Cayey Naval Radio Station ({{convert|67|acres|order=flip}} )<ref>(Department of the Navy (1915). Map showing boundary lines of the original Spanish Reservation and the present reservation February 7, 1903: Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Yards & Docks, Department of the Navy</ref>). This reservation is situated in the east of the town of Cayey. The Spanish Reservation containing an area of approximately {{convert|15|acres|order=flip}} , known as Hospital Hill was set apart by Executive Order of June 30, 1903, under an Act of Congress approved on July 7, 1902.<ref>Executive Order of June 30, 1903, under an Act of Congress approved on July 7, 1902</ref> The main army post was located in the northern part of the reservation, initially housing the [[Puerto Rico Volunteer Infantry Regiment]]. The combined posts had approximately 1,200 men who used the resources provided by the town people. Families moved into Punta Brava and Vieques neighborhoods. A laundry, show shop, and other smaller stores were located right outside the gate. By 1906 about 350 civilians had jobs in the two posts (Camp Henry and The Cayey Navy Radio Station). The [[United States Department of the Navy|U.S. Department of the Navy]] submitted a proposal to raise three {{convert|620|ft|order=flip}} tall masts as part of a global radio communication linkage. In 1916 the Department of the Navy approved a budget of $40,000. At the time 300 men were hired to build the facility for a period of two-year, the project was completed in 1918<ref>(Hopper, S.C. (1922) Development of high power radio and its practical applications in the Services of the United States Navy. ''Radio Broadcast Magazine'' 1(3), 484–489).</ref> On September 11, 1928, a category five hurricane called San Felipe destroyed the temporary buildings at Henry Barracks, and the Navy Radio Station.<ref>Fassig, O.L. (September 1928). San Felipe-the Hurricane of September 13, 1928, at San Juan, P.R. San Juan, Puerto Rico: Station Report Weather Bureau Office-San Juan</ref> A radio message was sent from the Cayey Navy Radio Station on September 18, 1928, to follow “All buildings Henry Barracks destroyed by hurricane September 13th”.<ref>(Adjutant General 600.913).</ref> The Navy left Cayey and moved its station to Isla Grande and Stop 7 {{frac|1|2}} in Puerto de Tierra. All the land held by the Navy included Magazine Hill (known in the community as "El Polvorin"), which was taken over by the [[United States Army|U. S. Army]]. The 65th Infantry Regiment remained in the north side of the post. The south side was converted into two {{convert|1000|ft|order=flip}} shooting ranges<ref>( Parsons, Inc (2010). Site Inspection Report: Henry Barracks Military Reservation. Norcross, Georgia: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-FUDS Project 102PR097902).</ref> The decision was made to reconstruct all building for the regiment in the north side in concrete<ref>Quartermaster (July 31, 1929) Completion Report at Henry Barracks, Puerto Rico. Governors Island, New York: War Department.</ref> One hundred and ninety buildings were completed, to include the north side of Henry Barracks.<ref>(Smith, C. (July 15, 1930). Completion Report for the construction of one two-company barracks and two one-company barracks at Henry Barracks, Cayey, Puerto Rico: Quartermaster Constructing Report. U.S. Army).</ref> Over 600 men were hired for a period of three years to work in these projects. During this period three large barrack buildings were constructed. The two one company barracks each had its own mess hall and kitchen and was occupied by an infantry company each. The two companies barrack located in the center of the quad occupied the Battalion Headquarters Co. and the Machine Gun Co.<ref>(Smith, C. (July 15, 1930). Completion Report for the construction of one two-company barracks and two one-company barracks at Henry Barracks, Cayey, Puerto Rico: Quartermaster Constructing Report. U.S. Army. p.4</ref> By 1953, the [[United States Department of the Army|U.S. Department of the Army]] had reached the conclusion that Henry Barracks would be closed in the near future. A full complement of maintenance personnel composed of professional, technical, and daily laborers were maintained in the Reservation. The growth of three major housing developments is evidence of the economic impact of the Reservation (Reparto Montellano, El Polvorin, Urbanización Aponte)<ref>Personal communication with Maj. Manuel Rivera Garcia (ret.) and Harry Benett, J.D.(August 24, 2014)</ref> While the all-Puerto Rican 65th Infantry regiment would never return to its home base, several other initiatives were undertaken, which had a direct impact on the economic development of the town and the region, one such initiatives was the commissioning of the Caribbean Signal Agency in 1959. Over the coming years several tenants occupied the lands comprised by the Henry Barracks Military Reservation, among them: * In the company size building to the west of the quad, the [[Puerto Rico National Guard|National Guard]] had its Officer Training School in 1965 and 1966. It was later moved to [[Campamento Santiago|Camp Santiago]] in [[Salinas, Puerto Rico|Salinas]]. The golf course was used as a helicopter landing strip. * [[YMCA]] [[Peace Corps|Cuerpos de Paz]], and VESPRA (1965–68) had an Administration Building, a swimming pool, a golf course and three houses, which housed the majors and their families.<ref>El Mundo, 26 de enero 1965, p.7-8</ref> * The [[Encampment for Citizenship]] held its 1966 six-week encampment in the two-company building in the middle of the quad. One hundred fifty-one young leaders from 56 countries from all over the world meet in Cayey to learn to develop self-government and to perform community development projects.<ref>''San Juan Star'', Sunday Magazine p. 4 Agosto 1966</ref> * The Foundation for Community Development moved to the housing is located in the southeastern part of the Post until 1972.<ref>Silva Gotay, S. (1967). Proposal for the development of the Instituto de Desarrollo Comunal de Puerto Rico. Funded by the Office of eEconomic Opportunity, Washington, D.C. under the Community Action Programs</ref> Thousands of people received training in community development, and leadership during those years.
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