On its founder: One cannot speak of theatrical arts in the city of Mayaguez without thinking of Mr. Francisco Maymon Palmer. He was a pioneer in the industry of cinematography. He was a man who traveled through the island of Puerto Rico, showing silent films which arrived on the island even though the people of Puerto Rico had not either heard of or taken interest in them. Due in part to his dedication, the people of Puerto Rico were able to enjoy this new form of art. With the help of Jose Rahola and founder Vargas, Mr. Maymon brought movies from France and Italy to show them in the Old Municipal Theatre (Viejo Teatro Municipal).
Construction of the Teatro Yaguez (Yaguez Theatre) took place from 1907 to 1909. It was inaugurated in 1909. An architectural jewel, Teatro Yaguez is a baroque-style theatre. Many have incorrectly stated that the theatre was built in art-deco style, however, art-deco style began in 1930, more than 20 years after the theatre's construction.
Mr. Maymon suffered a great loss, when on June 20th, 1919, a fire engulfed his beloved theatre. The World Almanac and Book of Facts states that 150 people perished in the fire, although this is still vague in records. According to his family, he was sought after, insulted, and threatened, until investigations of the fire exonerated him of all blame. Mr. Maymon loved the theatre so much, that he once told his son, "Yo me voy...pero eso queda. No dejes que los destruyan. Nunca." (I am leaving, but it remains. Don't allow it to be destroyed. Never.) The theatre was rebuilt and is still in use today and is a registered historical landmark. National Register: 85003086 (12/2/1985)
His son, Miguel A. Maymon Camunas, born in 1912, became the sole proprietor of the Teatro Yaguez in 1954. In 1977, the theatre was acquired, by purchase, by the city (Administracion Municipal) under then mayor, Benjamin Cole Vazquez. The theatre has undergone restorations and is a beautiful reminder of the history of theatre and arts of the 20th century.
It should be added that it was thanks to the United States government, during the 1976 Bicentennial celebrations, that a Bicentennial Commission was sent to Puerto Rico to declare the Yaguez Theatre a Historic Landmark and list it in the Register of Historic Buildings. Once that was done, Federal Funds were made available to the government of Puerto Rico, who in turn made them available to the municipal govermnet of the City of Mayaguez, to purchase the Yaguez from the Maymon family, and proceed to restore it to the original magnificence of a Baroque Opera House.