The first Puerto Ricans to move to New York were cigar makers, merchant seaman, and women garment workers. These individuals concentrated in three spots: on Sands street in Brooklyn and on 99th and 135th Streets in Harlem. Some 550,000 Puerto Ricans were living in New York at the start of 1957-a fourteenth of the city's populations.
It was not till the late 20's that Puerto Ricans began giving a really Spanish flavor to East Harlem, and not till the 30's that they called the region El Barrio, or El Barrio de Nueva York-barrio is a Spanish word meaning village, locality or ward. East Harlem is still called El Barrio and it is the main Puerto Rican focus in the city.
There are several events which joined forces to push Puerto Rican from the island and the opportunities which awaited them in New York City. Migration fluctuated according to the requirement of the labor market, drawing those facing critical futures on the island along with the family followers. In the words of the migrants themselves, almost all came in search of opportunity, the chance to make something for themselves and their families. They came on the steamship shuttles between San Juan and New York, ignoring closer destination because New York represented familiarity and better resources. In time, they came by air, becoming the first airborne migration in history. And when they came, particularly to New York City, they formed communities and settlements frequently reflecting those left behind. (2)
