Plaza Wheelwright, Public square in Port District, Valparaíso, Chile.
Plaza Wheelwright, popularly known as Plaza de la Aduana, is a paved square in the Barrio Puerto of Valparaíso, leveled and cobbled in 1858. It is a major road junction toward the city center and western hillside districts such as Playa Ancha and Artillería, and the lower station of the Artillería funicular stands at one side. A monument to Guillermo Wheelwright, commissioned by intendant Francisco Echaurren, was erected in 1877.
The site began as a ship anchorage during the colonial period and later became an administrative port center. Its importance grew during the 1800s with the construction of customs and government buildings nearby.
The square's official name comes from a monument to Guillermo Wheelwright erected in 1877 on the order of intendant Francisco Echaurren. Its older popular name, Plaza de la Aduana, survives from the customs building inaugurated beside it in 1855, when the spot became the country's customs hub.
Plaza Wheelwright is the terminus for numerous Gran Valparaíso bus lines, including routes 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 110, 114, 201–214, 503, 521, 608 and the 801/802 trolleybus services. The lower station of the Ascensor Artillería stands beside the square, giving access to the hillside. The square also works as a road junction toward the centre and toward Playa Ancha and Artillería.
During the 1800s the square served as a terminal for horse-drawn carriage services connecting Valparaíso to the capital city. This was a major transportation link before modern public transit existed.
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