First shot of the Philippine-American War (1899-1902)

Wounded American soldiers pose in front of San Juan Bridge in 1899.

Present day. San Juan - Sta. Mesa Bridge. Is that the same tree at the foot of the bridge now grown to maturity? I would like to think so..


As an aside, it was taught in Philippine schools that the first shot of the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) was fired on this bridge. But recently there has been some revisions, and the plaque commemorating this has been quietly moved from here, where it had resided for ages...

To here. Silencio Street corner Sociego Street near Santol Street, Sta. Mesa. Which back in 1899 was Santol Town, composed of "...half a dozen shacks." (Philippine War by McAllister Linn copyright 2000).

The location was a former blockhouse (not the residence in the photo), that existed here, where, depending on whose version is to be believed, Private Grayson fired on a Filipino soldier either unprovoked, or when he thought his life was in danger.