Page 493 - Visitor Guides

SIGHTSEEING & HISTORICAL LANDMARKS Sightseeing & Historical Landmarks

Here are a few others you may shaped structures that sit at
find on your journey, begin- its peak. The point offers a
ning with the northern portion bird’s eye view of nearby An-
of the island and working your dersen Air Force Base as well
way down to the scenic south: as the nearby island of Rota.

Northern Guam

South Pacific
Peace Memorial
Park
To commemorate
all those who
died on Guam
during World Battle of Yigo Monument
War II, a Japanese nonprofit Commemorating one of the
group called the South Pacific last WWII battles between
Memorial Association Mission the Japanese and U.S. Forces
funded the construction of following the American inva-
this memorial, completed in sion on July 21, 1944, the
May 1970. Located just off Ma- monument stands as a solemn
part from the rich The beginning of our island’s rine Corps Drive at the foot of reminder of the casualties of
38 A Chamorro culture, the history is characterized by the Mt. Matagi, it is known as the war. It is located across from 39
historic landmarks on Guam use of latte, a limestone pillar site of the last Japanese com- a gas station off Marine Corps
make the island a truly unique (haligi) capped by a curved mand post held by General Drive in Yigo, where U.S.
place to explore. From un- stone (tasa). Now known as a Hideyoshi Obata, commander forces made their way through
spoiled beaches to World War symbol of strength through- of the Imperial Japanese Army Japanese roadblocks on
II sites and thriving remnants out the Marianas Islands during WWII. The 50-foot tow- Aug. 8, just two days before
of the Spanish era, the natural where they are found, latte er, shaped like praying hands, Americans declared the island
charm of our island offers were once used as a founda- commemorates the 500,000 secured.
something for every visitor. tion for homes and other Japanese lives lost throughout
buildings in ancient Chamorro Micronesia during the war.
Historic landmarks and sce- culture.
nic sites throughout Guam
represent five different eras Latte exist throughout the
of the island’s history, be- island as remnants of an-
ginning with the Pre-Latte/ cient Chamorro villages, and
Latte Period (500 AD – 1521), at sites including Senator
and extending through the Angel Santos Memorial Park
Spanish Era (1565 – 1898); (also known as Latte Park) in
the American Period (1898 Hagåtña. Now protected by Mount Santa Rosa Ritidian Point
– 1941); the Japanese Occupa- the Guam Historical Preserva- Known as the highest point in Known as the site of the Guam
tion (1941 – 1944); Liberation tion Committee, lattes are just northern Guam, Mount Santa National Wildlife Refuge oper-
and U.S. Territorial Status some of the many attractions Rosa is an extinct volcano that ated by the U.S. Fish and Wild-
(1944 – Present). to explore on Guam. can be identified by the dome- life Service, Ritidian Point is