La Intendencia, a long two-story government building, faces a paved plaza in San Juan. An American flag flies above it, and lamp posts, benches, and small trees fill the open square; arcaded commercial buildings frame the view on both sides. Built in the 1840s as the Spanish colonial treasury, the building was taken over by the U.S. military government after 1898 and later became home to the Puerto Rico Department of State. The sender's note about no sleigh rides in San Juan points to the winter contrast with New England.
Postcard Details
Message · English, in pen
San Juan, Jan 27 = 1904.
We get no sleigh rides here, H
Undivided-back era card with a white border; heavy foxing/staining across the sky area, worn corners and a chipped lower-left corner showing the blue backing. Handwritten date and message on the front: “San Juan, Jan 27 = 1904” and “We get no sleigh rides here, H”.
Postmark: SAN JUAN, P.R. JAN 26 12 M. Received mark: AMESBURY REC'D 7-AM 19 04 MASS. Undivided back with printed CARTA POSTAL heading, green 1¢ Franklin stamp, toned card stock, small corner crease lower right.
Cite this card
La Intendencia, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1904, postcard, c. 1904. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/la-intendencia-san-juan-puerto-rico-1904. Accessed November 2, 2026.
