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LOCAL Thursday 16 January 2025

Place names in San Nicolas and their origins

(Oranjestad)--If you’re ever famous Red Anchor at what fore also called Vader Piet district was named after the
taking a tour of Aruba, San was once the entrance to Vader Piet (Father Piet). However, he saint by Spanish colonizers,
Nicolas would definitely be the Colony residential com- Another well visited area, was tragically murdered— the other account is much
on your itinerary. From re- munity and be greeted with Vader Piet is located in the some speculate at the hands less divine, but does refer to
laxing on the white, sandy red soiled hills by the coast. Arikok National Park. Recog- of a slave. For his work and an influential figure in the
beaches of Baby and Roger’s This is Sero Colorado. Named nizable sites within this area good heart, the area was area.
Beach, to exploring the pre- after the 30-meter, deep red, includes the Wind Mills and named after him. Nicolaas van der Biest was a
historic caves of Quadirikiri limestone hill, “Sero Colora- the Quadirikiri Cave. The ori- successful landowner during
and Fontein, you are taking do” translates to “Colored gin of this name is part histori- San Nicolas the time of the phosphate
in a full view of what San Hill”. Sero Colorado has deep cal and speculation, as there Of course we can’t forget boom in late 19th century
Nicolas has to offer. But did historical ties with the once- are slight deviations from San Nicolas itself. Much like Aruba. Back then, landown-
you know that you are also thriving phosphate industry what actually happened. Vader Piet, the origin of the ers (most, if not all of them
passing through areas whose in the area. Matter of fact, name San Nicolas has so far men) were referred to as
names have historical ori- there are still underground In 1829, Pieter Lampe was a two different accounts. In “Shon” by their subordinates.
gins? Here are a few place shafts and passages deep planter and the person re- the literal sense, “San Nico- So, the district was originally
names in San Nicolas and in Sero Colorado from the sponsible for governing this las” translates to “Saint Nico- named after Shon Nicolaas.
their origin story. time of phosphate mining. In remote area. As the story las”, leading many to believe Over time, the name evolved
1958, the refinery at the time, goes, Pieter was well known that this district was named into what is now San Nicolas.
Sero Colorado Lago, adopted this name for and beloved for his kindness after a Spanish saint. Though
On your way to Baby or Rog- the residential section of its and good treatment of his one account does support Source: “Aruba: Short History”
er’s Beach, you’ll pass by the employees. employees, and was there- this with the theory that the by Dr. J. Hartog.

Create museum memories

ORANJESTAD — Museums are an in- be restored and preserved as one for its collection and activities. After pleted in November 2007 and the
tegral part of conserving and honor- of Aruba's monuments. The Museum studying various options, a project permanent exhibit, financed by the
ing cultures, and Aruba is no excep- of Industry is part of Aruba Museum proposal was drawn up, including Aruban Government and the Union
tion. Our Island has a wide selection Foundation (Fundacion Museo Aru- the acquisition and restoration of of Cultural Organizations (UNOCA),
of various museums for our locals ban), which is a foundation set to historical buildings in downtown opened in July 2009.
and visitors to see. Take this oppor- maintain, preserve, and protect the Oranjestad.
tunity to learn about our island and Aruban cultural sector, history, and At the new location, the National
experience a different day beyond nature. The museum of Industry is These historical buildings were for- Archaeological Museum Aruba dis-
the beach. Let us introduce to you open daily from 9 am till 6 pm. merly the property of the Ecury fam- poses of approximately 500 m2 for
these museums. For more information, check out their ily. The “Ecury Complex”, is a cluster its permanent exhibit. This exhibit
Facebook page Museum of Industry of single and two-story historic build- conveys information on the origin
Museum of Industry Aruba Aruba. ings, mainly Dutch colonial archi- and culture of the first inhabitants
The Museum of Industry is located in tecture from the late 19th and 20th of the island through archaeologi-
San Nicolas—better known as the art Archaeological Museum of Aruba century on a plot of approximately cal objects and modern exhibition
capital of Aruba. This museum exhib- The Archaeological Museum of 1.700 m2. techniques. The new permanent
its the industrial history of gold, aloe, Aruba is located at Schelpstraat 42 exhibit gives the visitor an insight
phosphate, oil and tourism through in downtown Oranjestad. The reno- In 1997, the Aruban Government into the cultures that inhabited the
elaborated displays and multimedia vated historic Ecury complex in the bought the complex for the National island in Pre-Historical and Early His-
installations. area has been transformed from a Archaeological Museum project. torical times. The museum also hosts
The Museum of Industry is situated in family home to a modern museum In 2004, a financial agreement was attractive public programs, includ-
the Water Tower in San Nicolas and that preserves Aruba’s Amerindian signed with the European Develop- ing lectures, educational projects,
narrates Aruba's industrial history, cultural heritage. This 21st century ment Fund and in 2006, restoration temporary exhibits and workshops.
which began in the 19th century. museum is especially designed to and construction work began on the
The Water Tower was built in 1939 preserve valuable artifacts dating monumental buildings and the soon- The museum is open daily from 9:30
and consists of three sections: the back to the Pre-Ceramic period of to-be exhibition space. In December am till 4:30 pm. For more informa-
substructure, the high-rising vertical 2500 BC. 2007, the key to the complex was tion check out the Facebook page
shaft, and the tank at the top. The delivered and the museum’s employ- Museo Arqueologico Nacional
Water Tower was purchased by the In the late 1980’s, AMA identified ees moved to the new location. The Aruba.q
Monuments Fund in 2003 so it can its need for an adequate housing final design for the exhibit was com-