Juan Ponce de León y Loayza

[9] The first Spanish settlement was near Rio Jacaguas,[10] but being too vulnerable to indigenous peoples attacks at that location,[11] the colony moved further west and inland to the banks of Rio Portugues,[12] near the center of the current location of the city that bears his name.

[15] While a resident there, and as son of interim governor of Puerto Rico, Juan Ponce de León y Loayza worked to have the Queen of Spain issue a permit to formalize the founding of a hamlet there.

The hamlet had developed around the small chapel, raised and dedicated in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

On 17 September 1692, the King of Spain Carlos II issued a Cédula Real (Royal Permit) converting the chapel into a parish, and in so doing officially recognized the small settlement as a hamlet as was Spanish custom.

[16] It is believed that Juan Ponce de León y Loayza himself was instrumental in obtaining the royal permit to formalize the founding of the hamlet.