230 years of the foundation of Guatemala City |
Neighborhood Ciudad Vieja, zone 10 |
Interesting sites: Botanical Garden of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala |
Guatemala City, November 2006/ The origin of the Botanical Garden of the City of Guatemala goes way back to the year 1873, when a group of persons showed interest on its creation.
Two years later, M.D. Eduardo Saravia, professor of Medical Botany of the School joins these efforts, making the first request of seeds to Casa Vilmorin in Paris, France; and later being in charge of the distribution of the plants. However, due to the lack of water the first crops were not accomplished. Engineer Manuel López Pedrajos joins the team, drawing the blueprints of the Botanical Garden.
The lack of water stopped the works in 1914, but this situation inspired Dr. Rosal, who ordered the perforation of a well, requesting himself the bomb and electric motor to New York. This machinery was installed in 1915, and that same year the steel tower, the deposit tank and tubing for the distribution of water arrived, all of which were necessary for the garden. All these jobs were supervised by Dr. Rosal.
In 1917 the first crops were planted systematically, obtaining samples from the city and other departments of the country, importing some others from the United States of America and bringing some seeds from Europe. Also, several people contributed by giving away some species. At the same time, they were projecting the establishment of a Botanical Laboratory, Museum and Classroom. Finally, all these projects were ready and successful thanks to the support of students, teachers, university authorities and government authorities as well.
However, the Botanical Garden would be definitely established in its present location in 1922, through the donation granted by the President of the Republic, Carlos Herrera to the School of Natural Sciences and Pharmacy, under the condition of building in there a Botanical Garden and the corresponding annexed buildings. It was the first Botanical Garden of Central America and it was inaugurated by the university authorities on December 29, 1922, on the day of the celebration of 100 years of birth of the French scientist Luis Pasteur. On the inauguration, Mr. Miguel Contreras, wrote on the Diario de Centro América the following:
Its first director was Licenciado Eduardo Saravia, Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Pharmacy; a little bit later Dr. Honoris Causa Ulises Rojas, was appointed, and he occupied this post during 34 years in two periods (1922-1930 y 1934-1959) and it was under his direction that the Herbarium was established in 1923. In the lapse from 1931-34, Dr. Mariano Pacheco Herrarte was its director. From 1960-64 Lic. Rodrigo Estrada was in charge..
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