Evening star., 1927-12-30
GUATEMALA CITY
PART OF OLD SPAIN
Capital Visited by Lindbergh
Sadly in Need of I'M
pr0vementS.

"Guatemala City is not of the New
World" says communication to the
National Geographic Society describing
the first of the capitals which lind
bereh is visiting on his goodwill tour
through Central America.
"Guatemala City belongs to old
Spain" continues the bulletin. 1T il.
city suggestive of the Moors. with
narrow streets. varicolored houses.
deep-Set, barred windows bright
patloS. porticoes and colonnadcs.
Guatemala's capital has always
peen Nulcan's playthinc. He has
shaken ii down. even destroyed it. and
has seen it rise again on three diff
terent sites and under as many names
Founded in 1921.
I'm 1927 Pedro de Alvarado began
the first city on the lower slopes of
Aqua. In 15il came night of tor
rental rain. lightning. thunder and
earth rumhlings. then a terrifying
shudder. Tho crater of Aqua was
torn apart and the lake which filled it
rushed down to sovcrwhelm the city.
"A new capital. built Il few miles to
the northeast. in time became one of
the most imposing cities of the New
World. with splendid palaces and more
than 90 impressive church buildings.
The old city was but a memory, earth.
quakes were forgotten and an seemed
we'll as the new capital grew richer
and more powerful.
I'm l1l1. with an eruption of Fuego
came an earthquake that leveled the
city. Again it was built and again
n no f,ft
Boston tea party.
The capital was again transferred
this time 80 miles away to- the site
OF the present city. and the life OF
the people moved on until in 1917
came series of trembings that first
cracked the thick adobe walls and
then caused them to crumble. Since
lal, the capital city has again been
practically rebuilt. thus illustrating
the tenacity with which people cling
10 homes that have been erected
where the shadow OF some volcano
falls.
100. 900 Population.
"'i'he population Of the present
capital is more than 100. 900. The
city. set in the midst OF the Valley
Of The Rio de las Nacas tCow River
Is hemmed in by low mountain ridges
and group Of imposing volcanoes.
AT one time the church and
the clergy dominated the capital city
and the monastic orders built many
really magnificent structures The
orders were hanisheti. however. and
tn; post office and customshouse now
occupy the Monastery of San Fran.
cisco; the National Institute is in the
Jesuit College: liquor dispenSary oc.
cupies the famous Monastery of
Santo Domingo and a cheap theater
is in another disniiied religious edi
flee.
The central plaza Ia not beautiful
now. The earthquake partly ruined
the imposing cathedral to the east:
the Chinese. as memorial. have
built n number Of pagoialii>c build
incS TO the north: the dignitied Cen
tennial Building nrcupies another
side. and the PortaloS, with little
one eand.two.story shops. complete the
quadrangle. II is a ctriuus picture
Of ruin. dignity. tawdriness and pa.
rndas
"Gnatemala City needs paving
waterworks and sewers. hut so would
any town that had passed through
the ordeal that came TO this capital
in 1917. and steps are being taken
now tn remedy these conditions The
city has many fine shops, comforta.
HE clubs. at least two good hotels
the inevitable motion picture theater,
where damaged American films are
shown. and--marimha bands.
The marimha. that queer African
instrument which Guatemala made its
| own, has deep. rich tones. and pro.
duces profoundly stirring music.