Mona Island and the guano industry, 1877-1885

Abstract

This article delves into the development of the guano industry in its most important location in Puerto Rico, Mona Island. The initial years of guano production were erratic; but the Spanish and Puerto Rican governments saw potential and continued to try to develop this possibly lucrative export. Initial attempts to export guano to the United States proved successful, but the industry lacked the expertise to greatly expand production. To solve this dilemma came a Canadian geologist and expert in guano extraction John G. Miller and his assistant Carlos Miguel Iglesias Mons. They were not only able to expand guano production, but also to use their expertise to prepare exports for different markets including those in Great Britain. Miller and Iglesias would lay the foundations for guano exports that would eventually flourish into Puerto Rico‘s third most important export a decade later.