HIDDEN HUMÅTAK

HUM­ÅTAK'S HIDDEN SPANISH BRIDGE

In a number of places on Guam, you and I can drive right by and not realize that you just passed physical remains of our island's history.

Such is the case with a Spanish bridge in Humåtak that lies hidden underneath modern concrete and asphalt.

FROM HÅGAT TO HUMÅTAK

The yellow line from Hågat to Humåtak

During the 1700s, Humåtak was the place to be. That's where most of the ships anchored when they came to Guam. For that reason, the Spanish Governor moved down to Humåtak whenever the yearly Acapulco galleon pulled in, or if another ship happened to stop by. Granted, this wasn't very often. There were years that not even the Acapulco galleon made a stop. But, in the 1700s, if there was any maritime action, it was mainly to be seen in Humåtak. This meant the arrival of new people and new merchandise; supplies for the church and the government.

For this reason, a road from Hågat to Humåtak was laid out, following the rugged western coast of the island. In many places, bridges had to be built to cross streams and rivers. That's why we find bridges still in existence in places like Talaifak and Sella (Sehya). That's where the coastal road from Hågat to Humåtak went through.

Why is there a bridge in Sella, where nobody lives?
Getting to Humåtak was the point.

NOT MUCH CHOICE

When the road finally got down to Humåtak, it had to cross a stream at the northern part of the village. So the Spaniards built a bridge. The bridge is still in existence, but you wouldn't know it unless someone told you, or if you happened to get down from your car and started snooping.

When a modern bridge was to be built, the planners probably thought they didn't have much of a choice but to build right over the old bridge. The stream isn't that wide, so they just poured concrete over the old bridge, then laid the asphalt and widened the road a bit. Between the coast and the hills, there isn't much land to maneuver with.

Modern concrete on top of old Spanish-period mampostería

During Spanish times, people frequently built using mampostería, a mixture of stone and mortar (for example, wet sand with lime). Coral rocks from the seashore were often used and you can see the identifying grooves of the coral.

Coral Rock

Cut Stone was also used

The stream isn't very wide; in the dry season there isn't even any water.