This photograph was produced by the Detroit Publishing Co. in 1903 and illustrates the significant transformation that was occurring on the island of Puerto Rico in the early portion of the twentieth century as technology continued to advance following the industrial revolution, and improvements in modern technology brought about a new era. The photo features a large group of indigenous Puerto Ricans in front of a traditional dwelling that was made from local resources. Puerto Rico was undergoing a period of growth and development following the conclusion of the Spanish-American war in 1898 and remains central hub for trading between Caribbean nations, The United States, and European markets.

Puerto Rico's capital San Juan remains an iconic city that attracts tourists from around the globe to tour its historic architecture and cultural sites that highlight the island's distinct history. A Spanish colony until 1898, Puerto Rico features a unique blend of European and Indigenous cultures that have blended together for centuries to create the vibrant culture that exists today. Following the end of the Spanish-American War, varying factions have called for independence from its territorial status under the United States while other voices advocate for statehood in America.

The minimal aesthetic and black-and-white tones of this photograph immediately transport the viewer back in time, creating an indelible bond between the past and present. This is an authentic piece of photographic history that illustrates the distinct heritage of the island and how it has progressed and developed since the early twentieth century.

This photograph was produced by the Detroit Publishing Co. in 1903 and illustrates the significant transformation that was occurring on the island of Puerto Rico in the early portion of the twentieth century as technology continued to advance following the industrial revolution, and improvements in modern technology brought about a new era. The photo features a large group of indigenous Puerto Ricans in front of a traditional dwelling that was made from local resources. Puerto Rico was undergoing a period of growth and development following the conclusion of the Spanish-American war in 1898 and remains central hub for trading between Caribbean nations, The United States, and European markets.

Puerto Rico's capital San Juan remains an iconic city that attracts tourists from around the globe to tour its historic architecture and cultural sites that highlight the island's distinct history. A Spanish colony until 1898, Puerto Rico features a unique blend of European and Indigenous cultures that have blended together for centuries to create the vibrant culture that exists today. Following the end of the Spanish-American War, varying factions have called for independence from its territorial status under the United States while other voices advocate for statehood in America.

The minimal aesthetic and black-and-white tones of this photograph immediately transport the viewer back in time, creating an indelible bond between the past and present. This is an authentic piece of photographic history that illustrates the distinct heritage of the island and how it has progressed and developed since the early twentieth century.